The New Nation - Internet Edition

Death toll in China quake exceeds 18,000

AP

The toll of the dead and missing soared as rescue workers dug through flattened schools and homes on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to find survivors of China's worst earthquake in three decades.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the death toll exceeded 18,000 in Sichuan province alone, and 18,645 were still buried in debris in the city of Mianyang, near the epicenter of Monday's massive, 7.9-magnitude quake.

The Sichuan Daily newspaper reported on its Web site that more than 26,000 people were injured in Mianyang.

The numbers of casualties was expected to rise due to the remoteness of the areas affected by the quake and difficulty in finding buried victims.

There was little prospect that many survivors would be found under the rubble. Only 58 people were extricated from demolished buildings across the quake area so far, China Seismological Bureau spokesman Zhang Hongwei told Xinhua. In one county, 80 percent of the buildings were destroyed.

Rain was impeding efforts and a group of paratroopers called off a rescue mission to the epicenter due to heavy storms, Xinhua reported.

More than two dozen British and American tourists who were thought to be panda-watching in the area also remained missing.

Officials urged the public not to abandon hope.

"Survivors can hold on for some time. Now it's not time to give up," Wang Zhenyao, disaster relief division director at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, told reporters in Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao, who rushed to the area to oversee rescue efforts, said a push was on to clear roads and restore electricity as soon as possible. His visit to the disaster scene was prominently featured on state TV, a gesture meant to reassure people that the ruling party was doing all it could.

"We will save the people," Wen said through a bullhorn to survivors as he toured the disaster scene, in footage shown on CCTV. "As long as the people are there, factories can be built into even better ones, and so can the towns and counties."

State media said rescue workers had reached the epicenter in Wenchuan county - where the number of casualties was still unknown. The quake was centered just north of the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu in central China, tearing into urban areas and mountain villages.

Earthquake rescue experts in orange jumpsuits extricated bloody survivors on stretchers from demolished buildings.

Some 20,000 soldiers and police arrived in the disaster area with 30,000 more on the way by plane, train, trucks and even on foot, the Defense Ministry told Xinhua.

Aftershocks rattled the region for a second day, sending people running into the streets in Chengdu. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the shocks between magnitude 4 and 6, some of the strongest since Monday's quake.

Zhou Chun, a 70-year-old retired mechanic, was leaving Dujiangyan with a soiled light blue blanket draped over his shoulders.

"My wife died in the quake. My house was destroyed," he said. "I am going to Chengdu, but I don't know where I'll live."

Zhou and other survivors were pulling luggage and clutching plastic bags of food amid a steady drizzle and the constant wall of ambulances.

Just east of the epicenter, 1,000 students and teachers were killed or missing at a collapsed high school in Beichuan county - a six-story building reduced to a pile of rubble about two yards high, according to Xinhua. Xinhua said 80 percent of the buildings had collapsed in Beichuan alone.

At another leveled school in Dujiangyan, 900 students were feared dead. As bodies of teenagers were carried out on doors used as makeshift stretchers, relatives lit incense and candles and also set off fireworks to ward away evil spirits.

Elsewhere in Gansu province, a 40-car freight train derailed in the quake that included 13 gasoline tankers was still burning Tuesday, Xinhua said.

Gasoline lines grew in Chengdu and grocery stores shelves were almost empty. The Ministry of Health issued an appeal for blood donations to help the quake victims.

Fifteen missing British tourists were believed to have been in the area at the time of the quake and were "out of reach," Xinhua reported.

They were likely visiting the Wolong Nature Reserve, home to more than 100 giant pandas, whose fate also was not known, Xinhua said, adding that 60 pandas at another breeding center in Chengdu were safe.

Another group of 12 Americans also on panda-watching tour sponsored by the U.S. office of the World Wildlife Fund remained out of contact Tuesday, said Tan Rui, WWF communications officer in China.

Two Chinese-Americans and a Thai tourist also were missing in Sichuan province, the agency said, citing tourism officials.

Expressions of sympathy and offers of help poured in from the United States, Japan and the European Union, among others.

The Dalai Lama, who has been vilified by Chinese authorities who blame him for recent unrest in Tibet, offered prayers for the victims. The epicenter is just south of some Tibetan mountain areas that saw anti-government protests earlier this year.

Beijing Games organizers said the Olympic torch relay will continue as planned through the quake-affected area next month.

