The New Nation - Internet Edition

GATCO graft case: Bhuiyan, Nizami may surrender today

Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan

Motiur Rahman Nizami

Staff Reporter

Former secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami are likely to surrender before the court today (Thursday) in GATCO scam case, informed sources said yesterday.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday framed charges against 25 people including former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, her son Arafat Rahman Koko, Motiur Rahman Nizami, M Saifur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyan, M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

They 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 mnational exchequer, according to the case statement.

The investigation officer 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.

Meanwhile, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court for Dhaka yesterday sent the chargesheet in the GATCO scam case to a senior special judge's court. However, the court did not issue any order.

Mohammad Zahirul Huda, Deputy Director of ACC and investigative officer of the case, submitted the chargesheet against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and 24 others to the CMM's Court for Dhaka on Tuesday. Earlier, the ACC has given the approval to submit the charge sheet.

Among others, the other top politicians include former ministers Motiur Rahman Nizami, M Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

The Investigative officer told reporters that 12 accused in the case were shown fugitives.

Joint forces have arrested Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Arafat Rahman Koko with ties to the case. Saifur Rahman went to Singapore for treatment.

The Anticorruption Commission filed the case on September 2 last year with Tejgaon Police Station against 13 people alleging that GATCO's contract to run the container depot at Chittagong Port was illegal.

It is also alleged that the government incurred more than Tk 1,000 crore in losses because of the GATCO deal.

The case was brought under the emergency powers rules on September 17.

The case record shows that a tender was floated on March 1, 2003 to appoint a contractor for the container depots at Chittagong Port and Kamalapur Rail station.

The accused awarded the tender to GATCO though the concerned company failed to meet all the conditions.

Eight killed in Ashuganj train accident

A train was badly damaged as it was hit by another
train at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, on Tuesday night.
FocusBangla

UNB, Brahmanbaria

The death toll in Tuesday night's fatal train accident at Ashuganj rail-station on the Dhaka-Chittagong route rose to 8 with the recovery of two more bodies Wednesday while the injury figure climbed over 50.

One of the dead was identified as Tajul Islam, a guard of Noakhali Express, one of two trains that collided in the accident, while the rest could not still be identified.

Train communications on Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet routes resumed 11.30am, 11 hours after the late-night tragic accident.

Police said the accident took place at about 00:20am when Sylhet-bound 'Upaban Express' from Dhaka rammed into the 'Noakhali Express' standing at the station, leaving six of the stationary train' s passengers dead on the spot.

Fifty-four other passengers of the 'Noakhali Express' were also injured in the accident that left two of its rear bogies mangled and the engine of the 'Upaban Express' damaged partially.

Of the injured, two died at Ashuganj Health Complex early yesterday morning while the rest were admitted to the health complex and other hospitals and clinics.

Sources said all the employees of the Ashuganj railway station, including its stationmaster, went into hiding after the accident.

A railway inquiry team from Dhaka started investigating the accident.

Bangladesh Railway today formed a four-member committee headed by Chief Operating Superintendent Shah Jahirul Huda for a thorough investigation.

"The committee has been asked to submit its report within 48 hours," said a BR high official of the railway's eastern zone.

Meanwhile, the GM office of the eastern zone, in an order today, suspended four employees in a punitive action for the accident. They are Upaban Express' loco-master Kabir, assistant loco-master Saidul Islam and its guard, and Ashuganj stationmaster Humayun Kabir.

Communications Secretary Mahbubur Rahman visited the scene and the injured people undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital.

CA’s invitation for dialogue: Parties set conditions

Shahidul Islam

With the Chief Adviser's Office yesterday completed sending the invitation letters to all political parties, listed on the basis of pre-dialogue sittings and the Election Commission's (EC's) talks with them, senior leaders of the major political parties started tightening their belts by setting up tough pre-conditions for their participation in the ensuing formal dialogue with the Government.

