The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh yesterday urged Bahrain to lift its suspension order on issuance of work permits to Bangladeshi workers.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury phoned State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Dr Nejar Sadik Al Baharna this noon and discussed the matter with him.

Dr Nejar assured Iftekhar that he would try to do his best to take an initiative for lifting the suspension order.

Bahrain has recently issued an order suspending fresh recruitment of Bangladeshi workers and issuance of work permits after a Bahrain national was killed by a Bangladeshi.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry advised Bangladeshi workers to obey the rules of the country concerned, as public sentiment is getting stronger in the Middle East countries against the breach of laws by foreigners.

Staff Reporter

The Awami League should wage movement to release its president and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from detention and to restore democracy in the country, said Dr Muntashir Mamun, Former Chairman of the Department of History of Dhaka University yesterday.

He was speaking at a discussion meeting on "Songlap O Sheikh Hasina" organised by Muktijuddha O Muktichinta Kendra at the National Press Club.

The army backed caretaker government can not be removed through negotiation as it did not come to power through such means, he said.

He alleged that the government was professing national election as per its roadmap, but in reality it is creating roadblocks to polls, he noted.

Professor AAMS Siddique, Former President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said dialogue is essential for democracy. But the dialogue would not be fruitful keeping Sheikh Hasina behind the bar.

Fundamentalists tried to kill Sheikh Hasina through bomb attack on August 21, 2004 whereas the caretaker government is trying to spoil her life by depriving her of proper treatment in prison, he alleged.

Dr Anwar Hossain, General Secretary of DUTA, said that the presidium of Awami League should announce a tough action programme across the country to release Sheikh Hasina.

Mentioning the discriminatory treatment against Sheikh Hasina in jail, he said the prison authority provided special bed and food for Arafat Koko, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, but it did not provide proper treatment to Sheikh Hasina though she has been suffering from serious ailment.

He said that the evil forces which were responsible for the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, are still active to silence the voice of Sheikh Hasina.

Journalist Bahauddin Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the meeting held with former MP Abdul Latif Siddique presided over the meeting.