The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nizami in jail: Chiefs of 3 key parties now behind the bar

Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami being
taken to Dhaka Central Jail after he was produced before
court on Monday. Banglar Chokh

Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra Shibir activists
intercepting the police vehicles while the law enforcers
carrying the Jamaat chief Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami after
arresting him from his Maghbazar residence on Sunday night.
Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Former Minister and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in GATCO corruption case was sent to jail after he was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court yesterday morning.

The court simultaneously ordered jail authorities to provide Nizami division in jail and make necessary arrangements for his medical treatment.

Lawyers said when Nizami was produced before the court of magistrate Md Waliul Islam, the Jamaat leader told the court, "If one has to go to jail for being the member of the government's purchase committee, none in future will want to be its member. A government cannot run in this way."

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief was produced in the courtroom of magistrate Md Waliul Islam at 9:47am. An hour later, a prison van carrying Nizami left the court for Dhaka Central Jail.

When Nizami was taken to the court-room, he sat on a bench on the first row. Senior police officers requested his lawyers to take the accused to the dock saying: "Mr Nizami is an arrestee; he is not here to surrender."

Nizami's lawyers protested it, saying Awami League president Sheikh Hasina was also allowed to sit in the lawyers' corner when she was brought into the courtroom after her arrest and the law should be equally applicable to all.

As the courtroom dock looked like a cell encaged within an iron frame, the lawyers insisted on keeping the accused seated on the bench.

Large numbers of police were deployed in and around the CMM court as Nizami was produced in the court, while senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and supporters including Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, Makbul Ahmed, Abdul Kader Molla and Delwar Hossain Saidi- crowded the area.

Moshiul Alam, lawyer for Nizami, said the court that Nizami was not included in the original chargesheet in the case.

Nizami's lawyer said his client was arrested illegally while his bail appeal remained pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

He served for two ministries with honesty, the lawyer added.

"Nizami is the model of honesty in Bangladesh. Those who do not want well-being of Bangladesh have implicated him in the charge sheet," said Alam.

Alam told the magistrate: "As the case is filed under the Emergency Powers Rules, there is no scope of granting bail. But we appeal for his bail as the charges are false- for that reason you should allow bail for my client."

The lawyer requested the court to allow Nizami to make a statement. At that time, the judge ordered the accused not to deliver any statement other than pertaining to the case.

"As the judiciary is independent now, I expect justice in this false case.

I have been produced on charges of corruption that are very unfair to me," said Nizami.

"I served in the agriculture and industry ministries during the previous government's tenure. Nobody will find any corruption there even with if they search with a microscope," he said.

"I was only a member of the Government's Purchase Committee and just put my signatures when anything was approved at the meeting. This is a politically motivated case. I was not involved in the GATCO deal," the Jamaat leader claimed.

"I was shown fugitive in the charge sheet. That is a false accusation. I had been staying in my house and attending various meetings. Why did they show me as a fugitive," he asked.

Earlier, police arrested Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami at his Maghbazar residence late at night on Sunday amid protests by several hundreds of his party leaders and activists.

Nizami was then taken to the Cantonment Police Station in a police van.

It was the first time in his political career spanning over four decades that Jamaat Ameer and former minister Matiur Rahman Nizami was arrested.

On May 15, the court issued warrants of arrest against Nizami and 11 other "absconding" accused in the GATCO graft case.

Jamaat has already announced a four-day programme of 'Nafal Roja'

(voluntary fasting) and feeding of the poor across the country in protest against the arrest of Nizami.

Fasting on May 22-23 and feeding the orphans and destitute on May 24-25 are aimed at seeking divine blessings to protect the nation from the clutches of 'conspiracy and repression'.

Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Kader Molla said the party would announce further programmes in this regard today.

Meanwhile, the party's senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Moulana Mohammad Yusuf will perform as the acting Ameer in absence of Nizami.

Aga Khan keen to invest in socio-economic sectors

Prince Karim Aga Khan called on Chief Adviser Dr
Fakhruddin Ahmed at the latter's office in the city
yesterday. PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Imam of Shia Ismailia Muslims Prince Karim Aga Khan yesterday offered his community's services to build bridge between Bangladesh and Central Asian countries where they have presence for promoting socioeconomic relations.

He further expressed his interest in investing in Bangladesh in various socioeconomic sectors, including financial services, education, and health.

