The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mirza Aziz rules out fiscal mismanagement: Budget to bring relief to people

Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam addressing
the post-Budget press conference at NEC auditorium in the
city on Tuesday. Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder and
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed were present.
NN photo

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday ruled out the possibility of fiscal miss-management while covering a huge deficit to implement the expansionary budget to the tune of Tk 1 trillion.

He was not even ready to recognize the deficit estimated at Tk 30580 crore, or almost 30.80 per cent of the budget as huge one as the ratio is only 5 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Finance Adviser was addressing a press conference at the NEC conference room arranged by his ministry to respond criticisms of various quarters over the proposed 2008-09 fiscal's budget aired on Monday.

"I believe, as percentage of GDP, the deficit is not increasing too much," he said while facing a volley of questions in the crowded press conference, which was live telecast by a private TV channel.

Dr Aziz dismissed apprehensions of crowding out private sector credit, lending rate hike and inflation expectation due to increased dependence on bank borrowing to finance deficit.

He was also confident about proper delivery of services in widely appreciated social safety-net programmes, though most of the analysts were doubtful about it. He, however, admitted that his success depends on political and natural stability.

The Budget will bring relief to people facing volatile markets, the Adviser said dding, "It aims at combating poverty by creating employment and expansion of safety net coverage to the poor to ensure food security in the first place to the nation."

Outlining the major features of the budget, the finance adviser said in view of the current global and domestic market situation with soaring prices of food and fuel items, the budget has placed top priority to bring relief to the people.

Responding to the criticism of ignoring the politicians in the budget speech, the Adviser said, "I did not mention politicians, but it does not mean they were ignored."

"I have mentioned the contribution of intellectuals and intellectuals cover the politicians," he added.

He faced a volley of questions on general election and the new budget at post-budget press conference at NEC. The Finance Adviser parried questions when asked if the government by seemingly a pro-election budget intends to continue in power. "I can assure you, personally I have no intention to contest any election."

He said he has explained the kinds of challenges the government is likely to face in implementing the budgetary measures.

Replying to another question, he said there are some misconceptions that the budget created room for whitening black money.

"There is no measure in the budget to whiten the black money," the Finance Adviser said, adding that the budget did not exempt anyone from declaring income earned through legal means.

The Adviser said when the Truth Commission will be operational they will unearth if anybody avail of the opportunity to legalise his unholy income by paying tax.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Finance secretary Dr Muhammed Tareque and NBR chairman Muhammed Abdul Mazid also supplemented to some of the answers of the adviser.

Cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder, ERD secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan and Planning secretary Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury and a huge number of officials were present at the press conference.

Dr Aziz said the interest payment on bank borrowing would be increased, but it would not incur losses to the economy, as the interest on the domestic borrowing would be circulated within the economy through investment by other means.

In contrast, external borrowing is only 10 percent of the domestic borrowing, he said, adding that the interest repayment would put burden on the national exchequer.

The Finance Adviser said the lending rate is unlikely to increase due to the increased bank borrowing to finance the deficit, as the interest rate spread is already on the high side.

Moreover, there are initiatives from the Bangladesh Bank to reduce the spread and there are signs of improvement in this regard, he added.

Asked about the possibility of the crowding out of private sector, he said the borrowing was also high during the outgoing fiscal year. "Even then, the private sector credit increased by 23 percent."

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin supplemented that the bank borrowing estimate is not too much and the private sector would not crowd out.

"The central bank will monitor the monetary situation and take necessary measures, if necessary," he said, adding that Bangladesh Bank would see the consistency of the monetary policy so that the essential expenditure is not hampered.

The Finance Adviser also dismissed the criticism that the budget is an ambitious one, saying that the revenue estimate remained the same at 11.3 as percentage of GDP as compared to the estimate of the outgoing fiscal year.

However, NBR revenue estimate as percentage of GDP increased a little to 8.9 percent for the next fiscal year as compared to 8.6 percent in the outgoing fiscal year.

He further explained that revenue collection is estimated to grow by 18.5 percent over the outgoing fiscal year, which is only 3 percent more than the estimated money in GDP to grow by 15.5 percent, including 9 percent inflation.

"It's not unrealistic at all considering the measures proposed to increase revenue," he said.

