The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Bangladesh Sanglap in Dhaka today

Dhaka residents will have the chance again to put their questions directly to politicians and leading opinion formers during the next episode of the BBC World Service's Bangladesh Sanglap today, (May 10).

Bangladesh Sanglap is a platform for debate about a variety of current issues affecting and confronting the country and society as a whole.

The 37th edition of the Bangladesh Sanglap, involving a four-member panel and invited audiences of around 150 members of the public, will take place at the Media Center of Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka.

Former caretaker government adviser retired Major General Moinul Hossain Chowdhury, former adviser to the Energy Ministry during the BNP-led coalition government Mahmudur Rahman, Environment Affairs Secretary of Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud and Professor of Sociology at Dhaka University Dr Mahbuba Nasrin will answer to questions and debate issues raised by members of the audience.

The recording of the programme to be presented and moderated by Kamal Ahmed of the BBC Bangla Service will be started at 5.45 pm.

The event is recorded and then broadcast on radio and television. Last year, more than 17 million people tuned in to learn more about what is going on in Bangladesh politics and social affairs.

The ongoing Bangladesh Sanglap series is produced by the BBC Bangla Service in conjunction with the BBC World Service Trust. It will be broadcast on BBC Bangla radio at 8.00pm on Sunday and telecast on Channel-i television at 8:00pm on Monday.

For more information about Bangladesh Sanglap, or to enquire about tickets, contact BBC Bangla Service on mobile phone number 0181 940 7030 fax 02-8651660 or email: bengali@bbc.co.uk

Suspended DMCH employee stabbed to death in city

UNB, Dhaka

A suspended employee of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) was stabbed to death at Karwan Bazar area in the city early Friday.

The dead was identified as Hafizur Rahman Liton, 30. He was a fourth class employee of the DMCH and suspended one year ago for lifting medicine.

Liton was wanted in four/five cases, including extortion and repression on women.

Family sources said some four to five friends, including Kishna Sohel, called Liton out of his DMCH Staff Quarter at Thursday midnight. But he did not return home.

Police found Liton's body at about 3:30am in Karwan Bazar area and recovered it.

Police said the assailants stabbed Liton to death and left the body near the bazar area.

The body was sent to hospital morgue for autopsy. A case was filed with the police.

Police suspected that Liton might have been killed following past enmity.

Gatco case: Jamaat concerned over chargesheet against Khelada, Nizami

UNB, Dhaka

Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid has expressed deep concern over the approval of a charge sheet against detained BNP chairperson Khelada Zia and his party Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami in the Gatco corruption case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission Thursday approved the charge sheet against Khaleda Zia, Nizami and others in the graft case.

In a statement Friday, the Jamaat leader described the charge sheet as baseless, false and politically motivated.

Mujahid, also a former minister, hoped that all the allegations brought against the two leaders would be proved wrong. "No conspiracy can alienate them from people," he said.

Drive against vehicles taking excess fare on

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is carrying out a special drive against vehicles charging excess fare as well as those running without valid documents in the city.

During the last seven days, an official Handout said, the Authority filed cases against 797 vehicles and seized 59. The seized vehicles have been kept in the police stations concerned.

The campaign was conducted in 28 spots on important roads of Dhaka Metropolitan City during the period.

Besides, mobile courts realised Taka 158,000 in fines by filing cases against 75 vehicles.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police is aiding the BRTA in its drive, the release said.

Deduction of trade gap with Pakistan discussed

BSS, Islamabad

Foreign Adviser Dr. Ifekhar Ahmed Chowdhury called on Minister for Commerce Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Information Minister Sherry Rehman here on Thursday and on both occasions the need for greater bilateral cooperation was stressed.

During the discussion, the commerce minister emphasised the need for addressing the trade imbalance which is in favour of Pakistan.

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury proposed larger imports from Bangladesh, particularly of raw jute, jute goods, pharmaceuticals and ceramics for all of which there is potentially a large Pakistani market.

It was agreed that lack of direct shipping links posed an impediment to trade. It was thought that the Joint Business Council could meet to "brainstorm" the issue and examine the possibilities of leasing vessels for dedicated Karachi-Chittagong routes and vice versa.

The possibility of an elimination or reduction of tariffs on both sides on a number of specific items for a short period as "early harvest" leading to an eventual Free Trade Agreement was considered worth examining. It was thought that some innovative ideas were necessary to bring "trade relations at par with the excellent political relations."

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury requested Commerce Minister Abbasi, who belongs to PML (N) party, to convey greetings of the Bangladesh people to Mian Nawaz Sharif.

The foreign adviser who had met the Co-Chairperson of the PPP Asif Ali Zardari but could not meet Chairman PML(N) Nawaz Sharif, the partner in the coalition government, as the latter was in London.

The Information Minister Sherry Rahman, who is also the spokesperson of the PPP, briefed the foreign adviser on the various policies being adopted by the coalition government in Pakistan.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Yasmeen Murshed hosted a dinner in honour of the foreign adviser which was attended by a number of guests including federal ministers, senators, parliamentarians, senior officials, journalists and business leaders.