The Ismailia spiritual leader, who arrived here earlier in the day for a four-day visit to Bangladesh, made the remarks when he called on Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the CA's office in the afternoon and discussed various socioeconomic maters.

Before formal meeting, the Chief Adviser and the Prince had a one-to-one parley for a while at the CA's office.

Responding to Aga Khan, Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh would definitely try to take advantage of the support of the Aga Khan community in expanding trade and investment opportunities in the Central Asian countries.

The Prince, who last came to Bangladesh in 1993, said they basically focused on standard education in primary and secondary levels and try to harness talents of students to make them best educated and skilled.

In this regard, he mentioned the setting up of an educational academy in Dhaka which would be centre of excellence in education where meritorious poor students will also have access.

Listing a number of promising sectors for investment, like banking, telecommunications and agro-processing industries, the Chief Adviser said the members of Aga Khan Community could take advantage of investment in these areas.

He also made a request for establishing hospital in Bangladesh as it has tremendous prospects and huge number of patients.

Responding positively, the Prince said they have set up world-class health centres in Kabul, Karachi and Kajakistan.

The Chief Adviser appreciated various socioeconomic activities in Bangladesh by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

During the meeting the Chief Adviser requested revival of the once-popular Aga Khan Gold Cup Football Tournament in Dhaka. Prince Karim Aga Khan responded positively.

The prince said they have investment in health service, education, leather, financial service, microfinance, industry, rural development and rural energy industry.

CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present at the meeting, briefed newsmen about the outcome of the talks.

Director of Diplomatic Affairs Shafik Sachedina and Habib Hirji, president Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh, were present on the Prince side while Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Principal Secretary to the CA Ali Imam Majumder and Secretary to CA's office Kazi Aminul Islam were on CA's side.

Pakistan to discuss use of N-energy with Bangladesh

Alamgir Babar

Staff Reporter

Pakistan is interested to discuss peaceful uses of nuclear energy with Bangladesh.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alamgir Babar said this while addressing a function organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club yesterday.

"We can discuss it within the confines of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he said adding, "We have our programme of nuclear energy. We are going ahead with that. It is upto Bangladesh to decide how they want."

The High Commissioner mentioned that he has learnt from newspaper reports that some discussions on this issue are taking place between Bangladesh and China.

He said Pakistan is not a signatory to the NPT, but "we have the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy."

Replying to a question, he said Bangladesh and Pakistan have "robust" defence cooperation in training military personnel of the two countries.

During the hour-long DCAB Talk, the Pakistan envoy said Bangladesh and Pakistan could learn from each other in different areas. Asked about the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff's visit toPakistan after his visit to India, Alamgir Babar said Islamabad has invited him and the date for the visit would be fixed at a mutually

convenient time.

Asked about the reasons behind the insignificant volume of the two-way trade, he identified two difficulties -one is lack of awareness among the businessmen about what the two countries can offer, and secondly, absence of direct Shipping Services.

He said Bangladesh and Pakistan bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be a supplement to SAFTA. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are enjoying benefit of such FTA.

On the long-running issues of repatriation of the stranded Pakistanis and apportionment of the pre-independence assets, the High Commissioner said Pakistan met its legal obligation under the 1974 agreement regarding the repatriation.

Babar mentioned that a survey conducted by an international agency showed that most of the stranded Pakistanis are not willing to go to Pakistan.

He told a questioner that about 2-3 million people of Bangladesh origin are now living in Pakistan.

About effective implementation of SAFTA, he agreed about the slow implementation of the umbrella trade accord and said it needs political will to move ahead with it.

About terrorism in the region, he said there are bilateral discussions with neighbours and others, because terrorism is not a local issue; it is a global security threat. International community as a whole should work together on it, he noted.

The High Commissioner informed that Pakistan has a special quota of 75 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students, which was increased to 100 this year in different fields.

DCAB president Masud Karim chaired the talks and general secretary Raheed Ijaz made the welcome address.

US Dy Asst Secy Erica Barks-Ruggles arrives

Erica Barks-Ruggles

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

US deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labour Erica Barks-Ruggles arrived Dhaka Monday on a three-day visit.

Barks-Ruggles will discuss with government officials restoration of democracy, human rights, and other related issues.

"Erica Barks-Ruggles arrived in Dhaka shortly before 8.00am," a spokesperson for the US embassy in Dhaka told bdnews24.com.

During her visit, she will hold discussions with senior government officials and members of civil society on a range of issues, including labour, human rights and progress in election roadmap implementation, the American Centre said in a statement Sunday.Barks-Ruggles is the third state department official to visit Bangladesh since May 8.