Replying to a question, Dr Aziz said: "It's my crisis, your crisis and the crisis of the people and the country… it's a global crisis. The biggest crisis is food crisis followed by petroleum price."

Asked about the predictability of the foreign aid, he expected that the projection would be achieved, as the target was set considering the trend for last 7-8 years. "It's reasonably certain that we'll get the expected external assistance."

Replying to a question whether the pay hike for the government employees would put extra burden on the other group of fixed income people, he said: "It's still my hope that the private sector will come forward to increase employees' income."

About apprehension of service delivery mechanism, Dr Aziz said the local government institutions and the administrative mechanism would be able to deliver the services of the social safety-net programmes.

Massive victory for India

An action from the second day/night encounter
between Pakistan and India at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla
National Stadium on Tuesday. Focus Bangla

Sabbir Hossain

A marvellous bowling by Praveen Kumar with a good support of Piyush Chawla powered India to register a formidable 140-run victory over Pakistan in their ODI clash of the Tri-Nation Kitply Cup at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Praveen Kumar cut a brilliant figure as 9-1-53-4 while Piyush Chowla finished as 8.4-0-40-4.

Chasing India’s mammoth total of 330 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, Pakistan were shot out for 190 off 35.4 overs.

Shoaib Malik, the skipper of Pakistan team, was the only notable scorer for Pakistan who hit 53 off 67 balls amid three fours and a six.

It was India’s biggest marginal victory over Pakistan so far.

Earlier, India made a brisk start as the two openers, Virendar Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir contributed 155 runs in the opening stand. Sehwag cracked the team’s highest of 89 using 76 balls. He cracked 13 fours and a six before he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal when the team’s total was 174 for the loss of two wickets. Wahab Riaz removed him and earlier, Wahab Riaz dismissed Gautam Gambhir, who was caught behind by Kamran Akmal making run-a-ball 62 amid six fours.

Later, Yuvraj Singh smashed his 34th ODI half century. He fulfilled his 50 playing 49 deliveries. He sent the ball three times over the ropes and three times over the fence before he was cleanly bowled by Umer Gul when the board was giving a reading of 271 for the loss of six wickets. Yuraj hit 55 off 54 balls.

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan added 24, 26 and 18 runs respectively which helped India to make 330 for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs.

Medium pacer Umer Gula was the most successful bowler for Pakistan who scalped three for 61 runs.

Spinner Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz bagged a couple of wickets conceding 52 and 86 runs respectively.

Besides, pacer Sohail Tanvir took one wicket in the space of 57 runs.

It may be mentioned that India scored the highest total in this ground not only against Pakistan but also against any team.

News Analysis: Hasina’s predicament far from over

Hasanuzzaman Khan

In a dramatic haste within a day the Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina was exempted from personal appearance in the special courts where she was facing corruption charges. The whole exercise was undertaken ostensibly to allow the Awami League leader to go abroad for medical treatment.

The court is learnt to have said, she does not have to appear in the court herself clearing the way for her departure to freedom from detention on corruption charges. The whole issue of medical treatment of the detained top political leader thus has been termed to have been reduced to something of a farce.

Here the political expediency seems to have taken upperhand of everything.

She could have been sent abroad earlier for treatment as she was on the verge of losing hearing following August 21 granade blast in 2004. Her ear complications seemed to have gone beyond repair. Now the situation has changed dramatically and it is not clear how the heaps of the obstacles which were accumulated over her passage to freedom from detention was removed.

Despite removal of legal barriers, behind-the-scene bargain facilitating the travel of the now detained Ex-PM Hasina to US, UK, or Canada has not yet completed. Her present predicament is far from over.

The Law Ministry in it's last minute bargain said the former PM who is on trial in the corruption cases will have to appear before the court for submissions when the court requires so. In that case she will have to return home even risking the possibility of her re-arrest. A source said, the government announcement of setting Hasina free was being delayed, as she prefers to visit Tungipara, her ancestral home where the mazar of her father lies. But the government does not want to take any risk of law and order. A government functionary said, she should straight go to the Zia International Airport to catch the first flight available for Canada.

Sharfuddin Khan Mukul, the prosecution lawyer said it is neither a parole nor a bail for her. The court can order release of any accused for the cause of treatment abroad. The court can also issue order of her reappearance before the court if it feels necessary.

