September 20, 2013

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Washington invites AL and BNP for talks Khaleda replies to Kerry’s letter, Hasina will reply in a few days Pratim Bhattacharjee and n Partha Mohammad Al-Masum Molla A BNP delegation is likely to visit the USA early next month at the invitation of the State Department to discuss Bangladesh’s political crisis and to engage in a dialogue with the Awami League to find a solution for polls-time arrangement.

A highly placed source at the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the Dhaka Tribune last night that the Awami League got the invitation of the US State Department. However, a number of senior leaders of the party said they had no idea about such initiative.

A senior leader of the opposition BNP said: “A BNP team comprising a few members is likely to visit Washington DC at the invitation of the US State Department with the objective of reducing the gap between the two ma-

jor political parties and coming to some kind of electoral arrangement, in the wake of failure of the UN mediation.”

A number of BNP leaders said they were preparing for the talks, but yet to finalise the team.

AL Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu, who is to accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, said: “Why do we have to go to the USA for a dialogue? We can talk here in Bangladesh.”

When asked whether the AL received any invitation from the State Department, Amu said: “I do not think this is correct.”

Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday to attend the 68th UNGA session, and return home on September 30. A number of senior Awami League leaders and ministers  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

QUADER MOLLA VERDICT

Execution ‘possible’ on short verdict n Nazmus Sakib The government can hang Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla till death after getting certified copy of the order pronounced by the Appellate Division on Tuesday, legal professionals said. However, the defence claims it is not possible.

“What the apex court declared is the main or operative part of the verdict.

So after getting its certified copy, the government can any time execute the death sentence,” Additional Attorney General MK Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.

Law Commission member Prof Shah Alam, who played an important role in the improvement of the tribunal law, echoed the same view.

They said the war crimes cases are dealt under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which has protection of the constitution. According to section 20(3) of the Act, “the sentence awarded under this Act shall be carried out in accordance with the orders of the government.”

Following the Appellate Division

verdict, the defence lawyers of Quader Molla said they would file review petition against the judgement.

MK Rahman refers to article 105 of the construction that says: “The Appellate Division shall have the power, subject to the provisions of any Act of parliament or of any rules made by that division to review any judgement pronounced or order made by it.”

He said the review was subject to the Act of parliament, and in this regard, the tribunal law too is an Act of parliament.

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Law Commission member Prof Shah Alam and legal expert Shahdin Malik opposed the view of defence.

They said the constitution curtails the scope of review petition of anyone who is convicted for crimes against humanity, and “the tribunal law does not tell about review, it just gives the right of appeal.”

Moreover, according to the Appellate Division Rules, 1988, a review petition could only be entertained when  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

PADMA SCAM

Abul Hasan bins allegations n Syed Samiul Basher Anik and Kailash Sarkar

Former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, who has been charged by Canadian police of bribery in connection with the Padma Bridge scam, yesterday denied all allegations.

He told the Dhaka Tribune: “On a request from Ziaul Huq, I arranged a meeting between the [former] communications minister and the SNCLavalin officials. But I did not receive any immoral proposal, neither did the minister.”

About the charges against him, he said: “It has surprised me but I also suspect a conspiracy behind it.” But he did not elaborate who was behind it and why.

Responding to another related query he said: “I am yet to be officially informed of the charges by the Canadian authorities. Let me get them first.”

Ziaul Huq, who is related to Abul Hasan, was the local representative for Canadian company SNC-Lavalin, which contested to supervise the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, who was injured by a petrol bomb hurled by activists of Jamaat-e-Islami during its 48-hour hartal, lies in a DMCH burn unit bed with most of his body plastered MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

ATTACKS ON VEHICLES DURING JAMAAT HARTAL

Three drivers fighting for their lives n Mohammad Jamil Khan Their only mistake was that they dared to go out onto the streets to earn for their families, defying a political strike.

During the 48-hour countrywide shutdown called by Jamaat-e-Islami, party activists targeted dozens of vehicles with firebombs and brickbats, leaving several drivers seriously injured, and at least one dead.

Three of the drivers -one bus driver and two truckers- are now fighting for their lives at the Burn and Plastic Surgery unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

P2

Business

B3 The commerce ministry is facing pressure from the local hilsa traders to lift ban on the export of the fish.

Hilsa is as popular in the Indian state of West Bengal as it is in Bangladesh.

News

6 The online registration of overseas jobseekers will start on September 22 and continue till October 10, said the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister.

Nation

7 Indian goods are being smuggled into the country through different border points as border guards of both India and Bangladesh, manning those points, remain inattentive to illegal crossborder trades.

International

8 Fighting between Philippine forces and Muslim rebels in a southern city has been confined to just two areas and should be over soon.

11 Zafar Sobhan: Everywhere I go, the burning question that is on everyone’s lips is: Will there be an election? The corollary question is always: How do we get to free and fair elections, participated in by all the parties?

As he was heading towards Azimpur in the capital on Wednesday morning, a group of hartal supporters suddenly stopped the crowded bus at the Gazipur bypass and set fire to it with a petrol bomb.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

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Relatives of Sikander Bepari look on with desperation in their eyes as he receives treatment at the burn unit of DMCH yesterday. Sikander, a truck driver, was hit by a petrol bomb hurled by pro-hartal activists in Comilla during Jamaat-e-Islami’s 48-hour countrywide shutdown MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU victims, told the Dhaka Tribune at the hospital. She wailed, and shouted for capital punishment for the people who were responsible for harming her family.

Sabina’s husband, Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan, 35, drives a passenger bus on the Azimpur-Gazipur route.

Jail for following ‘controversial’ posts proposed n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The government now proposes sentencing a person up to 14 years of imprisonment for merely following “objectionable” posts on Facebook or other social media.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Mostafa Faruque Mohammad yesterday tabled the proposal in a bill in parliament for amending the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 to include provisions to curb cybercrimes.

Defending the bill, Mostafa Faruque said it had been tabled “to stop misuse of the information and communication technology.”

The bill repeals the ICT (amendment) Ordinance 2013 which the rights groups termed a “black law.”

According to the bill, persons charged with cybercrimes would not get bail.

Bloggers Asif Mohiuddin, Mashiur Rahman Biplob, Subrata Adhikari Shuvo and Rasel Parvez, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman and rights organisation Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman have been arrested in cases filed under the ICT act.

TWO KILLED, 70 HURT

Doctors at the state-run hospital yesterday said the patients were in all in critical conditions, with burns to 5095% of their bodies.

Family members of the victims were seen waiting at the burns unit with vacant looks, as they have no one to support them or help with the treatment expenses.

“We have no other relatives to give us support, and I don’t know what to do with my two innocent daughters,” Sabina Begum, the wife of one of the

INSIDE

Op-Ed

SOCIAL MEDIA

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Thursday, September 19, 2013

2 killed, 70 injured on day two of Jamaat hartal

Constable shot by pro-hartal activists still in critical The party claims that around 300 activists were injured in police actions and 500 arrested in two days condition Dhaka Medical College Hospital. n Tribune Report Bogra: A 50-year-old truck driver Mohammad Jamil Khan n named Shamsul Haque was injured as Two more were killed and over 70 inPolice constable Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, who received bullet wounds in Chittagong during the first day of Jamaat’s 48-hour hartal, is yet to regain consciousness at the Intensive Care Unit of the capital’s National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH).

Jamaat-Shibir men allegedly shot the 23-year old constable at around 11am on Wednesday whilst he was performing his duties in the Jotpukuria-Phooltola area of Chittagong’s Satkania Upazila.

Iqbal was initially admitted to the Satkania upazila health complex, but was moved to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where he went under surgery. He was later transferred to NIDCH as his condition deteriorated.

The doctors at NIDCH performed a four-hour long surgery on the constable, but said Iqbal was still in a critical condition.

Mohammad Bashir Ahmed, coordinator of NIDCH, told reporters that doctors were able to recover three bullets from Iqbal’s chest, stomach and diaphragm during the surgery.

He said expert physicians were taking care of Iqbal at the ICU, as he was still not out of danger.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker visited the NIDCH yesterday morning to observe the treatment of Iqbal. During his visit, he requested doctors to use all necessary treatment to ensure Iqbal’s recovery.

Additional Inspector General of Police Md Moinur Rahman and AIGP Rokhfar Sultana Khanam also accompanied the IGP during the visit. l

jured yesterday on the second day of the 48-hour hartal enforced by Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the death penalty handed down to war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.

One of the two deceased was a Jamaat activist, who was killed in Meherpur in a clash with police. The other was a passenger of an auto-rickshaw who was allegedly killed by pickets in Sirajganj.

Incidents of clashes, arson attacks, vandalism and explosions also took place in the capital and elsewhere in the country. Law enforcers arrested many leaders and activists of Jamaat and its students front Islami Chhatra Shibir from different parts of the country.

On Wednesday – the first day of the shutdown – pickets allegedly killed the driver of an auto-rickshaw in Noakhali.

Jamaat called the hartal on Tuesday soon after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court sentenced the Jamaat assistant secretary general to death, overruling the International Crimes Tribunal judgement that had given him life term for crimes committed against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Jamaat acting secretary general Rafiqul Islam Khan yesterday claimed that around 300 party activists were injured in police actions and 500 were arrested by police during the 48-hour hartal.