Tk 99,500 crore budget likely for next fiscal: Deficit not beyond 5pc of GDP: Agri, rural infrastructure to get priority

Staff Reporter

With giving importance on agriculture and rural infrastructure the budget outlay for the next fiscal year would be around Tk 99,500 crore, Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam disclosed Monday.

"Deficit in the 2008-09 budget may widen but not beyond 5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The budget will be placed on June 8 or 9," he told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on Privatisation at a city hotel.

Disclosing the facts and figures relating to the budget outlay the Finance Adviser said the Annual Development Programme (ADP) would be around Tk 25,500 crore in FY09 as compared to the revised budget of Tk 22,500 crore for the current fiscal year.

The Adviser informed newsmen that tax rates would no be increased, moreover, few cases of domestic output could get some protection. "The existing subsidies would continue in the next fiscal year like those in petroleum products and fertiliser, the Adviser said.

Replying to another question, Dr Aziz said the budget deficit would increase next year, but it would remain within 5 per cent of GDP. The overall deficit for the outgoing fiscal has been estimated at 4.2 per cent.

He said the revised budget would increase significantly than the original allocation due to increased subsidies on petroleum products and fertiliser well as increased food imports.

The total budgetary outlay for the outgoing fiscal was Tk 87,137 crore.

Dr Aziz said the external assistance increased significantly. Revenue collection also increased substantially.

He, however, remained skeptical about the aid inflow during the next fiscal year, for which he is waiting to present his second budget during the tenure of the caretaker government.

"The donors may prefer to go for wait and see strategy as the election will be held in December," he said, adding that the main donors are unlikely to wait for the elections.

Meanwhile, officials indicated that revenue earnings is estimated to grow by 17 per cent in the next fiscal year as compared to the target of the outgoing fiscal year, with the authorities busy in preparing the budget for 2008-09.

The revenue target is being considered not much commensurate with the estimates of nominal GDP and inflation that aggregates 15.5 percent.

The revenue target for the current fiscal year was fixed at Tk 43,850 crore, while the earnings during the July-March period stood at Tk 31,300 crore, registering 24 per cent growth over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal and 70 percent of the total target.

Authorities expected that the revenue earnings of the current fiscal year are likely to exceed the target for the first time.

Dialogue dilemma: Big parties still undecided

Shahidul Islam

With the yesterday's Awami League Presidium's decision to finalise decision about the formal dialogue after May 26 extended meeting of its National Committee and the announcement made by the BNP (reformist) group and Jatiya Party (Ershad) to join the moot, policymakers of the Government are hopeful that all the major political parties would ultimately join the talks.

BNP (anti-reform) Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday refused to accept the Government's invitation letter for joining the political dialogue because it did not mention his party designation. He, however, would not say whether he would join the dialogue if another letter with correction of the mistake reaches him. Both the AL and the anti-reform faction of the BNP are pressing on release of their respective party chiefs-the two detained Prime Ministers-Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia-as the primary pre-condition for their joining the talks.

The Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to clarify its position about the talks at a press briefing this afternoon in the changed scenario against the backdrop of the party chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami's arrest and imprisonment.

The Government will begin the much-talked about dialogue with political parties on May 22 with two smaller components of the Awami League (AL)-led 14 party alliance-the Workers Party and JSD (Inu) since major parties-the AL and the anti-reform BNP faction led by Khandaker Delware Hossain were putting pre-conditions for their joining the formal parleys.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will lead the Government side, while respective party Chiefs or Acting Chiefs are expected to lead their sides at the talks that would be held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) in the capital with an official aim to work out a National Charter about the future CGovernance, politics and economy on the basis of consensus that would be signed by the

leaders of the interim administration and all the participating political parties.

Workers Party (WP) President Rashed Khan Menon and JSD (Inu) President Hasanul Haq Inu will lead an equal seven-member delegation of their respective parties on the inaugural day's (May 22) dialogue separately.

Briefing journalists after meeting of the AL Presidium, the highest policymaking body of the party, yesterday General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) would take the final decision after the extended meeting of the National Committee, which would also be attended by former MPs and Presidents and General Secretaries of all district committees as well as front organisations, on May 26.