Mukul said that she would still face charges of corruption and her lawyers would represent her in absentia. Hasina faces numerous charges including an allegation that she and her two family members received huge sums in bribes from a businessman between 1996 and 2001. The trial would continue and she may be convicted in absentia. In that case she will be debarred from contesting polls for five years. Hasina returned to the country in 1981 at the initiative of Dr. Kamal Hossain from a self imposed exile but Kamal had to quit Awami League due to what he termed despotic behaviour of party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Since then Hasina enjoyed unquestioned loyalty of the party leaders and workers. The reformist leaders who surfaced after 1/11 could not bring about any cherished reform in the Awami League to effect democratisation of the party. Awami League may face split in the absence of Hasina, political watchers say. There is no single or unified leadership in the Awami League to fill up the vacuum in the party. Last year in April the return of Sheikh Hasina from USA was prohibited by the caretaker Government. The government has to allow her to return home in the face of protests. She was arrested on July 16 last year in an extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury after her return. Since then she has been in jail.

The Awami League may be entangled in severe power struggle in the period of Hasina's absence. It is yet to be seen what deal Hasina has reached with the Caretaker Government regarding her safe exit from the country.

In the mean time Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of former PM Khaleda Zia was denied bail and consequently overseas treatment though he has reportedly suffered fructure in backbone. Khaleda Zia has ruled out going abroad for medical treatment. She said there was no need to do so as Bangladesh has enough good doctors.

Khaleda's comments follow reports suggesting that the caretaker government may allow her to go abroad for medical treatment.

Budget financing remains cloudy: Unnayan Onneshan

Staff Reporter

The budget for 2008-09 keeps up with the continuity of liberalisation, privatisation and deregulation of successive governments, says Unnayan Onneshan, an NGO in a rapid assessment of the budget.

The Finance Adviser has announced yet another budget, which is misleadingly seen to be gigantic in figures, announcing some cushions to respite the mass consumers from the repulsions of inflation. How this extra budgetary support would alleviate the consumers who have been contorted by the price spiral that is one question. But how the budget would be financed remains ambiguous. Moreover, the measures proposed seems to show the signs of fiscal mismanagement, as the economy has already laboured under continuing and increasing budget deficits, high unemployment, apparently permanent and perhaps increasing inflation, and accompanying disenchantment with the socio-political order.

"This raises the fundamental question of the fiduciary responsibility of government. The social contract, as expressed in the Constitution, between the citizen and the state, warrants extremely loyal to the person to whom he owes the duty (the "principle i.e. the citizens): the government must not put its personal interests before the duty ascribed by the citizens. The fiduciary responsibilities regarding the custody of public moneys, their payment and the withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund or, as the case may be, the public account of the republic, and matters connected with or ancillary matters are ascribed in article- 82 of Constitution of Bangladesh," Unnayan Onneshan said. The present government took the office in the backdrop of a chaos created by feuding political parties. The context of the takeover ensued blaming the politicians in the last one-and-half year, but people of the country have been disenchanted with apparently permanent and increasing inflation with standard of living reaching at its abysmal. The economic outcome points out the missing linkage or interdependence between the policies and economics. This necessary linkage or interdependence between the basic political structure of the society and the economic policymaking is the central criteria for social welfare maximisation.

Concurrent failure of ADP implementation, subsequent cut down of development programme, little attention of increasing efficiency of ADP implementation, shocks like oil and food price hike together with lack of transparency and accountability of budgeting process has led the fiscal management unsustainable as reflected from increasing current expenditure while reducing the development expenditure.

This in couple with lack of coherence between the macro rules, expenditure rules and budgeting process imply that long term macro economic goals are not being reflected in the decision making process as the current fiscal has ended up with lower growth and higher inflation as opposed to what it has been predicted by the government at the outset of the current fiscal. Moreover, slowing down of investment- both public and private- as a percentage of GDP that has been perceived since fiscal 2006-07 is another cause of concern, indicating that growth path likely to see instability in near future with increasing unemployment and inflation.

Govt steps for food security not enough

Shamim Jahangir

Some economists have expressed the view that the measures announced by the Finance Adviser in his budget speech are not enough to ensure food security for a vast segment of the country's population living in penury.