The BNP and Awami League (AL) yesterday put identical pre-conditions, which called for the release of their respective party Chiefs-two detained Prime Ministers-BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and AL President Sheikh Hasina and allow the two top lady politicians to take part in the dialogue, sending a bleak message about the success of the moot.

The formal dialogue will begin on May 22 at the Chief Advisers office as per his Monday's announcement through address to the nation. The highest seven member delegation from each of the political parties was invited to join the talks.

The Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) yesterday sent the invitation letters to the Awami League (AL), both groups of the BNP, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jamaat-e-Islami, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Gano Forum (GF), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), National Awami Party (NAP-Mozaffar), JSD (Rob), BSD (Khaleque), Islami Shashantanra Andolan, Khelafat Majlish Khelafat Andolan, Kalyan Party and the UPR, among over 20 other political parties.

Earlier on Tuesday, the CAO sent invitation to six political parties-Workers Party (WP), CPB, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), JSD (Inu), Shamyobadi Dal and Sramik Krishak Janata League (KSJL).

The CAO also sent a copy of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed address to the nation, delivered on Monday evening, along with the invitation letters to each of the political parties.

Meanwhile, the five Advisers, who were entrusted to prepare ground for the dialogue and carried out the pre-dialogues, yesterday at a meeting decided that the Chief Adviser's Office would be venue for the formal talks between the political parties and the Government, as Chief Adviser Dr Fakruddin Ahmed is likely to attend some of the sittings.

Justifying his party's pre-condition after receiving the invitation letters, AL Acting General Syed Asharful Islam said the demand was raised as per a decision of a two-day meeting of the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) concluded with party Acting President Zillur Rahman in the chair yesterday.

He did not give a direct answer when asked whether the AL was boycotting the dialogue if Sheikh Hasina was not released and allowed to join the talks. But, he hastened to add, "The ALCWC will meet again anytime within a day or two to take a decision on the dialogue. But, most of the party leaders are of the opinion that a National Charter can never be mapped out in the dialogue if Sheikh Hasina does not participate in it since she is the one, who represents the people and the AL."

When asked, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain reiterated his previous stance saying, "Dialogue without the participation of the detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-will be a meaningless exercise and pre-destined to fail."

He said he would again apply to the jail authorities to allow him to meet Begum Zia in the prison to take directives from her about the party's position on dialogue. He would not say whether his party would boycott the talks or not.

JP Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said party Chairman HM Ershad would take the final decision in consultation with other leaders on the dialogue. We are in favour of joining the talks, he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, at a press conference earlier in the afternoon, dropped a broad hint that his party might boycott the dialogue if he was arrested in the GATCO scam case. "The Chief Adviser has failed to create 'proper' atmosphere for dialogue through address to the nation."

However, leaders of the BNP reformists, BDB, GF, PDP, IOJ, JSD (Rob), UPR and CPB told The New Nation that they would join the dialogue in order to ensure smooth transition to democracy and elected governance.

Earlier, like the previous day, senior officials of the CAO yesterday handed over the invitation letters, which requested each of the party to send names of five to seven-member delegation for the dialogue, in person to the General Secretary or Secretary General of each of the political, in most cases at their respective residences.

The officials dispatched the letters to AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and BNP (anti-reform) Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain at their NAM Flat residence, BNP (reformist) Acting Secretary General Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, LDP Secretary General Prof Jahanara Begum and GF Acting General Secretary Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, among others parties.

"We have completed inviting the political party leaders," Syed Fahim Munaim, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser told The New Nation yesterday night.

Earlier, in the afternoon after the meeting of five advisers, Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said the Chief Adviser's Office was finalised as the venue for the dialogue. "

The advisers' meeting was held at LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal's office. The four other advisers are Communications Adviser Maj General (retd) Golam Kader, Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Law Advisor AF Hassan Ariff and Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman.

The Commerce Adviser said that invitation letters for the dialogue have already been sent to all the political parties.