The Chinese government said it would welcome outside aid, and Russia was sending a plane with rescuers and supplies, the country's Interfax news agency reported.

But Wang, the disaster relief official, said international aid workers would not be allowed to travel to the affected area.

"We welcome funds and supplies; we can't accommodate personnel at this point," he said.

China's Ministry of Finance said it had allocated $123 million in aid for quake-hit areas.

The quake was China's deadliest since 1976, when 240,000 people were killed in the city of Tangshan, near Beijing in 1976. Financial analysts said the quake would have only a limited impact on the country's booming economy.

What holds back Archaeology Deptt?

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Incompetence, poor management and lack of institutional capacity, skilled manpower and proper legal framework are some reasons holding back the Department of Archaeology, said architects and conservationists.

Over the years the Department has consistently ignored and overlooked hundreds of historical sites in the city on the excuse of lack of funds and manpower. Only Ahsan Manzil is an exception.

Recently, 600-year old Binat Bibi Mosque at Narinda in Dhaka was about to be knocked down by the mosque committee for erecting a 70-foot minaret. Later, the committee and local community were convinced to stop piling for the minaret that was causing vibration, which would have developed cracks in the original structure.

But the officials of the Department remained in the dark about the whole affairs of the mosque. When this correspondent contacted the officials of the Department, some expressed surprise to hear that such an old mosque exists in the city.

Md Shafiqul Alam, Director of the Department of Archaeology, said, "The Binat Bibi Mosque is the oldest structure in Dhaka, according to experts and historians."

When asked why it is not possible to protect the site now, an official of the Department said that they do not 'touch' the structures where religious sentiment is involved and added that the local community will not let us protect these sites. This is one reason we abstain from protecting them. We are unable to protect even those sites listed as protected."

Sadly, whenever the Department of Archaeology was allocated funds to preserve historical sites, in most cases the money was spent to demolish the old structures, experts alleged.

Dr Abu Sayeed M Ahmed, a conservation architect, said, "In Shat-Gambud Mosque in Bagerhat, simple brick and plaster were used to cover 60 columns made of precious basalt stones. The columns, originally slender, were thickened by 30 inches using brick and plaster. It distorted the mosque's original features and squeezed the interior. There was a triangular pediment in front of the mosque which was made circular," he added.

In a project like this, a conservation architect should take the decision, which should be implemented by graduate conservation engineers. But in these projects carried out by the Department of Architecture, diploma engineers are taking the decisions and implementing them.

Satmasjid, a Mughal period mosque in the city, has been whitewashed. It was a total wastage of money because the whitewash is not supposed to last more than a year, said the experts.

"The original white colour was made from shell powder, which created a marble effect. They are not even certain that white was the feature of the Mughal period because some edifice of that era were painted pink. For an example, Niyamatullah Complex in Chapainawabganj," said Dr Sayeed.

Taimur Islam, an architect working to conserve Shankharibazar's old buildings for three years, said, "Shankharibazar is not listed as a protected site."

About the excuse of not protecting religious structures, he said that in the UK, there is a similar rule called 'Ecclesiastical Exemption' according to which the Government can protect some parts of a church and the church authority can renovate some parts.

"It is true that local community can be a problem in protecting these sites but why should we remain silent thinking of these obstacles? We have to go forward and convince them to the last minute so that they come to their senses and think about preserving it," said an activist and conservationist working to save the Binat Bibi mosque. "If we can declare a site 'protected' then the local people can at least feel that it is a part of their national heritage," he added.

About the shortage of skilled manpower at the Department of Archaeology, sources said mostly diploma engineers are working there. But qualified archaeologists and BSc engineers are needed. Fresh graduate archaeologists from Jahangirnagar University should be encouraged to work with the Department, they suggested.

Only nine monuments in the city have been declared as protected sites. But there are many sites in Farashganj, Shankharibazar and Tantibazar, which should be brought to the attention of the Government, said Taimur.

Pre-budget seminar: Diesel, electricity subsidy for farmers urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a pre-budget seminar yesterday urged the government to prioritise employment creation in its fiscal policy and to continue subsidies to farmers on diesel, electricity and fertiliser.

They said high priority should be assigned to rural development, education and health sectors because of their contribution to poverty reduction.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Development Alternative Prof Emazuddin Ahmed spoke as chief guest at the seminar organised by Industrialists and Businessmen Welfare Foundation (IBWF) at the VIP lounge of National Press Club.