Giving his reaction to the Finance Minister's budgetary provision to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, economist Dr Atiur Rahman of Dhaka University, said the proposed cash subsidy for the farmers using power pumps for irrigation was not enough as the Government is likely to increase the price of diesel close on the heels of the announcement of the national budget.

He praised the steps proposed to be taken to ensure food security for the poor people. He at the same breath pointed out that the food security programme of the government ignored the people of marginal income group.

Prof. Moinul Islam of the Chittagong University suggested that the government must build a buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes of foodgrains to meet any contingency.

He was critical of the Government for failing to propose any concrete programme in the new budget to ensure food security of slum dwellers, garment workers and monga hit people.

He said the government's plan to build a stock of only 10 lakh tonnes of foodgrain is too inadequate. With this stock the government will not be able to keep the prices of foodgrain stable in the face of market manipulation by the middlemen and brokers.

He called upon the government to introduce food rationing system for the targeted people.

Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam in his budget speech yesterday proposed to build a stock of 32 lakh metric tonnes of food grains through internal procurement and import of food grains including food aid .

Of the total stock of foodgrains, 30 lakh tonnes will be distributed through Open Market Sales (OMS) at a concessional price, Food for Work, Vulnerable Group Feeding, Vulnerable Group Development, Test Relief and Gratuitous Relief programmes," Dr Aziz said.

"By the end of FY 2008-09, the Government will still have a stock of 10 lakh tonnes of food grains. This will enable us to tackle any food security related risks," Finance adviser said.

In order to reduce the pressure of price increase of diesel, the finance adviser proposed to allocate Tk. 540 crore as cash subsidy to the farmers using diesel-powered irrigation pumps in the next fiscal year.

'Proposed budget not unfriendly for exporters’

Staff Reporter

Leading exporters of the country in their reaction on proposed budget said that the outlay was not friendly for the export sector.

They said most of the demands of the exporters were not met in the proposed budget of fiscal year 2008-09.

"Unless there is developed infrastructure, sufficient power and gas supply and adequate skilled manpower, there is no chance of expected growth in the industrial and export sector," BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez told a press briefing in the city.

Earlier, the exporters of the country held a discussion meeting on proposed budget at BGMEA office where the participants criticised the Finance Adviser for not paying enough heed to their demands.

Parvez said electricity and gas crisis become a big problem for local industries. Long-term policy becomes crucial to minimise the problem.

"We are afraid that if we have to shut down the factories instead of expansion," he said adding that the proposed budget has no clear message of minimising the problem.

The president of the apex garment organisation said most of the countries built power plants on Built on Operation (BoT) system. Such a decision in Bangladesh also can generate both local and foreign investment for the sector, he said.

"We do not want loans from World Bank and the International Monetary fund (IMF). Our infrastructure system has incurred huge loss due to their policy," Parvez noted.

Demanding 5 years of tax holiday for local industries outside the EPZs he said those should enjoy the facility 100 per cent for the entire period.

Parvez urged the Finance Adviser to grant cash incentives for terry towel, leather silk and handloom sector and exempt the plastic industries from 100 per cent bank guarantee provisions. Such a burden makes their business costlier, he added.

The BGMEA president criticised the government not for arranging loan at 5 to 6 per cent interest rate for setting up of effluent treatment plant.

CPD’s post-budget reaction: Stability, transition to elected govt must

CPD Executive Director Dr Mustafizur Rahman
addressing a press conference on 'proposed budget' at the
BRAC Centre in the city on Tuesday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

The national budget for the fiscal 2008-09 is populist and expansionary from the revenue expenditure point of view, said Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in its post budget reaction yesterday.

It also said that political stability, smooth transition of power to an elected democratic Government and high efficiency of state machinery are important for the implementation of the budget.

"We welcome the present budget and it is not ambitious one in comparison with the last fiscal," Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director of CPD said at a press briefing at BRAC Inn in the city.

He said the budget of the current fiscal is traditional in term of revenue earnings and development expenditure is conservative.

He said achieving GDP 6.5 per cent could be possible if the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the current fiscal is implemented as the nation has achieved 6.2 per cent GDP in the last fiscal even after consecutive floods and Sidr.