When his attention was drawn to the regular assertions by the senior AL leaders that the party would not join the political dialogue unless party President Sheikh Hasina was released and allowed to lead the party delegation to the talks, Syed Ashraful Islam said, "The decision will be finalised by the Central Working Committee not by the deliberations of the leaders. We have already asked the district committees to send their suggestions in written form on the issue before the May 26 extended meeting."

It, however, could not be ascertained as to whether detained Sheikh Hasina, who earlier directed the party leadership to make the dialogue successful, has sent a new message to party leaders on Sunday, when she attended the Special Judge's Court-1 in the capital.

Meanwhile, senior AL leaders yesterday held a bilateral meeting with the Workers Party (WP) at the AL Acting President Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence with him in the chair as part of its programmes to exchange views with components of the 14-party alliance.

WP President Rashed Khan Menon told journalists after the meeting that his party would join the dialogue and place the demand for the release of Sheikh Hasina.

Both the AL and WP agreed at the meeting that the political dialogue would not be meaningful without the participation of Sheikh Hasina, said Zillur Rahman, who earlier presided over the AL Presidium meeting at the same venue. The AL will sit with the JSD (Inu) today.

In the meantime, BNP (reformist) Acting Secretary General Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed yesterday said he received the invitation letter on Sunday night although the letter also made no mention of his designation. "I don't mind whether the party designation is there in the letter or not," he said, while his faction's senior leader Maj Gen (retd) ZA Khan said they would join the talks.

Addressing a party gathering yesterday, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad said his party would join the dialogue with the Government but would not sign the Natinal Charter. "We will join the dialogue to achieve a specific polls dates and the Government readiness to help the Election Commission to hold a free and fair elections," he said, asserting, "The National Charter, if any, should be framed by the political parties on the basis of consensus after discussion between them not with the un-elected Government."

Meanwhile, sources close to the leadership of the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), Gano Forum, Progressive Democratic Party, Krishak Sramik Janata League, NAP (Mozaffar), Shamyobadi Dal, Ganotantree Part, Kalyan Party, Islami Oikya Jote (Aminee), Islami Shsahantantra Party and Khelafat Majlish said these parties would join the dialogue that would be also participated by the different civil society bodies, including business leaders.

When asked yesterday night, sources close to the Advisers, assigned by the Chief Advisers to maintain contacts with the political leaders, said the Government was hopeful that all the major political parties would ultimately join the talks.

"We are in constant touch with the political parties and I am hopeful," Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said.

Hafiz accepts invitation letter while Delwar declines

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday refused to accept government invitation for political dialogue as the letter sent to him had no mention of his party designation.

Acting office secretary of BNP Rizvi Ahmed said a

Special Branch official carried the letter to Delwar's NAM apartment at about 9:30am. But Delwar regretted to accept the letter sent from the Chief Advisor's office.

Reformist leader Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, however, received the invitation letter Sunday night. That letter also made no mention of his designation, but he didn't mind.

The government-sponsored dialogue, meant for framing modus operandi of a smooth transition from the critical interim period, will start from May 22 with the sitting with smaller political parties.

AL mass hunger strike today

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Awami League will observe mass hunger strike programme today throughout the country demanding immediate release of Sheikh Hasina.

The leaders and activists of all the divisional towns, district towns, upazilas, municipalities, unions and wards unit of Awami League will go on hunger strike from 10 am to 4pm. The presidium members yesterday held a meeting at the Gulshan Residence of Zillur Rahman, Acting President of Awami League, to discuss about today's mass hunger strike programme and party's extended meeting on May 26.

As per a decision came from the meeting, party central leaders Abdur Razzak will attend the hunger strike in Narayanganj, Tofael Ahmed and Matia Chowdhury in Munshiganj, Amir Hossain Amu in Gazipur, Suranjit Sengupta in Narsingdi, Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Shafiul Arefin Tutul in Manikganj and Syed Ashraful Islam in Dhaka.

Syed Ashraful Islam, Acting General Secretary, said "we will finalise the decision on joining the dialogue with the government in the party's extended meeting.

The meeting will be attended by presidents, secretaries or convenors of 64 districts, 73 members of the central working committee, 41 members of the Advisory Council, 58 former MPs, members of the National Committee, 18 associate members, 109 assistant secretaries and 10 representatives from Dhaka City AL, Ashraful added.

Limited access to finance obstructs women entrepreneurship

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a daylong workshop yesterday identified limited access of women to market and finance as key barriers to development of women entrepreneurs in the country.

They also emphasised on capacity building of women entrepreneurs and producing quality goods to be competitive in the market.