Editor of The New Nation Mostafa Kamal Majumder was the special guest at the event.

Prof Emazuddin in his deliberation advocated for the extension of tax holiday facilities beyond June 2008 to promote promising industries and to increase uses of natural gas in industries in lieu of household uses.

The former VC of Dhaka University suggested removal of barriers on business by easing bureaucratic tangles.

He stressed the need for improving skills development facilities for labours so that the country can earn more remittances by sending skilled manpower rather than sending unskilled or semi skilled people abroad.

"There is no alternative to facilitate proper education for development of the nation. So priority on education is a must," he said.

Mostafa Kamal Majumder said the Government's fiscal policy should be aimed at sustainable development of the country. He spoke in favour of protecting cultivable lands that are being occupied for other uses.

"To increase production in one sector, production opportunities in other sectors should not be disturbed -that is happening in the country at present," he said adding, "development should be sustainable."

He suggested increasing participation of people in development activities. "Set people free, so that they can come forward with spontaneous initiatives," he said.

Vice Chairman of Islamic Economics Research Bureau Prof Ayubur Rahman Bhuyan presented the keynote paper at the seminar presided over by senior vice president of IBWF Najir Ahmed.

In his keynote paper, Ayubur Rahman Bhuyan suggested upward adjustment of fuel prices "without fearing public reaction" to mitigate budget deficit in view of soaring prices in the global market

Prof Ayub also suggested increased allocation for science and technology, and power sectors and also to make a block allocation for rehabilitation of Sidr and flood affected sectors like agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

He urged for raising the level of tax-exempt income from the existing Tk 1.50 lakh to Tk 2.50 lakh because of the sharp rise in the cost of living.

He also argued for reducing corporate tax from existing 40 per cent to 30 per cent.

President of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Hoque and Vice president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) M Jamal Uddin also spoke at the seminar, among others.

Journalists demand an end to emergency to protect press freedom

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Editors, other senior journalists and journalist union leaders have demanded that the government ensure press freedom by withdrawing the state of emergency without delay.

The demand came from a joint meeting held at the National Press Club yesterday, preceded by Monday's-both chaired by senior journalist Ataus Samad.

A statement signed by Ataus Samad says: "After the imposition of the state of emergency on January 11 last year, the media have been working with limited right and under pressure of the emergency powers rules that erode fundamental rights."

"It has been noticed that different agencies-military and civilian-have been intervening in the work of the media," the statement says.

"Media do not have freedom in a state of emergency. Regular interference in day-to-day work of the media is not acceptable," the statement says. The meeting also decided to form a committee to overcome the setbacks.

Later Ataus Samad said: "The committee will be formed through discussion."

The meeting pulled in editors, chief news editors of newspapers and the electronic media, representatives of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Dhaka Union of Journalists and the National Press Club. They reviewed the overall situation.

Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Ittefaq editor Rahat Khan, Samokal editor Abed Khan, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha chief editor Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Inqilab editor AMM Bahauddin, The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Bangladesh Observer editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Manavjamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Sangram editor Abul Asad, Jugantor deputy editor Shahjahan Sarder, bdnews24.com's editor-in-chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Amader Shomoy editor Naimul Islam Khan, Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamol Dutta, Channel i chief news editor Saiful Amin, leaders of two factions of BFUJ M Mozammel Haque, Monzurul Ahsan Bulbul and Ruhul Amin Gazi, Dainik Dinkal executive editor Maruf Kamal Khan, journalist leaders Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan and Omar Faruq and Dhaka Reporters Unity general secretary Ilyas Khan were present at either of the meetings.

In a separate joint statement Tuesday, four senior journalists protested "direct and indirect control" over the media.

In the statement they said: "Following in the footsteps of our predecessors in the last phase of our life, we vow to take part in the movement for removing all setbacks to independent journalism."

"We wish present fighters similar success for the freedom of the press as we succeeded in the past," they said.

The signatories to the statement are KG Mustafa, ABM Musa, Nirmal Sen and Kamal Lohani.

Gatco graft case: Khaleda, Koko, 8 ex-ministers among 24 chargesheeted

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday night pressed charges against detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia, her son Arafat Rahman Koko and 22 others, including eight former ministers, in the Gatco graft case.

ACC deputy director Jahirul Huda, the investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet in the high-profile case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) court at about 9:20pm.