He also said maintaining prices of essentials within tolerable level, creating employment, widening social safety net programme, reducing regional disparity and ensuring food security are the main priorities of the current fiscal budget.

He, however, said the development of the country's power sector is vital, otherwise, attracting more investment and ensuring uninterrupted economic growth could not be possible.

Executive Director of CPD that mobilising foreign resources will be a major challenge for the upcoming fiscal and proper care should be taken to avoid ' crowding out' effect on the private sector credit, threatened by high Government borrowing.

He also said that high budget deficit should not be continued for too many years since this will lead to increased expenditure on debt servicing.

Budget deficit has been estimated at Tk 30,580 crore (5 per cent of the GDP) for FY 09 ( Tk 25,546) crore in revised budget of FY 08 ( 4.8 per cent of GDP).

He said the current fiscal would be a challenging year due to implementation of election road map as a large part of the money would have to be spent by the elected Government to ensure development management in line with Poverty Reduction Strategy-ii objectives.

Maintaining macroeconomic stability and economic growth, containing inflation and narrowing fiscal deficit and reducing poverty will also be a big challenge for the Government for the current fiscal.

Re-fixation of tariff slabs, focus on SME and agriculture, widening of VAT net ,continuation of administrative reforms, protection of import substituting industries and encouragement of local industries are the key fiscal measurers for FY09.

The subsidy on diesel, octane and petrol need to be readjusted in line with the international market price. However, farmers and poor people should be provided subsidised diesel and kerosene, he added.

"The estimated 8.0 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of current gas reserve will not be able to meet the national demand after the year of 2015," CPD Executive Director noted and suggested to finalise the National Coal Policy. Prof Mustafizur Rahman said without the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) more employment could not be created.

He also said higher revenue collection, excellent exports performance, higher remittance inflow, comfortable foreign reserve, bumper Boro production and efficient handling of post flood and Sidr management were the positive developments in the last fiscal.

The reports also mentioned of producing at least 32 million tons of rice for the next fiscal as food security. Increased budgetary support and input supply required for higher food production in FY2008-09. Reinvestment of profit and income from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by foreign companies need to be encouraged.

The CPD suggested raising the efficiency of implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP) rather than reducing the size.

Uttam Kumar Deb, Anisatul Fatema Yousuf ,Khondaker Golam Moazzem and Fahmida Khatun among others, attended, the programme.

Khaleda smiles learning process of Hasina’s release

UNB, Dhaka

Detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Tuesday flashed a smile learning of the process of releasing her once arch political rival Sheikh Hasina at the behest of the government.

"If it is done through lawful process, then law is equal for all," she said during consultation with her lawyers at a special court in the parliament building complex.

Khaleda, who also suffers from health complications including acute arthritis for which she had knee-surgery in America, said: "Justice should be ensured equally for all."

The BNP chairperson was also offered similar medical treatment abroad like that of her political rival under a government package, but she spurned the offer a few days ago. Rather, she preferred to stay in the country, saying that there are many good doctors here for her treatment.

Begum Zia, however, has been persistently pressing for overseas treatment for her two detained sons - Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko.

AL prepares for polls

UNB, Dhaka

As detained Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is set to walk to freedom anytime soon, her party central leaders yesterday asked its workers to get ready for the next elections. They also demanded unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina so that the former premier can take part in the elections.

"Take preparationst We'll have to win the elections under the leadership of our great leader Sheikh Hasina," AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.

He was addressing an extended meeting of AL's front organisation Swechhasebak League at the Diploma Engineers Institute. AL presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed and Matia Chowdhury, among others, addressed the meeting held with Swechhasebak League vice-president Abdul Hannan in the chair. Syed Ashraful expressed the hope that Sheikh Hasina would be released soon ending the country's current political stalemate. Amir Hossain Amu urged the government to put an end to all the confusions and speculations by releasing Hasina. He also asked the party leaders and activists to get prepared to fight the elections saying that AL would be guided by Hasina in the future as well.

Amu, however, ruled out the possibility of any united movement with BNP "because BNP's target is to kill Hasina and destroy AL". Tofael said Sheikh Hasina cannot be declared unqualified for contesting the next elections until the Supreme Court's verdict on one of the graft cases filed against her.

