The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Planning Minister and Chairman of the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) AK Khandaker is optimistic about starting trial of war criminals shortly.

While talking to reporters at his Planning Ministry office yesterday, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation War was emphatic to underscore the need to bring the 1971 war criminals to justice.

"The trial is very important for the nation, what the people of Bangladesh also desire," he said.

"Most of the war criminals failed to get elected. It is the successful outcome of the Sector Commanders' Forum's work and I thank each and every member of it," he said.

Khandaker thanked voters, especially "the 52 percent young voters" for rejecting war criminals in the election.

Meanwhile, the SCF is yet to decide whether AK Khandaker would continue to hold the top post of the Liberation War heroes after taking oath as a cabinet member or not.

"The Forum may discuss the issue at a meeting today," said Harun Habib, Chairman of Media and Publication Committee of SCF.

However, the close associates of AK Khandaker do not find any problem in continuing the duty as the SCF is not a profitable or registered organisation.

"SCF is not a profitable or registered organisation. So the Minister may not need to resign," said Anwar Kabir, Media coordinator of the Forum.

About his activities with the Planning Ministry AK Khandaker said that they would develop it as the think-tank of the government.

"The Planning Ministry should always act as the think-tank of the government," he told reporters on his first day at work at the planning ministry yesterday.

The new Planning Minister said the size of the annual development programme (ADP) should be kept within the reach of the country's economy.

"However, there can be exceptions in some cases," he said.

The ex-air force chief was greeted by his civil servants led by planning secretary Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury upon his arrival around 10.30am.

Khandaker held a meeting with secretaries, members of the Planning Commission and planning division officials.

"We are aiming to implement projects through strict monitoring so that the quality of the projects can improve and the money is spent meaningfully."

He said, the country would be on track to development if promises stated in Awami League's manifesto are implemented.

He thanked voters, especially "the 52 percent young voters" for rejecting war criminals in the election.