The eight ministers of the previous Khaleda government who were charge-sheeted are Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Jamaat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, MK Anwar, M Shamsul Islam, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and AKM Mosharraf Hossain.

These eight ex-ministers and three others were not implicated in the first information report (FIR). ACC deputy director Golam Shahriar Chowdhury filed the FIR with Tejgaon police station on September 2, 2007 against 13 persons.

The three others charge-sheeted along with the ex-ministers are former Shipping secretary Julfiker Haider Chowdhury, former member of Chittagong Port Authority Rashid Uddin Ahmed and Gatco company director Shajahan M Hasib.

The involvement of these additional 11 individuals was found during a two-month long investigation.

The 24 individuals along with the initially accused 13 have been charged with violating tender terms in appointing Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Ltd (GATCO), an indenting house, for container handling at Dhaka Inland Container Depot and the Chittagong Port ICD yard despite its lack of experience and skills.

They have been charged with misuse of power that caused a loss of Tk 14.56 crore to the national exchequre, according to the case statement.

However, it was initially alleged in the first information report that the national exchequre incurred a loss of over Tk 1,000 crore for awarding the work to Gatco.

During the long-running investigation, it was also found that Koko and Ismail Hossain Simon, another accused, made "illegal" financial gains amounting to Tk 2.2 crore in return for giving the tender to Gatco.

The initially accused 13 individuals are Khaleda, Koko, Zulfiqar Ali, AN Sarwar Hossain, Shahdat Hossain, Ahmed Abul Kashem, Lutful Kabir, Ismail Hossain Saimon, Galib Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed, AKM Musa Kajol, Mrs Jahanara Akbar and Ehsan Yusuf.

Among the 24 charge-sheeted individuals, 12 are already in jail while 12 others are out of jail. The investigation officer applied to the court for taking necessary legal measures against those who now are absconding.

The 10-page charge sheet contains 86 witnesses to the case.

Among the 11 individuals who were not implicated in the FIR, two - Dr Mosharraf and AKM Mosharraf - are already in jail, while nine others, including former six ministers - Saifur, Mannan, Nizami, Shamsul, Anwar and Amir Khasru-are out of jail.

Among the initially accused 13 people, 10 have already been arrested and the remaining three are absconding.

The charge-sheet was submitted under sections 409 and 109 of the Penal Code, section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act, 1947 and sections 15 and 19 of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

This is the second charge sheet submitted against Khaleda after her arrest from her Cantonment residence on September 3, 2007 based on this case. The first charge sheet was submitted against her along with 10 others on May 5 in the Niko graft case.

The charge-sheet in Gatco case, however, will be the first against Khaleda's younger son, Koko. Both her sons are now in jail.

ALWC meet adjourned

UNB, Dhaka

The Awami League central working committee meeting that began yesterday was adjourned until today morning without giving any formal reaction to Monday's Chief Adviser's address to the nation.

The meeting began at 5pm at party chief Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi office and was adjourned at 6:45pm. It will resume at 11:00 am Wednesday.

Party senior presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury presided over the meeting due to the absence of its acting president Zillur Rahman for illness.

However, the meeting decided to observe Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day on May 17 countrywide, as restriction on indoor politics across the country has been lifted.

Hasina, who survived the August 15 massacre along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana as they were abroad at that time, returned home from self-exile on May 17, 1981 as president of Awami League.

Briefing reporters, acting AL general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the party would hold discussions meeting on May 18 at Diploma Engineers Institute.

The meeting decided that the working committee members would greet detained Sheikh Hasina at the special jail gate of the parliament building complex on May 17. Party Dhaka City unit will organise a milad mahfil at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the afternoon.

Ashraf urged the party leaders and workers to observe the day with due respect across the country.

Meeting sources told UNB that AL leaders Abdul Mannan, Mahamudur Rahman Manna, Abdul Latif Siddequi, Nurul Islam Nahid, Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin and Adv Fazley Rabbi addressed the meeting.

Terming the CA's address to the nation unacceptable, they said the CA in his address ignored the party's five-point demand. "Under the circumstances, how much it would be wise for the party to participate in the formal dialogue and parliamentary polls," said a source wishing anonymity.

He said they requested the party top leaders not to join the dialogue without Sheikh Hasina.

Reform in political parties stressed

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a function yesterday laid emphasis on reforming political parties with a view to institutionalise democracy in the country.