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) organised the workshop titled 'International Trade Strategy and Export Readiness' in cooperation with the European Union at Nitol Centre of Mohakhali.

President of BWCCI Selima Ahmad and the delegates of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jonathon Webber, Rupinder Nandra and Christine Everall conducted the workshop.

Selima Ahmad said one of the major barriers to women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh is limited access to market, a problem that is exacerbated in an international context. "We are trying to overcome this problem through sensitising women entrepreneurs," she added.

Jonathon Webber told the workshop that EU is trying capacity building of two Asian intermediary organisations by building their competence.

He said the high barriers to finance for women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh leaves no room for error in market expansion and the high risks associated with global growth means that a majority of women who operate micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will not get access in the international markets without assistance in this area.

"This is a significant problem that could lead to the stagnation of women's private sector development in Bangladesh and possibly a delay in the growth of the Bangladesh economy," according to Jonathon.

In the workshop, the facilitators concentrated on export readiness, SME diagnostic action plan, intermediary support and follow-up, market identification, routes to market, services to members and business community.

Efforts on to nab Anwar, says DMP chief

Staff Reporter

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nayem Ahmed yesterday said police is trying to nab former BNP minister MK Anwar who went into hiding before Sunday night's raid in his residence.

"Efforts to arrest MK Anwar are going on," he said at

the Rajarbagh Police Lines Auditorium in the city after attending the monthly crime-review meeting.

"We will submit report to the court by May 22 according to the law, as the court has issued arrest warrants and ordered the authorities to produce the 'absconding' accused persons on the day," said the DMP Commissioner.

After getting the arrest warrant against Anwar, New Market Thana personnel raided his city residence in Elephant Road area but could not arrest him as he escaped from his house.

"We'll do everything under the legal process in this regard," said Nayem.

While replying to a question on asking why police delayed in arresting chargesheeted ex-ministers in GATCO case despite having the arrest warrant in hand, the DMP Commissioner replied that they could not get the arrest warrants against them in time for public holiday, but finally they were arrested.

On May 15, a Dhaka Court issued arrest warrants against 12 high-profile politicians, including former ministers M Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Matiur Rahman Nizami, MK Anwar, M Shamsul Islam and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, in the GATCO scam case mentioning them as absconders.

1.4 m children employed in risky jobs

Staff Reporter

An estimated 1.4 million children in Bangladesh are employed in risky work in mills and factories.

There are about 8.5 million child labours in the country and about 1.4 million of them are involved in risky work in various mills and factories.

This was disclosed at a seminar in the city on 'Eradication of Child Labour from risky work in Bangladesh: Prevailing Situation and Future Perspective' organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Speaking at the seminar, Labour and Employment Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said, "Child labour from our garment sector has been eradicated with the help of all concerned people and organisations including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, International Labour Organisation and United Nations Children's Fund."

The Government is now strongly committed to eradicating child labour in the country, he said.

The draft of national policy on eradication of child labour has already been finalised and very soon it would be placed before the advisory council for approval, said the Adviser.

Dacoit lynched, cop succumbs to heartbreak at macabre sight

UNB, Narayanganj

A tender-hearted police officer succumbed to heartbreak at the macabre sight as an angry mob lynched a bandit after robbery on a bus at Mograpara under Sonargaon thana on Sunday night.

Police said enraged local people beat to death one of the gang and also gouged out both eyes of the dead, whose identity could not be known.

On information, second officer of Sonargaon thana SI Abdul Hakim went to the spot with his force. He suffered heart attack seeing the deformed body of the dacoit. He died of the cardiac arrest on way to Dhaka.

Sources said a gang of 7/8 robbers, who were traveling on a Comilla-bound bus in the guise of passengers, took control of the bus after stabbing the driver at Madanpur in Bandar thana.

The bandits looted cash, gold and other valuables worth about Tk 5 lakh after stabbing the passengers. Ten passengers were injured in the gang attack.

The dacoits got down from the bus at Mograpara, and when they were getting away with the booties, local people rushed in by hearing a hue and cry and chased them.

"At one stage, local people caught two of them and gave them a good beating, leaving one dead on the spot. They also gouged out both eyes of the dead dacoit," says a spot account of the holdup.

The other captured robber, identified as Rabbani of Rupganj in Narayanganj, was injured seriously. He was admitted to Sonargaon thana Health Complex.

The deceased SI, Abdul Hakim, hailed from Muktagaccha uapzila of Mymensingh district.