"Keeping in mind that list of the political parties, we are sending the letters," Dr Hossain Zillur said, adding, "We are working to make the dialogue meaningful."

He said it has not yet decided as to who should be invited from the civil society to sit in dialogue with the Government. He, however, dropped a broad hint that those participated in the pre-dialogue sessions might be invited to join the formal dialogue.

Practice of democracy in political parties stressed

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a function yesterday laid emphasis on practicing democratic culture within political parties with a view to institutionalising democracy in the country.

Democracy cannot get strong footings if there were no strong political parties. Only political stability guarantee's national development and investment, they added.

Democratic cultures need to be established within the political parties for cultivating the spirit of tolerance and accommodation in politics, they noted.

They were speaking at a roundtable on " Democratic Practice within Political Parties in Bangladesh " organised by online newspaper the Editor at CIRDAP auditorium in the city.

Selim Omrao Khan, editor of the online newspaper Editor presided over function while Dr Shamim Haider Talukder its Managing Editor, moderated the roundtable. Former Awami League minister Prof Abu Sayeed presented the keynote paper.

Abdur Razzak, Presidium Member of Awami League, Gayeshwarchandra Roy, Joint General Secretary of BNP, Hasanul Huq Inu, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Mujahidul Islam Selim, General Secretary, Communist Party of Bangladesh, GM Kader of Jatiya Party, Naimul Islam Khan, editor of the daily Amadershomoy, Nurul Islam of Democratic Party, Dr Shahdin Malik, President of Gonotantri Party and Shirin Akter, President, Karmojibi Nari among others, took part in the discussion.

Most of the speakers were of the view that politics sans violence and vengeance and practice of democracy within political parties will inspire young talents to join politics for the good of the country.

They were highly critical of political parties for shunning democratic practices and depending on particular person on decision-making matters.

Organisational reforms, selection of competent party leaders and giving nomination to capable candidates are a must, otherwise, democracy would not be flourished in the country, they observed.

They said majority of MPs in the last parliament were not political persons.

They called upon political parties not to give nomination to black money holders, corrupt persons, anti social elements and war criminals.

Abdur Razzak said Awami League is the only party which follows democratic culture despite some minor lapses. He suggested establishing democracy at all levels of the state.

Gayeshwarchandra Roy said reforms of political parties and democratic exercise are necessary and it should be done in a democratic way. He called upon the Government not to dictate political parties for reforms.

Hasanul Huq Inu said there is democracy in his party. He urged the Government to hold a free, fair and participatory election in the country.

Mujahidul Islam Selim said people need to be politically conscious, otherwise all the efforts for reforming political parties would go in vain.

Prof Abu Sayeed said democratic exercise is must a within the political parties. He suggested audit on the income and expenditure of leaders of the parties and giving nomination to the candidates for the election on the recommendation of the party leaders at the grassroots level.

He said good governance, accountability, transparency and collective leadership among the political parties are important for establishing a sustainable democracy.

"The event of 1/11 has given paved the way to establish neutral Election Commission, independence of Judiciary, National Security Council and arrest corrupt people and plunderers of public wealth," he mentioned.

Shahjahan Omar jailed for 13 yrs, wife for 3 yrs

Shahjahan Omar

Staff Reporter

A special court yesterday sentenced BNP leader and former state minister for law Barrister Shahjahan Omar to 13 years' imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information on his wealth to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Judge Khondker Kamal Uzzaman of the Special Judge Court-9, housed at Jatiya Sangsad Complex, also fined him Tk 10 lakh, in default to suffer one year more in prison.

The court also sentenced his wife Mehjabin Farzana to three years' imprisonment for assisting her husband in committing corruption. At the same time, the court fined her Tk 5 lakh, in default, to suffer six more months in prison.

The court ordered confiscation of Shahjahan Omar's property worth Tk 2.06 crore to the state coffers, which he earned illegally.

Both Shahjahan Omar and his wife Mehjabin Farzana are absconding.