If we fail to shun the politics of vengeance and violence that prevailed for the last 35 years in the country than we cannot bring young talents in politics, they added.

They said organisational reforms as well as selecting competent party leaders and giving nomination to eligible candidates was a must, otherwise democracy could not be flourished in the country.

Their observation came at a discussion on " Reforms within Political Parties" organised by Bangladesh Heritage Foundation (BHF) at BILIA auditorium in the city.

Wali-ur-Rahman, Chairman, BHF gave the welcome address. It was also attended, among others, by Prof Ataur Rahman, Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University, GM Kader of Jatiya Party, Mahi B Chowdhury, Barrister Ziaur Rahman Khan of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Maj Gen (Retd) AMSA Amin of Awami League and former President of FBCCI Mir Nasir Hossain, Panakaj Bhattacharya of Gono Forum and Shafiqul Gani Swapan.

They said if the next election was held peacefully than it would help in consolidating democracy.

Wali-ur-Rahman said the last parliament had over seventy per cent people from the non-political class.

"If democratic culture within the political parties was restored than it would be possible to establish a democratic culture and tolerance in the country," he mentioned.

Prof Ataur Rahman blamed political parties for abusing power once they assumed power.

'Islam gives women strong legal, financial status'

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar in the city yesterday said participation of the women was needed to ensure the sustainable development of the country, which is central to Islam.

Association for Law Research and Human Rights (ALERT) organised the seminar styled "Women's Rights and Honour in Islam" chaired by its President and lawyer of the Supreme Court Adv Jahangir Alam Khan at the National Press Club.

Former Chief Justice Syed J R Modassir Hossain addressed the function as chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor of Asian University Prof Dr Abul Hasan Muhammad Sadek as special guest. Editor of the daily Naya Diganta Alamgir Mahiuddin, Moulana Kamal Uddin Jaffari and Dr Syeda Sultana Razia, Associate Professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), among others, addressed it.

Former Chief Justice said Islam has given the women a strong and exclusive legal and financial status.

He urged the women to know their real rights, adding that if they understand the Islam, they would know that Islam provided them exclusive rights and a strong financial and legal status ensuring them adequate rights.

Kamal Uddin Jaffari said now the time has come to wage a movement to ensure the women rights which were given to them by Islam.

Criticising the persons who said that woman leadership is forbidden by Islam, he said Islam allows women leadership, if they are qualified.

Prof Matiur Rahman presented keynote paper.

Row over news story ETV suspends journalists

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Private TV station ETV has suspended or terminated 14 journalists on charges of observing work stoppage and neglect of duty.

The journalists denied the charges.

"The (suspended) journalists have been asked to explain their breach of discipline and neglect of duty. The action was taken on clear charges against them," the channel's managing director Ashraful Alam said in a statement yesterday.

A senior official of Ekushey Television on condition of anonymity told bdnews24.com that the journalists, including the head of news, were handed letters and asked not to come to the office until an order of reinstatement was issued.

Refusal by chief news editor Ahmed Zubayer to air a news story was at the heart of the incident.

A notice was served on Zubayer on Sunday after he refused to broadcast the story filed by Gulshan Swapna, a reporter.

Several journalists alleged that the story had actually been dictated by the chairman of the company, Abdus Salam.

Salam refused to comment, when approached by bdnews24.com.

When other journalists came to know about the incident Monday, they observed a four-hour work stoppage from midday.

Monday's 5 pm news bullet was not aired.

The suspended journalists are preparing to hold a press conference, one of the reporters said.

A senior ETV reporter, asking not to be named, said the notice was also served on head of news Shah Alamgir, chief reporter Shakil Ahmed, news presenter Majumder Jewel, business reporters Nazneen Munni and Rahnuma Sharmin, and diplomatic correspondent Jhumur Bari.

Reporters Farhana Rahman and Biswajit Das are also facing the suspension order.

Senior reporter Farzana Rupa was terminated.

Shakil termed the incident of suspension sad and told bdnews24.com: "An organisation usually has different types of people. Such a decision at the instigation of some people is harmful to any organisation."

He said: "We started work with Ekushey Television with much hope. We reached this place through much sacrifice. So we hope the authorities will withdraw their decision."

During the work stoppage at 5.30pm Monday, the chairman of the company, Abdus Salam, went to the office and allegedly asked the journalists to leave the newsroom in an hour.