Meherpur: Apart from the death of Jamaat activist Delwar Hossain, 40, about 50 others, including policemen, were injured in clashes between law enforcers and pickets in Mujibnagar upazila. Of the injured, Abdul Mannan, sub-inspector of Mujibnagar police station, who sustained critical injuries

An armoured vehicle of police is seen in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters yesterday afternoon during the 48-hour shutdown enforced by Jamaat-e-Islami, a key component of the BNP-led opposition alliance RAJIB DHAR plosives-making materials. In another drive, Jatrabari police arrested 10 Shibir men at around 9:00am.

Gazipur: A bus driver along with 10 passengers were injured when Jamaat-Shibir men torched the bus on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Vogra bypass area in Joydevpur Upazila. Witnesses said a group of pickets disguised as passengers boarded on the bus and torched it around 8:30am. Injured driver Nazrul Islam, 45, was first admitted to a local clinic with severe burn injuries and later shifted to the

during the clash, was shifted to the Combined Medical Hospital (CMH) in Jessore. His condition was stated to be critical as he remained unconscious.

Two cases were filed against 300 leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir.

Sirajganj: The deceased passenger of the CNG-run auto-rickshaw was identified as Masud Hossain, 27. He sustained injuries after pickets attacked him at Sirajganj Sadar upazila. Witnesses said the auto-rickshaw skidded off the road after being chased by the pickets, who then swooped on the vehicle and mer-

cilessly beat up Masud and Alam, the other passenger.

Dhaka: Pickets clashed with police in Azimpur around 7:30am. During the clashes that followed, Jamaat-Shibir men hurled several crude bombs while police fired several rounds of teargas canisters. In the older part of Dhaka, Shibir men exploded at least seven crude bombs near the Jagannath University around 2:30pm.

Rab members arrested two people with a shooter gun, three crude bombs, gun powders and other ex-

No exact figure of PM’s team for UNGA

Execution ‘possible’ on short verdict

Washington invites AL and BNP

n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday could not say exactly how many people were going to accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New York for the upcoming UN General Assembly.

“At this moment, I cannot tell you the exact figure. We could perhaps tell you about this after September 22,” Dipu told a press briefing yesterday, ahead of her scheduled flight for the US late last night.

The delegation would include officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, a security detail, journalists, a business team and some eminent personalities Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday to attend the 68th UNGA session, and return home on September 30.

There have been allegations that a large number of people were included in the PM’s delegation on political consideration, and they would merely enjoy a pleasure trip at taxpayers’ money.

Dipu Moni said the PM’s delegation would include officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, a security detail, journalists, a business team and some eminent personalities. But the full, final list was not available yet, she added.

Meanwhile, Dipu said she was not aware of a planned meeting between the Bangladesh prime minister and her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh,

on the sideline of the UNGA. AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh permanent representative to the UN, on Wednesday told the Dhaka Tribune that the two South Asian leaders would meet on September 28.

“It is possible, the two permanent representatives have discussed the issue, and that’s why he said such thing,” she said.

The foreign ministry confirmed through an SMS around 8:30pm that the Hasina-Manmohan meeting would be held on September 28.

About a joint statement issued by the border forces of both countries on Wednesday, Dipu said she could not comment on it as she had not read the full text.

“Bangladesh side expressed their deep concern on the issues of killing/ injury and beating of Bangladeshi nationals at the border. Indian side also expressed deep concern over the issues of killing/injury and beating of Indian nationals at the border,” she said, referring to the first point of the six-point statement.

One foreign ministry official expressed surprise on how Bangladesh accepted such a joint statement as, he said, Border Guard Bangladesh does not kill any Indian nationals.

“If BSF (Border Security Force) kills their own people in India, why Bangladesh expressed concern over the issue?” he said.

However, the foreign minister, said: “Probably this statement is related to the people of both countries killed by BSF.” l

3 drivers fighting for their lives  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

All the passengers on the VIP No. 27 bus managed to scramble out of the burning vehicle, but the driver was unable to leave quickly enough. He suffered burns to 65% of his body.

Another victim, truck driver Sekendar Bepari, 42, was on his way to Chittagong from Dhaka on Wednesday night to deliver three power generators. After he stopped for a rest at Chouddogram in Comilla, around 40 pro-hartal activists attacked his truck and set it on fire. Bepari received burns to over 52% of his body before he could exit the vehicle.

While talking to this correspondent, his wife, Ruma Begum, fell to the floor and started sobbing.

“Why do problems like this only come to the door of poor people like us?” she cried. The couple has two school-going children, aged six and 10.

Another truck driver, Shamsur Rahman Samsu, 55, was going to Panchagarh from Shirajganj with a truck load-

ed with fertiliser. When he stopped for a break near the Bogra-Shahjahanpur road on Wednesday night, a group of hartal activists attacked the truck and set it ablaze.

His helper, Shahin, managed to get away from the burning truck. But Samsu, who tried to douse the flames, was overcomes by the flames. He is now in the intensive care unit with burn to 95% of his body.

His two wives, Golap Banu and Sabina Begum, were waiting outside the ICU door, worried about how they and their seven children would manage to survive if anything happened to Samsu.

Iqbal Ahmed, a doctor at the burn unit, said they were trying their best to treat the injured patients, who are all in critical conditions.

Also on Wednesday, Abu Naser, 45, an auto-rickshaw driver, died after he was attacked with sticks and brickbats by pro-hartal activists in the Talerchara area of Companiganj in Noakhali. l

an apparent error is found in the judgement.

According to the Bengal Jail Code, 1864, after getting certified copy of the verdict of death penalty, the jail authorities give seven days to the death-row convict for seeking presidential clemency. If he does not seek mercy within the stipulated time, then the death sentence will be executed not before 21 days and not after 28 days.

MK Rahman said: “It is the government which will decide whether they will follow the jail code or not, and it totally depends on the government in what process they will execute the death penalty.”

Prof Shah Alam told the Dhaka Tribune that if the defence moved to the apex court, their petition would be rejected.

Earlier, the government acting on short verdict of the Supreme Court as it annulled the caretaker government system, while the Election Commission barred Jamaat-e-Islami from contesting in the Barguna 2 by-polls.

Farid Uddin Khan, a key defence counsel for Quader Molla, claimed that execution was not possible on a short verdict.

He told the Dhaka Tribune: “When we get the certified copy, we will file a stay petition with the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division. The judge will send it to the five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain as the Chamber Judge has no authority to stay execution of the verdict.”

Farid added that after getting the full verdict, the defence would lodge a plea within 30 days so that the five-member bench could review the judgement.

Moreover, the decision on seeking presidential clemency depends on him and his family, the lawyer said. “We have nothing to do with the matter of mercy. There may be prescription from Jamaat.”

He said: “Seeking clemency means Quader Molla admits his guilt.”

Prof Asif Nazrul, a teacher of law department at Dhaka University, told the Dhaka Tribune: “If the defence files a stay plea after getting the certified copy, and the top court rejects it, then the execution of death penalty on the basis of short verdict is possible.”

He also said as the Appellate Division was the first court to give death penalty to Quader Molla, he should be given the right to review the judgement according to the principle of natural justice.

“In addition, the tribunal law does not say that review cannot be possible.

It is ultimately the apex court which will decide whether there is scope of review in the war crimes cases,” he added. l

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will also go with the prime minister, officials said.

Hasina changed her mind of not attending the UNGA a day after it was reported in the media. The prime minister, mentioning her “busy” schedule at home had told her cabinet colleagues on September 9 that she would not go to New York to attend the assembly.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia replied to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s letter, expressing her concern over the next polls.

“Khaleda Zia on Wednesday wrote to the US Secretary of State John Kerry,” Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, vice-chairman of the party, said yesterday.

A top official of the PMO said they were writing the draft of the reply to Kerry’s letter and it would be sent in a few days. Ambassador-at-large Ziauddin was preparing the draft, the official said.

Shamsher Mobin quoted Khaleda as saying in the letter: “The way world leaders expressed concern, the same way people of the country are also worried about the next polls. A meaningful dialogue is the only way to solve the prevailing political crisis.”

The letter states that the dialogue depends upon the government’s will, Mobin said, adding: “The United Nations took initiatives in the past and if it does it now, the BNP will respond positively.”

After receiving a letter from John Kerry, the BNP last Monday briefed foreign diplomats in Dhaka about the party’s stance on the next parliamen-

tary polls.

Kerry had sent letters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia on September 8, urging the two top leaders to find a way to hold free, fair and credible elections.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena went to the Prime Minister’s Office and the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office to hand over the letters. BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury received the letter for Khaleda.

Mozena declined to elaborate on the contents of Kerry’s letter: “Obviously I would not go into the context of the letters at all but the thrust of the letters is to encourage both leaders to find a way forward for free, fair and credible elections.

“The whole world is coming together to support elections in Bangladesh and then Secretary Kerry is adding his voice,” Mozena said.

Kerry wrote to the two top leaders just 15 days after the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had requested them over phone to reach an amicable solution.

Earlier in May, Ban had sent Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs, apparently to create grounds for a political dialogue.

Taranco met the prime minister, opposition leader, speaker, chief election commissioner, leaders of political parties and selected members of civil society.

After the meetings, he expressed concern that time was running out to find a solution to holding free, fair, credible and non-violent elections. l

Abul Hasan bins allegations  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

construction of the largest infrastructure project in Bangladesh.

On Wednesday, Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged four others in connection with the scam, Kevin Wallace, Mohammed Ismail and Ramesh Saha of SNC-Lavalin, and Zulfiquar Ali Bhuiyan, a Canadian citizen who has business ties in Bangladesh.