"The sentences will come into effect after his arrest or surrender to the court, say's the court order.

The court also acquitted Shahjahan Omar's son Adnan Omar as the charges brought against him could not be proved.

ACC assistant director Sheikh Mesbahuddin filed the case against the convicts with the Gulshan Police Station of the city on September 27 last year. In the FIR of the case it was stated that the accused concealed the information of wealth worth Tk 46.18 lakh in their wealth statement submitted to the ACC. Besides, they amassed wealth worth Tk 2.06 crore through illegal means.

Meanwhile, another special court jailed former Awami League MP Makbul Hossain's son Masudur Rahman for 13 years for similar charge. He was also tried in absentia.

Judge Sirajul Islam also fined him Tk 10 lakh in default of to suffer one year more in jail. The court ordered confiscation of his property worth over five crore.

On May 6 a special court sentenced Makbul to 13 years imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information about his wealth. His wife Fatema Tahera Khanom was also jailed for three years for aiding and abetting her husband in protecting the ill-gotten property.

'No compensation can restore Lawachhara forest’

Staff Reporter

Environmentalists and experts at a discussion meeting in the city said no compensation for damages inflicted to the Lawachhara Protected Forest by the US-based company Chevron's 3D seismic survey could restore the area.

The meeting on 'Rare Biodiversity in Lawachhara Protected Forest: Our Remedies' was held at Dhaka Reporters Unity jointly organised by Save Environment Movement and Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA).

Ronald Halder, a well-known ornithologist, in his digital presentation said, "The Lawachhara rainforest forest is the home to 300 out of 600 bird species of the country. There is no other forest in the country where such a large number of birds live in close proximity. Due to the seismic survey the breeding of the wild animals will be hampered. As a result, most of the wild animals including seasonal birds will deplete. No compensation can overcome the problem."

Prof Rafiqur Rahman, President of Co-management Committee of Nishorgo in Lawachhara, said, "When environmentalists, development activists, media personnel and local people are protesting against any kind of non-environmental activities in Lawachhara forest, some unscrupulous persons and organisations are involved in assisting Chevron to continue its activities in the protected forest area," and added, "We should identify the persons involved in such activities."

Iqbal Kabir of BELA said the Government in one hand was spending lakhs of taka for protecting and developing the forests across the country, on the other hand the Government agencies are silently cooperating some foreign multinational companies to run their activities.

"We should save our forests for our own interest. It is important to develop our forest areas rather than cooperate with foreign oil and energy companies," said Iqbal.

Abu Naser Khan, environmentalist, said, "We want to extract oil or gas for people's interest."

Speakers urged the Government to stop such non-environmental activities of Chevron in Lawachhara forest.

Restriction on vehicles’ movement on Meghna Bridge from today

Staff reporter

Movement of heavy vehicles through Meghna-Gomti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chittagong High Way will be restricted from today because of urgent repairing work.

The repairing work will take one and a half months.

"During the repairing work, the half portion of the breadth the bridge will remain blocked and other portion will be open for heavy vehicles as one-way route.

Light vehicles from Kachpur or Maynamoti will have to use Bhairab Bridge as alternative." Said Sanawal Haque, Executive Engineer of Roads and Highway Department of Narayanganj.

IAEA to help Bangladesh set up nuke power plant

Staff Reporter

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will extend technical assistance and support to power-starved Bangladesh to set up nuclear power plants.

A three-member delegation of the Bangladeshi Government with nuclear scientists, headed by Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Information Technology SM Wahiduzaman left for Vienna, Austria recently at the invitation of IAEA, said a senior official of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

According to him, the delegation will have talks with IAEA officials for three days from Wednesday for setting up a nuclear power plant of 1,000 MW. He said the plant would cost over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

Russia, France and Korea and several other countries are interested in financing the nuclear plant, he added.

Bangladesh is among eight developing countries, which were approved by the IAEA last year to set up nuclear power plants. Two IAEA officials visited Bangladesh last year and they assured Bangladesh of technical assistance.