BCL deplores CA's address

DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of Awami League, staged a demonstration on the Dhaka University campus yesterday deploring the Chief Adviser's address to the nation delivered on Monday.

A large number of BCL activists participated in the demonstration that started from Modhu`s canteen and ended at the Aparajeyo Bangla of the university. Later, a rally was held at the Battala near Arts Building.

Addressing the rally, BCL president Mahmud Hasan Ripon said the nation could not accept the address of the Chief Adviser, in which there was no proper guideline for the nation.

"The Chief Adviser did not say anything about the release of two party chiefs. So, how will he revive democracy in the country? " he questioned.

He said the nation hoped that they would get something good from his address but it accelerated their depression even further.

BCL leader Golam Sarwar Kabir, Imdad Howlader, Jasim Uddin, DU Unit president Sheikh Sohel Rana Tipu, general secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha, among others, spoke the programme.

Car burning : Students demand withdrawal of cases

DU Correspondent

The seven students of Dhaka University charged with involvement in campus unrest in August last year urged the Government to withdraw their cases.

They said at a press conference at Modhu`s canteen that although they were not involved in the Army car torching incident, the Government had decided to conduct the case.

If the Government does not withdraw the case their future will be in jeopardy and also they have no financial ability to bear the cost of defending themselves in the case, they claimed.

1,011 MWs power to be added to national grid by year-end

BSS, Dhaka

A total of 1,011 mega watts (MWs) of power will be added to the national grid by the end of this year, an official source said.

Of the total power to be added, 330 MWs will be added from the public sector and the rest 681 MWs from the private sector.

A source of the Power Development Board (PDB) said, for overcoming power shortage in the country within the shortest possible time, the government made arrangements to rent power and also initiate some short term and long term power generation projects.

The works on setting up power generation stations at both public and private initiatives are going on, it added.

The rental power stations in phases would start generating power this month, the PDB source said adding that the generation of power has already started at Bogra 20 MW rental power station.

The government undertook initiatives of setting up of three power stations under its short-term power generation scheme. These units are Khulna 40 MW power station, Kumargaon 50 MW unit and Shahjibazar 50 MW unit.

Pak govt in turmoil, 9 ministers resign

BBC Online

Nine ministers from a leading party in Pakistan's new coalition have handed in their resignations, plunging the country into political uncertainty.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif decided to pull his PML-N out of government because it had failed to meet a promise to reinstate judges sacked by President Musharraf.

The resignations, which the prime minister has yet to accept, follow landmark general elections in February.

Coalition leaders deny the six-week-old government is in danger of collapse.

But analysts have called the pull-out a huge set-back that could lead to growing instability.

Let's do a last-minute effort so that this issue is somehow resolved

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the move has raised fears of another round of political turbulence in Pakistan.

She says further cracks in the alliance may give a lease of life to pro-Musharraf parties which were defeated in recent elections.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is waiting until Zardari returns from abroad before accepting the resignations, an aide said.

Sharif and his main coalition partner, Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Zardari, say they will continue working together while trying to resolve differences over how to reinstate deposed judges.

The judges' issue should be put on back burner and other issues like state of economy and energy crisis should be addressed. Zafar, Lahore

Our correspondent says Sharif lost patience after a second deadline was missed on Monday.

He has said his party will continue to support the government on an issue-by-issue basis.

"We will not become part of any conspiracy to destabilise the democratic process," he said on Monday.

But Sharif also said his party would join lawyers in protest, demanding that the government reinstate the judges.

Our correspondent says the restoration of the judges is opposed by President Musharraf who sees them as hostile to his rule.

Analysts say he would welcome a split in the coalition, which has sidelined him since winning elections in February.

A split would also reinforce a perception that Zardari is working with the unpopular president.

Reinstating the judges was one of Sharif's key election promises and his condition for joining the coalition.

He wants the judges to be given their jobs back without conditions.

Zardari says their reinstatement should be part of a larger package of constitutional amendments which would include reducing their powers.

President Musharraf sacked about 60 judges - some sitting in the Supreme Court - in November 2007, after declaring a state of emergency.

The Supreme Court had been due to rule on whether his re-election was legal.

It had also been due to rule on a controversial amnesty covering Zardari and his wife Benazir Bhutto, who was later assassinated.

Analysts say the coalition parties are deeply politically divided - the Pakistan People's Party wanted to avoid a confrontation with the president, while Nawaz Sharif was prepared for one.