Since May, pre-trial hearings have been taking place in a Canadian court on the Padma Bridge scam.

On December 17 last year, the ACC filed a case of conspiracy against seven people –three SNC-Lavalin officials and four others including former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain. Syed Abul Hossain’s and Abul Hasan’s names were dropped from the case.

The commission has reportedly finished Bangladesh’s investigation and is waiting for the documents from Canada, especially Ramesh Saha’s diary to wrap up investigations.

It was learned that the diary contains a list of those who received 1012% commissions for the Padma Bridge

project, in a manner that is quite revealing it says: “Padma PCC, 4% Min, 2% Kaiser, 2% Nixon, 1% Secretary and 1% Moshi Rahman.”

According to the document “Min” refers to the former communication minister, “Kaiser” refers to the former state minister for foreign affairs and “Nixon” to the prime minister’s nephew Mujibur Rahman. “Secretary” is the former secretary while “Moshi Rahman” is the Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Mashiur Rahman. A 2% commission was set aside for someone whose name was not mentioned.

However, the ACC team that travelled to Canada had failed to collect a copy of the diary page which contains the code names. SNC-Lavalin used the code words “PCC” or “CC” to describe the hidden costs to get the contracts of design and supervision.

Ismail on May 15 told CBC News: “They interchangeably used the word, PCC. Sometimes it was ‘project consultancy cost’, sometimes ‘project commercial cost,’ but the real fact is the intention was bribe.”

ACC Commissioner M Sahabud-

pro-hartal activists set fire to his vehicle on the Dhaka-Bogra highway at Doshmail in Sherpur upazila around 10:00pm. He taken to the DMCH with severe burn injuries. Six Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists, including Vice-Chairman of Sherpur upazila unit Advocate Abdul Halim, were arrested in connection with the attack.

Comilla: Four covered vans were vandalized and several crude bombs were exploded in Chouddagram upazila.

In Sylhet: Jamaat-Shibir men vandalised a vehicle used by police and hurled bricks targeting the policemen.

Police detained one picket from the spot and seven others in connection with vandalism.

Barisal: Three pickets were jailed by a mobile court for torching three buses and vandalising a covered van in the C&B Colony area yesterday morning.

Rajshahi: At least four activists of Bangaldesh Chhatra League and one of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal were injured in a clash between the activists of Shibir and Chhatra Leaue yesterday afternoon. Chhatra League claimed that a group of Shibir activists attacked their activists in the Mirzapur area in Rajshahi city. The injured were identified as Prasenjit Das, Saddam Hossain, Nahid Islam and Sujan. Later, the Chhatra League men got organised and locked in a clash with the Jamaat-Shibir men.

During the clash, Chhatra League men hacked Mehedi Hasan, a fourth year student of chemistry of Rajshahi University, on suspicion that he was a Shibir activist. Mehedi was admitted to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition. l

Jail for following ‘controversial’  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

The cabinet approved the draft ICT (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 on August 19, proposing empowering law enforcers to arrest people without warrant for breaking the law and increasing the minimum jail term for the offence to seven years and maximum to 14 years.

The amendment was published in a gazette notification the next day.

In the original ICT Act 2006 enacted by the then BNP-Jamaat government, the maximum punishment for such offences was 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk10m.

Besides, police had to seek permission from the authorities concerned to file a case against and arrest anyone involved in crimes covered under the law.

The bill will now go to the parliamentary standing committee on the ICT ministry for further scrutiny and refer back to the House in seven days.

The bill is set to pass in the current session of parliament.

Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira tabled the Vested Properties Return (second amendment) Bill 2013 to extend the deadline for application to get back someone’s property that turned vested to December 31 from June 30.

The amendment also proposes formation of more tribunals to expedite disposal of applications.

The bill was sent to the standing committee on land ministry for scrutiny.

The House also enacted a law on mandatory use of jute in packing. l

din yesterday said they had kept Abul Hasan under close watch. “The progress in the case and charges framed by the Canadian police will help us completing the investigation,” he told reporters at the ACC headquarters.

Though the name of Abul Hasan had been dropped from the ACC case, he could be charged too if the allegation was proved against him, the commissioner added.

He claimed that the ACC’s investigation had been conducted in the right path as it made the SNC-Lavalin officials accused in the conspiracy case.

ACC Chairman M Bodiuzzaman, who is now in an official tour in Rangpur, said the commission did not relieve Abul Hasan and Abul Hossain from the case. “The commission will take its decision as soon as the investigation is complete.”

The Padma Bridge work stalled in late 2011 after lead financier World Bank had suspended its pledged fund raising corruption allegations. The Canada police started investigation into the allegation on a request from the Bank. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, September 20, 2013

3

Zabed Ali’s comment indecent: BNP n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The main opposition BNP yesterday termed the incumbent Election Commission “subservient to the government” and alleged that a lot of irregularities had taken place in the process of updating the voter list.

“The number of female voters has reduced to 1.4m from what it was in 2008. According to an audit by the Election Commission Working Group conducted last January, 15% voters’ ID numbers are wrong.

“If the ID number is wrong, then obviously the voter list is not correct,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general of the party, told journalists at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

Rizvi alleged that partisan people had been involved in updating the voter list. “We came to know from newspapers that one person had been listed as a voter at different places,” he said.

“That the Election Commission is spineless is proved through its move to cancel article 91 (E) of the RPO [the Representation of the People Order],” he said.

The BNP leader also condemned Election Commissioner Zabed Ali’s

Felani justiceseekers denied entry n UNB A Kolkata-based human rights activist and a retired judge of the Indian Supreme Court have been denied visas to enter Bangladesh, where they intended to do work related to a case seeking justice for the murder of Felani by the BSF. They are Kirity Roy, head of MASUM that works to stop border killings, and retired justice Maloy Sengupta. Kirity had applied for a tourist visa. And Maloy had submitted letters of invitation from organisations like Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and BLAST. Speaking to BBC Bangla on Wednesday, Roy claimed quite unequivocally that the rejection was aimed at killing off any chance of progress in the public interest litigation case they intended to bring in India’s Supreme Court seeking punishment of the BSF soldier who had killed Felani on January 7, 2011 when she was crossing the barbed-wire fence with her father.

Recently, Amiya was acquitted by a special court of the BSF on grounds of “inconclusive and insufficient” evidence against him. But on September 15, a revision trial was ordered by the BSF’s “competent authority” upon review of the trial proceedings and available evidence.

Side by side, MASUM announced that it was considering pressing ahead with a separate case in the Supreme Court protesting the unjust verdict. Kirity confirmed to BBC Bangla that their visit was meant to take in work towards building the case in the Supreme Court, including meeting with members of Felani’s family.

But the fact of Kirity’s visa rejection, not to forget Justice Maloy, would suggest somewhere along the line, most likely in high places, the cause of justice is overlooked. l

Razzaq discusses war crimes issues, politics with British HC n Manik Miazee Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Barrister Abdur Razzaq yesterday met British High Commissioner Robert Gibson at the High Commission in the capital, and discussed political issues and the ongoing war crimes trials.

The two-hour meeting began at 4:30pm at the high commission, Abdur Razzaq told the Dhaka Tribune over phone.

He added that the current political situation and judgments on war crimes cases were among the issues discussed.

Responding to a query on the recent verdict against Quader Molla, Abdur Razzaq said: “Quader Molla is a political leader of our party, so we also discussed the issue as well.”

“He [Gibson] asked us about the party’s [Jamaat] current situation and we updated him on it,” Abdur Razzaq said.

The Jamaat leader also said they discussed the high court’s ruling against the legality of Jamaat as a political party. British Deputy High Commissioner Nick Low also attended the meeting, Abdur Razzaq informed. l

statement regarding Leader of the Opposition and BNP chief Khaleda Zia. “Zabed Ali’s statement and expression is indecent. It is a disrespect to the three-time prime minister and national leader [Khaleda]. His statement proves that the opposition leader’s allegation was correct,” Rizvi said, adding that making the statement the EC had lost its neutrality.

Khaleda had criticised the commission, saying it had no backbone and there was still time for the EC to stand on its own feet.

Refuting Khaleda’s remark, Zabed Ali on Wednesday said they were fine and their backbone was straight as they were working to ensure equal scope for all candidates during the polls.

“See, I am 63 years old and I am fine.

As per medical reports, my backbone is still straight,” Zabed told journalists, standing up from his seat.

Regarding the prime minister’s advice to Khaleda that she should go to an eye doctor because she could not see the development work across the country, Rizvi said: “The way the prime minister and her colleagues are lying to the nation, people of the country might demand for ECG and CT scan to find out if the ruling party men had their sanity.” l

Activists of Awami Jubo League stage a rally yesterday blocking the busy road in front of Tejgaon College in the capital’s Farmgate area to protest the 48-hour hartal enforced by Jamaat-e-Islami RAJIB DHAR

Police to counter any further attack: Home minister

The minister also terms the countrywide violent protest of Jamaat-Shibir after the verdict of Quader Molla ‘seditious’ n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir yesterday warned that police would counter any attack they came under.

“Police have tolerated a lot in recent times while working as people’s friends, but if any quarter launches further attacks on them, they will counter it,” he told reporters in Chittagong.

He was visiting the Enayet Bazar area in the port city around 3:30pm. Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir had torched three vehicles, including a police truck, and vandalised five others and exploded 20 crude bombs at Enayet Bazar on Tuesday. Five policemen were injured in the attack.

