The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Lt Gen (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdury said yesterday the on-going anti-corruption drive might be facing a challenge if it did not get spontaneous co-operation of all sections of people after the lifting of the state of emergency.

He pointed out that the anti-corruption drive is now getting all-out co-operation of the people. Corruption and terrorism are a disgrace for the country and bring shame to the nation, he added.

He was addressing a seminar styled "the Role of the Lawyers in Uprooting Corruption and Terrorism" organised by Bangladesh Lawyers' Forum (BLF) at Dhaka Engineers' Institute in the city.

Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Prof Dr Muzaffar Ahmed, Inspector General (IG) of Police Nur Mohammad, Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Hasan Masud Khandoker, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council

Khandoker Mahbub Hossain, among others, addressed the seminar. BLF Convener Adv Abu Jahid Sento chaired it.

Adv Rafiqul Islam Mahedi presented the keynote paper at the function.

Hasan Mashud Chowdhury hoped that all professionals in the law and justice sector will continue to lend their support to the anti-corruption drive.

"We can firmly say that we are not being influenced by any one in our crusade against corruption, he mentioned.

Prof Muzaffar Ahmed said if corruption was not uprooted from the courts the people of the country would be deprived of justice.

He said corruption has permeated all sections in the society including the education sector.The ways and systems that promote corruption in the scoeity should be changed and reformed. Reforms in the country's administrative system are also the crying need of the hour, he stressed.

IG of Police Nur Mohammad said only good governance could ensure the rule of the law.

He urged all to play a brave role in eliminating corruption and terrorism from the society.

DG of RAB Hasan Masud Khandoker said holistic approach was needed to contain and eradicate corruption and terrorism.

He said the law and order situation has improved considerably across the country during the last 16 months.

Advocate of the Supreme Court ABM Nurul Islam said, "Poverty breeds corruption. If people are provided with basic needs such as food, education, medicare and housing, the degree of corruption would come down by at least 50 percent."

He further said that anti-people and unethical laws introduced during the British period needed immediate change and amendments. Most of the laws on corruption are defective, he claimed.