He urged the government to immediately stop the ongoing crackdown on innocent people and demanded withdrawal of the state of emergency for creating a democratic environment in the country.

Home Adviser ignorant about Hasina's release

UNB, Dhaka

Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin On Tuesday expressed ignorance about the release of detained ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whose path is already all clear for her going abroad for medical treatment.

"I don't know anything. Nothing to say…No comment," he told reporters at his ministry in the afternoon after a meeting with the Chief Advisesr. The reporters thronged his ministerial office from morning to know the precise date of Hasina's release and possible time of her departure for Canada for treatment of her damaged ears and eyes.

In a dramatic turn of events Sunday-Monday, the special courts exempted Sheikh Hasina from personal attendance during the trial proceedings in four corruption cases. Her three passports seized at the time of arrest on July 16 last year were also returned on Monday afternoon.

Political sources indicated that the delay in issuing the executive order on her temporary release is being caused perhaps for incompletion of the behind-the-scenes negotiations between her and the government.

A reliable source said the Law Ministry has already given its legal opinion in favour of her release without condition, mentioning different sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The Ministry says that Hasina may be released temporarily under Section 401 (4A) of the CrPC.

However, it says she will have to attend the trial court when it desires to examine her under Section 342 of CrPC.

Political sources hinted that sheikh Hasina wants to come out from jail as a freeperson and visit Tungipara to offer fateha at the mazar of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before her departure.

She also desires to go to her Sudha Sadan and meet senior leaders of Awami League before departure.

The sources said the government does not like to take any risk of law-and-order situation for her visit to Tungipara. Rather, the government wants her to go straight to airport and catch the first flight available for Canada.

IOJ demands polls in Oct

Staff Reporter

The Islami Oikya Jote led by Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini during its dialogue with the government yesterday demanded holding the elections in October, so that hajis could cast their votes and celebration of Eid-ul-Azha does not fall in the fray of franchise. On the other hand, the government side led by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed assured the IOJ delegation that hajj pilgrims hopefully would be able to cast their vote after performing hajj.

During the two-hour long talks held at Chief Adviser's Office, the 11-member IOJ delegation led by its Ameer Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini placed a 21-point charter of demands.

The demands include banning foreign NGOs from election monitoring, cancelling the registration of the NGOs involved in anti-religious activities and curbing the price hike of essential commodities.

The other demands also include withdrawal of state of emergency and restrictions on indoor politics immediately, inviting observers for monitoring the general election, removing doubt over holding the election in due time and ridding the nation of a sense of doubt over any initiative being taken.

"We have requested the government for holding the elections in October, instead of December because of religious sentiments," said IOJ Chairman Fazlul Haque Amini while briefing journalists following the talks.

He said the IOJ leaders also demanded for holding the national polls ahead of the local government elections.

About the disputed National Women Development Policy, the IOJ leader said anti-Islamic elements should be eliminated from the policy.

The IOJ leaders took a strong stand against politics of militancy in the country and gave their edicts for its elimination.

They said all parties should come forward, casting off one's arrogance and with an attitude of giving concession, in the greater national interest in restoring peace and democratic politics in the country.

This was the ninth spell of dialogue between the government and political parties.

Adviser for Education and Commerce Hossain Zillur Rahman said the government was serious about the election roadmap.

He said the government was working to build people's confidence in the administration in a way so that they "can have faith in us".

Replying to a question as to whether Sheikh Hasina's release is a part of reported minus-two policy of the government, Hossain Zillur said it is the responsibility of you (media) to analyse it. "We only will disseminate information available," he said.

Asked whether the dialogue would be a failure if the two major political parties boycotted it, the adviser said, "We are proceeding with patience. The two major parties also want to go forward on the basis of consensus."

Adviser for Law AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser for Communications Ghulam Quader and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury were also present on behalf of the government.

IOJ Secretary General Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami and its leaders Mohiuddin Khan, Md Abdur Rakib, Pirjada Moeenuddin Ahmad Jubair Mia, Jasimuddin, Mufti Md Wakkas, Md Zonaid Al Habib, Abdullah Md Hannan and Mufti Md Faezullah, who were in the dialogue.

The next dialogue will be held with the Unity for Political Reforms, one of the political platforms, today.