Chittagong Deputy Commissioner

Abdul Mannan, Deputy Inspector General Nowsher Ali of Chittagong range, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Shafiqur Rahman, CMP Additional Police Commissioner Banaz Kumar Majumder, Rapid Action Battalion 7 Commander M Sahed Karim, Chittagong Superintendent of Police AKM Hafiz Akhter, and other high officials of CMP, district range and Rab accompanied the home minister on the visit.

Earlier in a programme of Bangladesh Coast Guard (East Zone), MK Alamgir termed the countrywide violent protest of Jamaat-Shibir activists following the verdict of Quader Molla seditious and contemptuous of court.

The USA handed over six metal

Tribunal accepts charges against Maulana Subhan n Udisa Islam The war crimes tribunal yesterday took into cognisance the charges against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdus Subhan and set October 2 for indictment hearing.

The prosecution submitted the formal charges against the Jamaat nayebe-ameer on September 15. Maulana Subhan is facing nine charges of crimes against humanity he had allegedly committed in Pabna during the 1971 Liberation War. The charges include genocide, murder, torture, arson, abduction, loot, confinement and conspiracy. The investigation agency has named 41 witnesses in the case.

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir said they had perused the formal charges and statements of the witnesses along with other documents submitted by the prosecution and found that there was a strong case against the accused.

Therefore, October 2 was set for beginning the hearing on framing of the charges.

At the same time, the tribunal directed the prosecution to submit a copy of the formal charges and other documents to the tribunal by yesterday. The tribunal will then pass those to the defence team. The tribunal also directed

both the prosecution and the defence to appear before the tribunal on the hearing day with full preparation.

Maulana Subhan, 84, was in the dock during this time.

The charges include genocide, murder, torture, arson, abduction, loot, confinement and conspiracy Prosecutors Sultan Mahmud and Rezina Sultana, and defence counsels Gazi H Tamim and Abdus Sattar were present at the court during the hearing.

However, no senior defence counsel was present, as usual, since it was a hartal day.

According to the charges, Maulana Subhan was the acting ameer of Pabna district Jamaat during the war, and a key leader of the collaborators’ forces – Peace Committee, razakar, al-Badr, al-Shams and Mujaheed Bahini – in the region. He was nominated for the by-elections held in late 1971.

In 1972, he was accused by a special tribunal for collaborating with the Pakistani occupation army. The tribunal asked him to be present on February 29.

But he did not as he had fled to Pakistan with then Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam.

After 40 years, detectives arrested him on September 20 last year. l

shark boats to the coastguard at the programme.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena was present in the programme as a special guest. Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Kazi Sarwar Hossain and Awami League lawmaker Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed were present, among others.

Citing Bangladesh’s progress in every sector, the US ambassador said: “The emerging tiger is roaring up. Bangladesh will be a developed country within a short time. The USA will always help Bangladesh for its development “The USA will give a 378-feet long vessel to Bangladesh Navy next year, which will be the largest ship in the country,” he said, adding that the US

The defence yesterday finished placing the closing arguments in the case against war crimes suspect Abdul Alim, a former minister of General Ziaur Rahman’s cabinet.

Placing their submissions for the fourth and last day, defence counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena told the International Crimes Tribunal 2 that the charges were politically motivated and malicious.

Alim is facing 17 charges of crimes against humanity he allegedly committed in Joypurhat during the 1971 Liberation War. The prosecution claims he was the chief of district Peace Committee at that time.

The defence counsel however says that the prosecution has failed to prove any of the accusations made against his client and pleaded for his acquittal.

The tribunal of Justice Obaidul Hasan, Justice Mojibur Rahman Miah and Jus-

A case was filed against nine people yesterday, including the officer-in-charge and the sub-inspector of the capital’s Mirpur Police Station, for their alleged torture on a lawyer to grab his land at Mirpur’s Borobagh.

The victim, advocate Sheikh Abdul Wahid, filed the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka.

Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibul Haque held a hearing and ordered a judicial inquiry into the case, reports UNB. According to the case statement, lawyer Sheikh Abdul Wahid was beaten up at the house of a retired police officer Abul Latif at Borobagh on September 2, in an attempt to grab Wahid’s four decimals of land.

It said the accused people, including the OC of Mirpur police station Salauddin and SI Chhanwar Hossain, were behind the alleged torture.

During the reported ordeal, Latif also pressed a pistol at Wahid’s head and forced him to give an undertaking. l

PM inaugurates new composite brigade for Padma bridge n BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed her firm determination to build an efficient, disciplined, wellequipped strong armed forces.

The premier termed the national armed forces the symbol of the country’s unity and sovereignty.

Sheikh Hasina came up with her speech while addressing a prime minister’s Darbar of members of Bangladesh Army at 20 BIR training ground in Dhaka Cantonment after raising the flag of newly established 99 Composite Brigade.

The 99 Composite Brigade has been established comprised of 20 Engineering Construction Battalion, 58 East Bengal Regiment and 34 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment to monitor the implementation of the Padma bridge project and maintain security.

Earlier, the premier hoisted the flag of the 99 Composite Brigade at a function at Army Aviation Hanger.

Communications Minister Obaidul Qader hoisted the flag of 58 East Bengal, PM’s Defence Advisor Major General (retd) Trique Ahmed Siddiqui hoisted flag of 34 BIR and Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan hoisted

Defence ends closing arguments in Alim case n Muktasree Chakma Sathi

provided logistic and training support to Bangladesh Coast Guard and navy.

Answering reporters’ queries about the Felani killing case after the programme, the home minister said the responsibility of the case totally was on India and its government had already given a verdict “that did not make us happy.”

On the upcoming election, MK Alamgir said the election would be held in due time as per the constitution and nothing would be done beyond the constitution.

He said no unelected force would form the government ignoring the constitution.

“If anybody wants to discuss the interim government, they can, but not beyond the constitution,” he said. l

OC, SI among 9 sued for ‘torturing’ lawyer n Tribune Report

tice Shahinur Islam set September 22 as the date for the prosecution to place their arguments on the legal points of their case.

Later in the day, the same tribunal recorded the cross-examination of Investigation Officer Ataur Rahman in the case against Chowdhury Mueen Uddin.

The questioning remained unfinished at the end of proceedings. The tribunal also set September 22 for further procedure in the case. l

the flag of 20 Engineering Construction Battalion.

Cabinet members, naval chief Vice-Admiral M Farid Habib and air force chief Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari, parliament members and senior civil and military officials were present.

Addressing the Darbar, the prime minister said new infantry, armour, artillery, air defence and engineering units were being raised up to strengthen the Bangladesh Army according to Forces Goal-2030.

She said sophisticated arms and ammunitions were being procured to enhance effectiveness of the army and turn it into a modern force of global standard. “Necessary reforms and reconstitution of Bangladesh Army will continue in future,” she firmly said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government had taken decision in principle to increase the service length of the army personnel from soldier to major for more two years. Approval was also given for elevating the status of the posts of JCO to first class and sergeants to second class.

She said her government had already asked the Land Ministry to allocate 9,000 acres of land at Char

Kerring to Bangladesh Army to use for training purposes while process of handing over Char Jahajjiya was underway.

Side by side, process was going on to hand over 657.17 acre land in Ramu and 997 acre land in Ruma for construction of a full-fledged cantonment, she added.

The prime minister said the army was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the construction of the Padma bridge and other jobs because of its professional skill.

She extended her thanks to the members of the armed forces for their constant support to implement development programmes of the government.

In her speech, Sheikh Hasina highlighted the country’s socioeconomic political situation saying the country had achieved tremendous success in various sectors during the tenure of the present government.

Sheikh Hasina urged all to remain careful about the propaganda of a vested section against her government in the name of religion. She said no party except Awami League did so much works for promotion of Islam.

Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan also addressed the Darbar. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, September 20, 2013

CEC bins media report on his talk with Khaleda National ID card distribution in Dhaka from September 25 tion. “We did not discuss any political Khalada Zia and CEC over telephone. n Mohammad Zakaria The CEC emphatically said that he had issues. We talked about social issues.”

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad has denied the media reports that he had a talk with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia over telephone on Tuesday.

“Where did you find the story from that I don’t know? I did not talk to her,” he snapped at reporters at the Election Commission secretariat after emerging from a meeting.

On Wednesday a number of dailies ran report on a conversation between

never had a conversation with Khaleda Zia since he joined the commission.

Kazi Rakibuddin requested journalists to publish objective reports as they were accountable to people.

“Journalists should run authentic reports to help people. Do not write any such reports that generates confusion,” he observed.

He, however, said he met Moyeen Khan at his office on Tuesday afternoon and it was merely a personal conversa-

The EC in a press release stated that the report on a telephone conversation between Khaleda Zia and CEC published in a number of daily newspapers is totally imaginary and baseless.

The press release also said BNP leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan met the CEC on September 17 at the election commission office as per an earlier schedule.

“The discussion centred on some problems of Moyeen Khan’s electoral constituency. As they are known to

each other topics like moral and ethical degradation in the society too came up in their talk. It has got to do nothing with current politics,” it read.

When the EC is preparing to hold free, fair and credible election, such type of imaginary and false report may create confusion in people’s mind.

Meanwhile, he said, the distribution of National ID card in Dhaka will begin on September 25 and cards will be delivered at homes. The delivery of the rest of the ID cards in other districts will begin later in phases, he said. l

Fake PMO official caught at secretariat n Mohosinul Karim An impostor, who posed as a senior assistant secretary to the prime minister’s office, was caught redhanded from the finance ministry yesterday.