Tk 1,000cr granted for fuel import

Staff Reporter

Fund-strapped Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has been granted Tk 1,000 crore to help finance its oil imports, official sources said Wednesday.

The Finance Ministry approved the fund on Monday last on condition that the money must be spent only on oil imports, Energy Secretary Mohammad Mohsin told newsmen yesterday. BPC will have to pay an annual 3 per cent interest on the loan.

Earlier in April the government lent BPC Tk 1,000 crore for the same purpose at same conditions.

The government had earlier rolled out loans through bonds with a 5 per cent interest rate.

Mohsin said, BPC's "financial condition was miserable", as fuel prices kept rising on the international market. Oil rose to record US$124 a barrel on the international market.

BPC sought Tk 7,000 crore to finance oil imports for June to December.

Considering the continuous loss of the BPC as well as state subsidies, the government recently decided to raise fuel price. The government is now fixing the new rate of fuel oil, which is likely to be announced very soon.

The state-run petroleum corporation owes Tk 3,200 crore to different banks. In the last fiscal year, BPC had a Tk 3,500 crore deficit because of a wide gap between import bills and subsidised fuel prices.

The government had earlier repaid Tk 5,700 crore in liabilities of BPC to local banks. To this effect the government had to allocate special funds in the last budget.

BPC statistics say, the government pays Tk 35 in subsidy for a litre of diesel and Tk 34 for kerosene. The BPC was making profit by selling octane before. But it is now giving subsidy for octane, too.

Nizami demands release of Khaleda, Hasina

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami yesterday said the political dialogue initiated by the Caretaker Government would not be meaningful keeping the two leaders-Begum Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina-in jail.

"There is no alternative to the release of the two leaders for the sake of an election acceptable to all," he said while addressing a press conference at party's central office in the city.

He observed that the release of Khaleda and Hasina on bail would not disrupt the process of their trial in graft cases.

The Jamaat chief, who, among others, was charge sheeted in the GATCO corruption case, said he was not worried about the corruption cases against him at all.

He said he was not involved in any corruption or crime but he has been implicated in more than one case falsely.

Asked whether the Jamaat would take part in the government-sponsored dialogue, he avoided a direct reply saying, "We have not yet received invitation for the dialogue and decision will be taken in time."

Maulana Nizami, also a former minister, called upon the government to announce the specific date of the general election to dispel doubts in the minds of the people.

He also called for holding the national election by October instead of third week of December. He observed that the general elections should be held before elections to the local bodies.

Criticising the Election Commission (EC) for delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the Jamaat chief said it has complicated its tasks by carrying out the delimitation activities.

He called upon all patriotic politicians to rise above the narrow party interest on national issues for the greater interest of the country.

Maulana Nizami placed a 13-point recommendations including withdrawal of cases against political leaders, release of all those detained during the emergency, finalisation of voter list by June and keep the media free from interference.

Among others, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, Abdul Quader Mollah and Barrister Abdur Razzak were present at the press conference.

Robbery in Ctg: AC Mofazzal among 3 cops chargesheeted

Chittagong Correspondent

Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Panslaish zone here at Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Abu Saleh Mohammed Mofazzal Haque and two of his orderlies were charge-sheeted in a sensational robbery case.

The orderlies of the police big shot were identified as Constable Ehsanul Islam and driver Abdur Rauf.

Incumbent AC of Panchlaish Zone and Investigating Officer (IO) of the case Syed Mezbah

Uddin submitted the chargesheet before Chief Judicial Metropolitan Magistrate Court yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner Mofazzal and his two orderlies allegedly looted valuables from the apartment travel agency owner Faruque Ahmed Chowdhury at city's Amirbag Residential Area under Kotwali police station on February 9 this year.

The victim recorded a case with Kotwali police station against the three policemen on February 11 accusing them of robbery. They allegedly looted valuables worth half a million including cash.

