The New Nation - Internet Edition

BNP sets 72-hr ultimatum for government to release Khaleda

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday set a 72-hour ultimatum for the caretaker government to unconditionally release their party chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia and ensure her son Tarique Rahman's treatment abroad.

"Otherwise, we will go for tough action program in consultation with the 4-party alliance," he told a meeting at Diploma Engineers Institution.

The unparalleled BNP leader of the day issued the deadline in the wake of the remarks of two influential Advisors-Dr Hossain Zillur and Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader-that the process of Begum Zia's release is now at the final stages.

She was arrested on September 3 last year in the GATCO graft case amid a crackdown in the interim period following the 1/11 changeover. Later, several other corruption cases were filed against her under the ongoing purge.

Her son Tarique, who is suffering from spinal-cord problem, was arrested before her mother in connection with a number of corruption cases.

BNP's main ally Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid also sounded similar warnings about street agitation if the caretaker regime failed to meet the demand.

The meeting was organized by the four-party alliance to press for release of all political detainees, including Begum Zia.

BNP senior leaders Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddique and MK Anwar, BJP chairman Andalib Rahman Partha and secretary general Shamim Al Mamun, Jamaat leaders Quader Mollah and ATM Azharul Islam, IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami and Khelafat Majlis secretary general Ahmed Abdul Quader, among others, also addressed the meeting.

Khandaker Delwar urged the government to set free Begum Zia and, if necessary, consult her on political dialogue and election matters.

"If Khaleda Zia and Tarique are released, BNP and four-party alliance will extend all cooperation to the government in holding free and fair elections," he said, seemingly offering a swap.

The BNP secretary general alleged that despite repeated appeals, the caretaker government did not pay any heed to those. Rather, the government is moving forward with its "blueprint".

Delwar said people now understood how this caretaker government, being "patronized by a foreign power", is carrying forward its activities "violating the Constitution".

"But we like to clearly tell you that people will not accept this election under a blueprint of imperialist and aggressive powers," he told the meeting amidst cheers from the alliance supporters.

The BNP secretary general reminded the government of its constitutional obligation, saying that this government has no jurisdiction to hold other elections but parliamentary polls. "Then, why are you dillydallying in holding the national elections? " he questioned.

He also asked the government why it is not sending Tarique abroad for treatment despite High Court's clear judgment in this respect. "Why don't you send him abroad for treatment? Do you want his death?" An angry Delwar asked.

The BNP leader said they would not have any objection if politicians are tried under normal laws of the land. "But if they are tried and punished with political motives, neither the people nor we will accept that," he said.

Jamaat secretary general Mujahid asked Commerce and Education Advisor Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman to explain his Saturday's remarks that process of Khaleda Zia's release is at the final stage.

"We want to know it clearly-is it your personal opinion or the government's statement?" he said. "How many hours will be needed to free Khaleda and Tarique?"

Mujahid also asked the government to free them within 72 hours and clear its position. "Otherwise, the 4-party alliance will go for final movement," he warned.

The Jamaat leader demanded the scrapping of the August 4 elections for four city corporations and nine municipalities as the voter's list under which these elections were conducted "has no legal basis".

Bail to Tofail's daughter: SC refuses ACC leave to appeal

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court didn't give the Anti-Corruption Commission permission to file appeal against High Court bail to Dr Taslima Ahmed Zaman, daughter of Awami League stalwart Tofael Ahmed, in a graft case.

Instead, the Supreme Court Sunday asked the counsel for the anti-graft watchdog to get its objection heard back in the High Court.

Passing the order, the Appellate Division disposed of the ACC application for leave to appeal against the High Court orders.

Following a petition, the High Court on June 2 granted anticipatory bail to Dr Taslima, along with her mother, for four months on surrender. The HC had also issued rule upon the ACC to explain why Dr Taslima 'should not be granted regular bail'.

On May 29, ACC Deputy Director Golam Shahrier Chowdhury filed a case with Ramna police station against Tofael Ahmed, also former minister, for amassing Tk 2.45 crore worth of wealth, which is inconsistent with his known sources of income, and concealing information about Tk 1.86 crore in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC.

The ACC also implicated Tofael's wife, Anwara Ahmed, and daughter Dr Taslima on charges of aiding and abetting him in protecting the ill-gotten property.

Tofail also secured bail in the case on July 20 on surrender to the High Court, as a purge went on in the interim period against corruption in high places that landed many VIPs in jail.

Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam appeared for Dr Taslima, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for the ACC.

Ericsson starts 3G pilot project

UNB, Dhaka

The present government is very much pro-technology and cordial to adopting new technologies in the country for the welfare of its people, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Brig Gen (retd) MA Malek has said.

"Inauguration of the 3G pilot project is a milestone in mobile technology of the country and I hope that the alleviation of poverty will be facilitated through this modern technology," he said speaking as chief guest at the launching ceremony of Ericsson 3G pilot project at a city hotel on Sunday.

Brig Malek, who is in charge of ministries of Post & Telecommunications and Social Welfare, hoped that the mobile technology providers would come here with their new and modern technologies as Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing market for mobile communications.

Addressing the function as special guest, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Maj Gen (retd) Manzurul Alam said the mobile subscribers would immensely benefit with the introduction of the 3G technology in the country.

Mobile phone operators, he hoped, would take this opportunity to spread the technology across the country at affordable price for all.

Ericsson Bangladesh managing director Arun Bansal said that this pioneering project would showcase the full potential of broadband services for the first time in the country and how an efficient and affordable 3G broadband service can help serve as a blueprint for the widespread introduction of internet connectivity.

Ericsson Global sales and marketing head Steffan Holmer also spoke on the occasion.

Ericsson is conducting the 3G trial by using the site and transmission networks of three telecom operators-Warid Telecom International Bangladesh, Grameenphone and Telecom Malaysia International (Bangladesh), which operates under the brand name AKTEL.

Ericsson officials said that this pilot project, which is now available at two places in Dhaka and also at Jahangirnagar University, would be completed in October.

London based NRBs meet Iftekhar

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Sunday received a delegation from EA5 Development Council UK, a UK based organization of Non-Resident Bangladeshis led by Dr. M. Mahmudul Hasan.

The delegation briefed the Foreign Adviser on the development in the UK of a data bank on economic cooperation of Bangladeshi expatriates.

"I was impressed by the initiative and wished its success," Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, told the media after the meeting.