Masud Rana Patwary, the fake official, was handed over to the police of the secretariat’s security branch, while a case was also filed against him with Shahbag police station, on charges of illegal entrance to the secretariat and fraudulence.

Mashiur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of secretariat police, told journalists that Masud went to

Three people murdered in Barisal

Seven days remand for Bimolindu Chakma murderer n Our Correspondent, Rangamati

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

The Chief Judicial Magistrate court of Rangamati yesterday granted police seven days remand of Jotirmoy Chakma, the primary accused in the Bimolindu Chakma murder case.

Sub-Inspector (SI) and investigation officer of the case Md Alauddin said police, acting on information from a source, arrested Jotirmoy near Manikchhari in Shapsori union, Rangamati.

Following the arrest, police produced him before the courts and requested that he be remanded for 10 days, but Magistrate Tahamina Afrozi Choudhury granted seven them 7 days.

Earlier, on August 29, a group of armed men led by Jotirmoy abducted Bimolindu, a Suvalong union porishad member, the SI said.

Bimolindu’s wife filed a case with the Barkal police station as Jotirmoy was missing since the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, after hearing the news of Jotirmoy Chakma’s arrest, around 200 indigenous people from Rupban village organised a demonstration, demanding Jotirmoy receive the death sentence. l

PDB official stabbed in Faridpur n Our Correspondent, Faridpur An executive engineer at Bangladesh Power Development Board was stabbed in his office at Goalchamat, Faridpur yesterday.

According to sources, a group of five people attacked the engineer when he was alone in his office. He sustained injuries to his chest and hand during the attack which occurred around 3:30pm.

Syad Mohsinul Haque, OC of Kotwali police station, said rivalry over tenders is a possible motive for the attack. l

WEATHER

No possible change in temperature n UNB Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at many places over Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions until 6pm today.

Moderately heavy falls are also likely at places over the country, Met Office said. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:57pm today and rises at 5:47am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 35.5 degree Celsius was recorded yesterday at Sylhet and lowest 23.0 degrees at Kutubdia. Highest and lowest temperature recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

32.9 31.1 34.2 33.4 33.2 30.7 35.5 32.0

26.6 25.4 26.7 27.0 26.6 26.0 26.0 25.6

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

4:31am 5:45am 11:52pm 4:15pm 5:57pm 7:13pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

the finance minister’s personal secretary SM Zakaria’s office yesterday and sought an appointment with the minister, after identifying himself as an officer of BCS 24th batch.

However, Masud tried to flee when Zakaria challenged his identity. Police constable Abdur Rahman managed to apprehend the impostor and handed him over to the secretariat police.

Mashiur informed that Masud originally hails from Agla Panchgaon of Chandpur district and has a dredging business.

The accused allegedly went to meet the finance minister for getting a job recommendation for his wife. l

Although already overloaded with commuters, a train awaits more passengers on the railway tracks in Gandaria beside a slum in downtown Dhaka. On hartal days people heavily depend on trains since other long-route vehicles do not ply MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

RADAR PURCHASE GRAFT CASE

Court records cross-examination of one witness n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka Court yesterday partly recorded the cross-examination of one witness in the radar purchase corruption case filed against former military dictator Hussein Muhammad Ershad and four others.

Divisional Special Judge Mohammad Nurul Islam recorded the statement and fixed October 3 as the date for the completion of the cross-examination.

Defence lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam cross-examined the witness and Ershad was not present in the court. The prosecution has so far produced 11 witnesses for cross-examination.

Anti-Corruption Commission Depu-

ty Director Manjur Ahmed, also a member of the investigation team, made his deposition on July 11 as the prosecution witness for the case.

He is 11th prosecution witness in the case.

The then Anti-Corruption officer and Assistant Superintendent of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Md Ali Haider filed the case with the Cantonment Police Station in the capital on April 4, 1992.

After a long investigation, Investigation Officer Manjur Ahmed and National Board of Revenue official Abdus Sattar Sarker submitted the charge sheet before the court in 1994, accusing Ershad and the four others.

On August 12, 1995, a charge was

AL to face Jamaat politically, says Hanif n Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif yesterday vowed to resist Jamaat-e-Islami, “politically and legally”.

“Jamaat did not yet make apologies for its misdeeds in 1971. Moreover the organisation is creating anarchy and has proved themselves as a terrorist party,” he said, vowing to resist Jamaat’s anarchic activities through legal and political pathways.

Hanif, also a special assistant to the Prime Minister, made the remarks while addressing a rally in front of Tejgoan College, organised by Jubo League’s Dhaka City (North) unit, protesting Jamaat’s 48-hour Hartal.

Regarding opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s remarks on resisting a one-sided election, Hanif said: “No party has the capacity to resist the elections.”

The upcoming national polls would take place in a timely manner under Sheikh Hasina and would be in accordance with the constitution, the AL leader said.

Criticizing Khaleda for her remarks, Hanif said the opposition leader was behaving like a militant by resisting the upcoming national elections, adding that citizens do not want militants to regain power.

Hanif also criticised the hartal, saying the Hajj pilgrims were facing indescribable sufferings because of the hartal enforced by Jamaat.

Dhaka City (North) unit Jubo League president Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil presided over the rally, which was also addressed by local lawmaker Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruque Chowdhury, General Secretary Harun-ar-Rashid, among others. l

framed against the accused. But the trial proceedings in the lower court were stalled for a long time due to a High Court order.

In the case history, the complainant stated that when Ershad was president he, in collusion with the four other accused, purchased radars for the Bangladesh Air Force by misusing his power, costing the state coffers Tk640.4m.

The others accused in the case are former Air Force chief Air vice Marshal (retired) Sultan Ahmed, Momtaj Uddin Ahmed and Director of United Traders AKM Musa.

AKM Musa has been absconding since the case was filed, while the fourth person accused, Shazed Ali, was dropped from the charge sheet.l

Three people were killed, including a mother and her three-month-old daughter, in separate incidents in Barisal yesterday.

Among the dead, were Sukhi Begum, 26, and her daughter. The mother and her baby were both hacked to death. Police recovered the bodies from Pangsha village, Babuganj upazila of the district.

Md Shahidullah, OC of Barisal Airport police station, said rickshaw puller Khokon Howlader, 31, was the prime suspect in the killings, who was absconding.

Delwara Begum, Khokon’s stepmother, said the couple came to visit their village home on Wednesday and had a fight at night.

Khokan left home early in the morning, and Delwara found Sukhi and her child daed around 10am.

In another incident Amulya Ratan Sarkar, 80, was beaten to death in a clash over a land dispute yesterday.

Police said a group of people, led by Swapan Ballav, tried to start construction work on land owned by Amulya at Baropaikkya village, Agoijhara upazila.

Witnesses said Amulya, with his family members, tried to protest against the construction. An altercation occurred and the group beat the 80 year-old to death on the spot. A case was lodged connection with the attack. l

SB INSPECTOR KILLING CASE

Oishee’s friend Johny arrested from Badda n Tribune Report Oishee Rahman’s friend Johny alias Rony was arrested on Wednesday, because he is suspected of being involved in the double murder of her parents, Mahfuzur Rahman and Swapna Rahman.

A Detective Branch (DB) team detained him from Badda in the capital.

On Thursday, he was produced at the Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court by law enforcers who sought his remand.

The court granted five day remand for police to question him in relation to the ongoing investigation.

On August 16, police broke into the Chamelibagh flat where Rahman lived and found the bodies of Mahfuzur, a Special Branch (SB) inspector, and

his wife Swapna. The next day, their daughter Oishee, came to a police station seeking help, and handed over to DB. She confessed to killing her parents but later claimed she had confessed under duress and her lawyer petitioned the court seeking to retract her confessional statement.

Initially, Oishee said when she was lead astray by Johny and his wife Irin, who pushed drugs on her, and when her mother tried to restrict her from associating with them she became angry and decided to kill her parents.

Following her arrest, she named Johny as one of her accomplices and he went into hiding when police began to search for him in connection with the parricide incident. l

DGHS employees recruitment gets stuck n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is unable to publish the results of recruitment tests for 915 vacant posts for third and fourth class employees.

The Dhaka Tribune learned that though the DGHS planned to publish the results as soon as possible but it has been put on hold, after being served a notice by a lawyer, accusing the directorate of irregularities with the selection process.

Sources said the DGHS plans were hampered when a flood of last-moment recommendations from various influential persons in the government sought that the directorate select candidates they recommended.

The lawyer who used to work under Dr Kamal Hossain was rumoured to have filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC) to bar the directorate from publishing the recruitment test results. Sources said the directorate had

planned to publish results before the HC could issue a directive.

The legal notice states quite a few candidates who scored well in the written test were not asked to answer any of viva-voce questions, which was highly unusual.

If there was a court order in this regard, then the recruitment process might have to be put on hold Sources said the junior barrister filed the petition after he was approached by a candidate from Jessore who thought he might have not been recruited for “unlawful” reasons.

In the meantime, a high level official of DGHS told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they might have to drop plans to publish the results within a couple of days because the directorate had to consider hundreds of recommendations at the last minute.

He said one influential minister sent

a list of 48 names recently, strongly recommending all of them are recruited.

He added that over 1600 people had been recommended for recruitment by various influential persons, but there were only 915 vacancies.