Top officials at the CMP approved the AC and his orderlies arrest after primary investigation. Police officials also recovered some of the looted goods from the possession of the accused.

Two of the three derailed policemen were detained at Chittagong central jail after necessary questioning. The CMP authorities temporarily relieved the policemen from their respective jobs.

Officer-in Charge of Kotwali police station Mohammed Nurul Islam was initially made the investigation officer (IO) of the case which was later handed over to the incumbent AC of Panchlaish zone Mezbah Uddin.

A total of 32 persons have been made witnesses in the charge sheet of the case.

Council of Advisers approves Upazila Parishad Ordinance

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government yesterday approved in principle the Upazila Parishad Ordinance 2008 to create two seats of vice-chairman in the local-government body, one reserved for women.

The ordinance provides that the chairman and two vice-chairmen of the Upazila Parishad will be directly elected by voters. Union Parishad Chairmen, Municipal Mayors and elected women members to the reserved seats of wards under the upazila concerned would be members of the Upazila Parishad.

A meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair sent the draft of the ordinance in the light of some suggestions for vetting by the Law Ministry and asked for placing it again before the council "as soon as possible".

Under the new ordinance, dispute regarding election can not be filed in any other court except for election tribunal. The election tribunal and election appellate tribunal will have to dispose of the dispute cases within a fixed timeframe.

The complaint will have to be placed with the election tribunal within 30 days of gazette notification and the tribunal has to dispose of the case within 180 days.

The litigant can further appeal against tribunal verdict within 30days while the appellate tribunal will have to dispose it of in 120 days.

"If upazila parishad chairman or vice-chairmen hold any post at any level of any political party, he or she will have to resign before taking oath," says the new law, being made ahead of election to the revived local body.

The candidates for upazila parishad election will have to submit declaration that the person is not disqualified for election in submitting nomination papers. The candidates will have to submit their wealth statement before being sworn in.

Provision has been kept in the ordinance that if the outgoing upazila parishad failed to hand over office to the incoming elected parishad in presence of a first-class magistrate, then maximum 3 years.

imprisonment and maximum Tk 20,000 in fines will be awarded to the delinquents.

"If anyone is accused as war criminal by national or international tribunal, they would be disqualified for contesting the upazila parishad election like other local elections," says the ordinance.

The council of advisers also approved amendment to the National Board of Revenue Order 1972. As a result, the government can appoint Secretary or Additional Secretary to the government as chairman of the NBR.

In the existing rule, the NBR chairman is appointed by the government from the members of the National Board of Revenue.

Advisers and special assistants to the Chief Adviser attended the meeting at the CA's office. Cabinet.

Secretary, CA's press secretary and secretaries concerned were also present.

BNP unity at final stage

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The unity process between two factions of the BNP, popularly known as pro-Khaleda and pro-reformist, is now at the final stage and an announcement in this regard may come at any time, informed sources said.

Hectic meetings among the senior leaders of both the factions are being held at different places in the city for the last couple of days to formulate the unity process.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday told reporters that the unity process is at the final stage and a joint declaration will be announced anytime.

Earlier, he held a meeting with pro-reformist leader and former minister Dr Osman Farruk at a residence of a BNP leader at Gulshan.

Dr Osman Farruk termed the meeting fruitful and said the unity is a matter of time.

"You will see the unity soon," he said.

Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman, coordinator of pro-reformist faction of BNP said, the BNP would be united and we will join the dialogue together.

Meanwhile, Dhaka City Mayor and BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka and ZA Khan yesterday met with former secretary general of the party Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and talked about the unity process.

The outspoken BNP leader Hannan Shah had taken the fresh unity move following the statement of Saifur Rahman, acting president of reformist faction, that he is no longer chairman of the party rather Begum Zia is the Chairperson of the BNP.

As part of the move he has held an exclusive meeting with Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and discussed the unity process.

Sources said, the reformist factions has agreed to cancel the decision of October 29 meeting from where the reformist faction was created.