He said he regretted candidates had unfortunately been waiting for many months for the results, but if there was a court order in this regard, then the recruitment process might have to be put on hold.

On Wednesday Dr Md Shah Newaz, DGHS director (administration), told the Dhaka Tribune a five member central recruitment committee was scheduled to finalise a list of those who will be recruited.

However, sources said the committee might not be able to finalise a list because there was intense pressure to include recommended candidates.

On April 24, 63,200 candidates sat for the written tests held in nine districts.

Out of whom, 2,745 appeared for the viva voce from July 26 to August 29. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Law

5

Friday, September 20, 2013

Consumer rights at a glance A director general of the Consumer Rights Protection Council is appointed to oversee the consumer rights practices throughout the country

CASE STORY

Companies are bound by their advertisements n Law Desk Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Company is a landmark case in England regarding consumer protection and consumer contract. Carbolic Smoke Ball Company made a product called the “smoke ball” which claimed to be a cure for influenza and a number of other diseases. The company published advertisements claiming that it would pay £100 to anyone who got sick with influenza after using its product according to the instructions set out in the advertisement.

The advertisement said: “£100 reward will be paid by the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company to any person who contracts the increasing epidemic influenza colds, or any disease caused by taking cold, after having used the ball three times daily for two weeks, in accordance with the printed directions supplied with each ball. £1,000 is deposited with the Alliance Bank, Regent Street, showing our sincerity in the matter.”

Mrs Carlill saw the advertisement, bought one of the balls and used it three times daily for nearly two months until she contracted flu on January 17, 1892. She claimed £100 from the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company. They ignored two letters from her husband, a solicitor.

On a third request for her reward, they replied with an anonymous letter that, if it is used properly, the company had complete confidence in the smoke ball’s efficacy, but “to protect themselves against all fraudulent claims” they would need her to come to their office to use the ball each day and be checked by the secretary.

SYED LATIF HOSSAIN

n Farzana Afrin The Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 was enacted by the government of Bangladesh in April 2009 to ensure consumer protection by realising consumer’s right to quality goods and services at fair prices. It also highlights consumers’ right to information regarding quality, quantity, standard and value of the goods and services. To fulfil the objectives of this Act, a National Consumer Right Protection Council has been established. A director general of the Consumer Rights Protection Council is appointed to oversee the consumer rights practices throughout the country. To facilitate the functioning of National Consumer Right Protection Council, there shall be a district committee in every district named District Consumer Rights Protection Committee.

Who is a consumer?

According to the law, consumers are those persons who, for themselves or for their dependants, buy or use or obtain permission to use any product or service by offering a price, prompt or due or in instalments. In addition, any person using such products with the consent of the buyer will also be treated as a consumer. But if someone buys something for the purpose of resale or for any other commercial purpose, he or she shall not be considered as a consumer.

Rights of a consumer l

Right to obtain commodities or services at a price fixed by the authority or at a reasonable price

l

Right to have safe and pure products

l

Right to have necessary and correct information about products

l

Right to be informed of the qualities or defects (if any) of a particular product

l

Right to know the accurate quantity of the product

l

Right to know the utility, purity, and price of the product

l

Right to have products or services in correct quantity and quality

l

Right to have choice among similar products

l

Right to have protection against activities relating to purchase or sale of products by which life or property may be in danger

l

Right to have access to remedy in relation to violations of consumer rights

l

Right to have protection from concealment of information and unfair trade practices

Complaints about any anti-consumer rights practice under this Act have to be filed by any person to the director general or any person so authorised by the directorate within 30 days of the incident.

The authority upon receiving a complaint shall immediately investigate or inquire into such a complaint. If such a complaint is proved to be true after investigation, the director general or any officer authorised by him may, in his administrative action, impose fine upon the guilty person.

If any fine is imposed and realised, 25% of such realised fine shall immediately be paid to the complainant concerned.

If any regular criminal case is filed in a court or in a special tribunal under this Act and if the accused is fined upon found guilty and if the fine is realised, 25% of the realised fine shall be paid to the complainant concerned.

Any person may make complaint by examining the matter of adulteration or copying of goods in a public or private laboratory at his own initiative. l

l

Right to have protection from arbitrarily imposed sale conditions by the seller

Farzana Afrin is a lawyer and lecturer of legal studies.

Complaining is rewarding

ASK YOUR ADVOCATE

LAW HUMOUR

Question: I am a musician. I am the front man and the vocalist in a local band. We have composed a few songs together and have also produced a couple of albums. I wanted to know how we can secure our identity as a band over the content we have produced thus far.

Sajal Khan, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

of the band jointly. In the event of future disputes, one or two members cannot split up and start performing as a band under the original name. l

Answer: Thank you for your question. Usually forming a band is seldom seen as a legal matter. People get together and start doing music together. Members leave and new ones join in. It’s all in good faith. However, when a band becomes big and there are financial issues involved, often disputes may arise.

A band may break up or certain members may leave. Financial matters can become crucial then. From a legal point of view, a band should be seen as a business enterprise comprising of several partners. It is advisable to draw up a “partnership” agreement with the assistance of a lawyer.

The rights and obligations of each member should be clearly stated there including how proceeds of profit will be shared between and among the members.

Also important is to protect the name of the band as a legal entity. It is advisable to trademark the name of your band as an entity belonging to a group of individuals jointly. All contents produced and marketed will be the sole property

NOTICE BOARD

Advised by: Nabil Ahsan who is a practising lawyer in Bangladesh and a part-time lecturer of legal studies.

Send us queries for

Ask Your Advocate and also your articles on any legal issues at: law@dhakatribune.com

Dhaka Tribune

FR Tower, 8/c Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka- 1207 Visit our website at: www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Mrs Carlill brought a claim to court. The barristers representing her argued that the advertisement and her reliance on it was a contract between her and the company, and so they ought to pay. The company argued it was not a contract.

One of the issues of the case was the capacity of a company to make a contract with the whole world.

The court finally held that it was a contract. Judge Bowen, writing for the majority, held that the contract was not with the whole world, but rather with those who fulfill the stipulated conditions. He held that the terms were not vague, if read in their plain meaning, and a consumer would be entitled to reward if he/she used the ball for two weeks, three times a day and got the flu.

However, if one used the ball before the advertisement and got the flu, there would be no contract created due to no reliance of interest. As for mere puffery, the language of the advertisement indicating that they had £1,000 in the bank directly contradicts that claim.

Performance of the condition of the advertisement was sufficient acceptance and it was not necessary that Carbolic Smoke Ball Company be notified of the intention to be bound. He further ruled that the inconvenience of Mrs Carlill was sufficient consideration for this contract.

Judge Lindley wrote that notification of acceptance need not precede performance; in this case, acceptance was contemporaneous with performance.

Further, the offer and the nature of transaction were such that, it did not require notice of acceptance to be bound by it. Finally, Mrs Carlill was entitled to the reward as advertised by the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, September 20, 2013

Overseas jobseekers’ online registration starts Sunday Over 1.4m have already been registered Asked about the necessity of a new n Rabiul Islam registration drive, the minister said it The online registration of overseas jobseekers will start on September 22 and continue till October 10, said the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister.

Khandaker Musharraf Hossain, the minister, disclosed the information to journalists at his office yesterday, saying the registration will take place in the Information and Service Centers of all unions, towns and municipalities across the country.

Details of the aspirant jobseekers will be held on a database which, after October 10, wouldn’t be updated for another two years.

“No more registration drive will be conducted in the next two years. However, those who come of age (become 18 years old) during this time will be able to register,” he said.

Earlier, the ministry had registered over 1.4 million workers following an agreement between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur to send aspirant Bangladeshis to work in the Malaysian plantation sector.

was needed since the previous one was prepared for the plantation sector only, not for other sectors.

“This new database will incorporate information of all aspirants who can register for any country of their choosing and any job they have on their mind. It will be comprehensive.

“Through this, we are going to streamline the whole process of emigration and reduce related costs,” Musharraf added.

In order to register online, an aspirant worker will have to pay Tk250 – Tk150 as a registration fee and Tk100 for filling in the form. Registration will begin at 9am and continue till 5pm each day.

Sources said, the registration drive will start with Dhaka and Barisal divisions, followed by other divisions. In Dhaka and Barisal, it will be held between September 22 and 28.

The registration in Rajshahi, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions will be held between September 28 and October 4, and in Khulna and Chittagong divisions between October 4 and 10. l

A side of the city’s Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in gridlock during yesterday’s hartal as a rally protesting the shutdown took place near Farmgate

Cyber Crime Tribunal defers charge-framing hearing against Odhikar secretary n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka Cyber Crime Tribunal yesterday deferred the bail petition and charge framing hearing against human rights organisation Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and its Director AKM Nasiruddin Elan.

Cyber Crime Tribunal judge AKM Shamsul Alam fixed September 25 as the date for the next hearing.

Assistant Bench Officer of the tribunal Md Muktar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that as the public prosecutor of the tribunal was not yet appointed, the tribunal deferred the hearing. He also

said jail authorities could not produce the accused before the court because of the Jamaat enforced hartal.

Earlier, on September 11, the tribunal took into cognisance the charges against the accused and ordered the issue of an arrest warrant against another accused, Nasiruddin Elan, who is absconding.

That day, the tribunal directed the officer-in-charge of the Gulshan police station to execute the arrest warrant and submit a report before the tribunal

by September 19. The tribunal also asked the prison authority to produce Adilur before the tribunal for the

September 19 hearing.

The case document was transferred from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court to the Dhaka Cyber Crime Tribunal for trial on September 5 after the Detective Branch (DB) submitted specific charges to the Metropolitan Magistrate Court against Adilur and Elan.

The DB submitted the charges after investigating the General Diary (GD) on charges against them of distorting facts about the eviction drive against Hifazat-e-Islam at Shaapla Chattar on May 5.

The charges were pressed under three sections of the penal code, sources said.

Earlier, on August 10, plain-clothes police arrested Adilur near his Gulshan residence in the capital after Odikhar, in one of its recent report, claimed that 61 people were killed in the police drive on that “fateful” night on May 5.

On August 11, the court granted five days remand to police for the interrogation of Adilur and permitted the DB to search Adilur’s residence and office for documents.

On August 12, the High Court, in an order, halted the remand and sent him to prison. The HC also ordered to provide him division according to the Jail code. l

Government weakens judiciary, EC and ACC: Dr Kamal Hossain n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Constitution specialist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the government had curbed the power of the judiciary, the Election Commission and the AntiCorruption Commission.

He also said an election under the supervision of a political party-backed government would not be free, fair and credible.

Dr Kamal was addressing a rally as the chief guest at Laldighi Maidan in the port city.

Nagarik Oikkyo for National Interest and National Objectives hosted the programme, which began around 5:30pm.

Political violence cost 5% HSC pass rate: Nahid n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid addressing the inaugural ceremony of distribution of solar lamps among the students of remote areas in the city yesterday Focus Bangla

Attacks on Rajshahi Ganajagaran Mancha convenor protested n RU Correspondent Rajshahi University (RU) teachers and students yesterday formed a human chain on the campus protesting the attack on Rajshahi Ganajagaran Mancha and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote convenor Syed Shafiqul Alam.

Teachers and students of the university, under the banner of Kendrio Sangskritik Jote, brought out a procession from the RU Central Students’ Union building.

The procession ended in front of the Senate building around 11am, after passing through the campus streets.

They later formed a human chain on Paris Road on the campus grounds.

Earlier, on Wednesday night, a group of unidentified miscreants hurled a handmade bomb towards Shafiqul Alam while he was leading a procession brought out by activists of Rajshahi Ganajagaran Mancha at the Alupotti intersection of Rajshahi city around 8pm after the Supreme Court

sentenced Jamaat Assistant General Secretary Abdul Quader Molla to death in the morning.

Addressing the human chain, speakers condemned the attack on Shafiqul and demanded immediate identification and arrest of the assailants involved in the incident.

The speakers also alleged that antiliberation force activists could have carried out the attacks.

Prof Ananda Kumar Saha, convener of RU Progressive Teachers’ Society (PTS), Prof Sadekul Arefin Matin, RU student adviser, and Basudev Roy, RU Kendrio Sangskritik Jote president, addressed the programme, among others.

Meanwhile, 21 members of the RU PTS, in a written statement, condemned the attack and demanded punishment of the attackers.

RU PTS convener and members Prof SM Abu Bakar, Prof Muazzem Hossain Khan and Prof Syed Shamsuddin Ahmed were among the signatories of the statement. l

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has said BNP-Jamaat’s street violence has resulted in a 5% decrease in the HSC success rate this year.

In a written answer – distributed to the lawmakers and journalists yesterday in parliament – to a query from Awami League lawmaker Shadhana Halder, Nahid said the authorities had to shift the timetables of 33 HSC papers this year.

Halder, however, was absent during yesterday’s session of the House. She had earlier placed a question for the minister asking how many times the government had to change the schedules of the HSC examination due to BNP-Jamaat’s hartal, violence, vandalism and arson attacks. She also wanted to know about the reduction in the pass rate.

RAJIB DHAR

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury did not table the question because of Halder’s absence.

The committees [antinarcotics] have been counseling the students against drug addiction, Replying to another query from BNP lawmaker ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan, who was also absent, the minister told the House that the government had directed the authorities of the private universities to form anti-narcotic committees. Besides, they had been told to install closed-circuit TV cameras on their campuses.

“The committees [anti-narcotics] have been counseling the students against drug addiction,” said Nahid. l

In his address, the veteran politician said: “People are the actual source of power. If people stand against misdeeds, we can remove all sorts of evil from the society.”

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagarik Oikkyo, said the caretaker government system was not rejected as per the law, rather it was removed by amending the constitution according to the desires of Sheikh Hasina. “Sheik Hasina is lying for votes. So, her words cannot be believed,” he said.

Hundreds of people gathered at the rally which was also attended by various socio-political leaders and activists. l

Chhatra League men beat up Ruet student n RU Correspondent A group of activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League allegedly attacked a student over a minor matter at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The victim, Naem Hossain, is a fourth year student of the Civil Engineering department. Naem had an altercation with his classmate Bijoy during a meeting over study tour.

Later, a group of Chhatra League activists led by Bijoy, classmate of Naem, went to his room and started beating him with iron rods around 1:30am.

Prof Kamruzzaman Ripon, director of student welfare at the university, said he is investigating the incident. l

‘Slum people need water supply, sanitation supports’ n BSS There should be adequate measures of providing water supply and sanitation facilities towards the slum dwellers to bring them out from the vicious circle of poverty, speakers at a workshop yesterday said.

The speakers said the number of such marginalised people was gradually increasing in the urban area due to various manmade and natural catastrophes and those people needed some necessary supports so that they could mitigate their living and livelihood related problems.

The observations came at the dissemination workshop named “Action Research on Urban Poverty Reduction at Zianagar Slum in Rajshahi City” held at the Master Chef Conference hall of Rajshahi city.

The Village Education Resource Center (VERC) organised the workshop in association with the Water Aid Bangladesh.

In his welcome speech, Tapan Ku-

mar Shaha, area coordinator of the VERC, said the organisation had been putting out best of its efforts by implementing water and sanitation program in the slum areas.

The activities were being carried out in terms of distribution and promotion of latrine ring-slabs, installation of tube-wells for safe water use promotion with limited hygiene education for awareness rising.

Both the hardware items were distributed among the intervention area households at a subsidised rate and the approach was being widely practiced by the community people.

Managing Director of Rajshahi WASA Dhirendra Nath Sarker and Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering Bahar Uddin Mridha addressed the programme as the chief and special guests respectively.

Ward Councilors of Rajshahi City Corporation Ruhul Amin and Tahera Begum and Prof Niamul Bari, Prof

Golam Mostofa and Dr Redwanur Rahman of Rajshahi University also spoke on the occasion.

During his keynote presentation, Prof Dr Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, proVC of the RU, said supply of safe drinking water to the community peoples was very important to reduce urban poverty especially in slum area.

Health, environment and sanitation were interlinked with each other, he said, adding that environment had articulated impact on health and livelihood change.

Prof Chowdhury, a teacher of Geology and Mining department of the same university, said need-based intervention to environment and climate change at the moment had become inevitable.

Environment and climatic change had also obvious effect on water, sanitation and hygiene and the ultimate adverse effect causes increased health hazards and poverty in the urban slum area, he added. l

CM Murshed’s Qul Khawani today n Tribune Report Qul Khawani of CM Murshed will be held today after Asr prayers at his residence at Gulshan in the city, says a press release.

Friends, relatives and well-wishers are requested to attend and pray for his departed soul.

Murshed passed away at a city hospital on Monday. He was 85.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at Azad Mosque and he was buried at Kalshi graveyard in Mirpur. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Friday, September 20, 2013

‘Marriage of convenience’ at border Locals lay siege to Indian goods being smuggled into country at the expense of local produces

n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Indian goods are being smuggled into the country through different border points as border guards of both India and Bangladesh, manning those points, remain inattentive to illegal cross-border trades.

There are allegations that the guards sometimes “compromise” themselves by accepting bribe and allowing illegal arrivals, at the expense of local farmers who have to face stiff challenges from the relatively cheaper Indian goods and produces.

Local farmers, however, said with the cheaper Indian produces flooding the markets, they were facing difficulty in selling their own produces. They blamed members of law enforcement agencies for their slack monitoring According to sources familiar with the business, there is a wholesale market at the Zero Line border point in Mogholhat under the Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila which sells smuggled items, with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials “fully” aware of it.

Thousands of sacks of Indian betel nuts and different types of spices are

A man arranging goods smuggled from India through boat on No Man’s land DHAKA TRIBUNE

channelled through the border and sold here in broad daylight. Retailers from different areas of the district usually crowd this market.

These goods come by boat from Indian villages of Jaridharla, Daribash and Nagartari, located under the Dinhata police station of Cooch Behar dis-

trict in Paschimbanga, sources said.

Last week, a special team of BGB 15 battalion raided the area and seized 76 sacks of Indian betel nuts worth about Tk600,000, but locals said it was nothing more than a “perfunctory” exercise as business resumed on the very next day.

The market has been in operation

for the last five months with items sold as varied as betel nuts, phensydil, hemp, alcoholic drugs and substances and even arms and ammunitions.

The latter categories of items are smuggled through the sacks used for betel nuts.

“Two persons named Jamal Hossain and Jahangir Hossain were recruited as linemen with the responsibility to collect bribe from the smugglers. They take Tk50 for each sack of Indian items in the name of ‘managing’ BGB and police officials,” said a trader, on the condition of anonymity.

“It’s kind of like a marriage of convenience from which all parties involved want to have a profit. They save each other’s back,” he added.

Local farmers, however, said with the cheaper Indian produces flooding the markets, they were facing difficulty in selling their own produces. They blamed members of law enforcement agencies for their slack monitoring.

In this regard, 15 BGB Battalion’s Mogholhat Company Commander Abdul Hamid admitted problems with checking the influx of smuggled goods. “If we have information that illegal items are being smuggled, through sacks of betel nuts or anything, we take action.”

He, however, denied allegations that BGB officials were taking bribe to allow smuggling. l

Bidyut office for smooth power supply n Our Correspondent, Noakhali Being irritated by frequent load shedding local people yesterday laid siege to Chatkhil Palli Bidyut office and confined officials at their office for an hour, demanding smooth electricity supply to the area.

People from all walks of life took part in the agitation started around 10am and demanded removal of the inefficient electricity officials.

The protestors said their normal activists were being hampered in the municipality area for the frequent power outage, adding, they get electricity only one to two hours a day.

“We only get electricity at midnight,” said a demonstrator.

The demonstrators said production at many small industries are being hampered for the frequent loadshedding and production had been reduced drastically.

Apprehending ominous, many labourers of these industries are thinking to change their profession.

Aman production will be badly hampered this year as district’s irrigation network remains mostly inoperative because of the loadshedding.

They also threatened to launch a tougher agitation programme if their demand was not met immediately.

On receiving information, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Chahali Md Tostory along with law enforcers rushed to spot and assured the protestors that district administration would take steps to ensure smooth power supply in the locality.

Getting his assurance, the local people withdrew their agitation programme.

According to the Chatkhil Palli Bidyut office, at least 17 megawatts electricity needs to cover the municipality area while only 10 megawatts are being supplied to the area.

District General Manager of Chatkhil Palli Bidyut office Gopal Chandra told the Dhaka Tribune that the information about power supply only one to two hours in a day was wrong, adding that his office usually supply more power to the residents regarding its capacity.

He said his office provide power supply to the area in the morning for four hours and in the evening for two hours.

He said they were trying their best to provide sufficient power the residents. l

Principal accused of poor administration Fodder crisis acute in Rajbari n Our Correspondent, Bandarban

Poor administration on the part of the principal of Bilchari Government Primary School in Lama Upazila, Bandarban district has allegedly jeopardised students’ education.

Guardians allege that the principal of the school, Sajeda Akhter, is frequently absent and on some days only arrives a few moments before the end of the school day.

This has led other teachers at the school to have reluctant attitudes to their duties, they claimed.

Dhum Cho Marma, a guardian of a student at the school, said: “The principal has been attending the school only two days a week.”

On a visit to the school, it was found that only two of the five teachers employed at the school were present.

Students were also seen playing outside one hour after school should have commenced.

The school, established in 1968, currently has at least 300 students.

The guardians also made allegations of money laundering and corruption against the principal The guardians also made allegations of money laundering and corruption against the principal.

They claim she is often absent due to her involvement in various land dispute cases.

In May of this year, parents of students at school submitted an application to the district primary education officer to have Sajeda Akhter transferred from the school.

However, no action has been taken thus far because of her strong political affiliation, parents alleged.

The president of the school committee, Sing Mong, said despite repeated warnings from the Upazila Education Officer, the principal’s attitude had not changed.

Sajeda Akhter denied all the allegations against her, saying she was currently on vacation.

Some guardians, who are also members of the school committee, said they would seek help from Bandarban lawmaker Bir Bahadur Ushei Singa and the Chairman of Parbatya Zila Parishad, Ke Shoi Hala, regarding the case.

Khogesh Chandra Sarker, the primary education officer of Lama Upazila, said: “We did not take any action because the allegations against the principal had not been proven.” l

n Our Correspondent, Rajbari

Although the receding water levels of river Padma had managed to bring some relief to Rajbari’s flood-affected people in the last couple of days, the victims are facing a new challenge of meeting the demand of cattle fodder for their livestock.

Several hundred flood-victims from around 20 shoals in the area are still living at flood shelters or elevated grounds with their belonging and livestock, as their land and homestead remain underwater because of the flooding.

Most of the flood-affected people had to leave behind their stock of fodders at home, while the inundation of the grazing land had made the fodder shortage more acute.

The flood-victims had so far re-

ceived 20kg of rice and other goods as relief material from the local union parishads, but Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Goalanda Sarwar Hossain told this correspondent that the cattle brought to the shelters could not be fed, as there had been no fodder allocated by the government.

Nazim uddin, 65, a resident of Dakatpara village in Daulatdia union, said he came to a local flood shelter with his belongings and cattle, as there was not an inch of earth left above water at his village.

Feroza Begum, 45, another flood-victim from Purbo Charbethury area, said cattle- rearing, which is the main livelihood of thousands of shoal residents, was under threat as the flood had claimed all the grazing fields.

Zamirun Begum, 55, who had taken shelter near the Daulatdia ferry termi-

nal, said although the family managed to move their belongings and livestock, the animals were now facing an acute shortage of fodder .

Another flood-victim, Atahar Ali from Chhoto Dhakla village, said he had to send his 10 cows to a relative’s house, as it was hard for the cattle to survive on the flood shelter embankment.

The District Livestock Officer Haripad Bishwash said 10 cattle had so far died during the floods. Authorities concerned had requested the government to allocate fodder as subsidy, he added.

The Goalanda UNO informed that the flood situation was improving because of receding water levels, adding that the affected people would be able to return home within a week.

The water level in river Padma was 47.2cm on Wednesday, which is 18.3cm below the danger level. l

Armed muggers snatch Tk516,000 from trader n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi Armed muggers snatched more than half a million Taka in cash from a textile businessman in the Madhyakandapara area of Narsingdi town yesterday afternoon.

According to police and witnesses, Liton Mia, from Bashail in the Narsingdi municipality, was returning home in a rickshaw after withdrawing Tk516,000 from the Narsingdi Bazar branch of the Dutch Bangla Bank.

When Liton reached the Suresh Oil Mill area around 1pm, three men stopped his rickshaw and snatched the money from him at gunpoint.

Liton runs a small power loom factory in the town. The businessman said he shouted out for help but nobody chased the muggers. They managed to flee on a motorcycle.

Ashaduzzaman, officer-in-charge of Narsingdi Sadar police station, said police were trying to arrest the culprits and recover the stolen money. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Contrabands seized in Comilla

Some 100 metres of Sirajganj Town Protection Embankment collapsed in Jamuna river yesterday, causing anxiety among townspeople

Burglary at CU post office n FM Mizanur Rahaman Burglars looted the post office on the Chittagong University (CU) campus early yesterday.

Campus sources said a group of robbers stormed the office after cutting through the grill on the window during the night. They then ransacked the office and stole one cellphone and an internet modem. Staff reported the incident after arriving in the morning to find the office ransacked.

The sub-postmaster of the CU branch, Abdur Rahim, said the burglars did not steal any important documents.

Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of the CU police outpost, said a case was lodged with Hathazari police station. l

FOCUS BANGLA

Understaffed health complex falters in Barguna n Tribune Desk The Betagi Upazila Health Complex in Barguna is failing to provide necessary health care to patients because of an acute crisis of doctors, with 25 of the 27 posts for physicians lying vacant.

The 50-bed facility is being run by Dr Rustom Ali, who is also the incumbent health and family planning officer of the upazila, reports UNB. Besides being understaffed, the hospital is also facing problems due to a lack of sufficient medical equipment, forcing patients in need of advanced medical care to travel to hospitals as far

afield as the divisional town and even in the capital.

In addition, the X-ray and ECG (Electrocardiography) machines have been out of order for the past four years.

According to sources, two medical officers of the complex, Lutfur Rahman and Byezitur Rahman, went to Dhaka to attend a training course on September 13 are not likely to return anytime soon.

To fill the gap created by their absence, Sagar Kumar Dutt, previously a deputy medical officer of a community clinic in Bibichini

union, was reassigned to the complex.

However, this was not enough to fill the gap.

Rustom Ali, said the higher authorities were informed of the manpower crisis as well as the shortage of equipment.

Barguna has not had a gynaecologist for the past one and a half years, said Civil Surgeon AHM Zahirul Islam, so “the problem with healthcare is not limited to Betagi only,” he added.

“Most of the posts for physicians as well as medical officers in the hospitals have remained vacant for long,” he said. l

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh in a drive seized Indian cloths worth Tk 2 crore from Paduar Bazar area in Sadar Dakshin upazila early Thursday. Tipped off, a team of BGB team led by Major Md Hasibul Alam, additional director operation of Comilla Sector, chased a Dhaka-bound covered van from Chouddagram around 4 am. At one stage, the smugglers fled away leaving behind the van. Later, the team seized 1,449 pieces of Indian saree and 235 three-piece sets from the covered van. The smuggled cloths were being taken to Dhaka. – UNB

Spoken English competition held in Narsingdi A spoken English competition, jointly organised by the Independent English Language Club and the English Language Forum, was held in Narsingdi on Wednesday. With the aim of creating a congenial environment for the promotion of spoken English skills among students, the competition was held at the Narsingdi Commerce College hall room. A total of 10 students from the college took part in the competition. Following the competition, the chief guest, the principal of Narsingdi Commerce College Ahivushan Chakrabarti, distributed prizes amongst the winners. The event was

attended by Abdur Rashid, who is the president of the Independent English Language Club and principal of Narsingdi Standard College, as well teachers from various colleges and students with a love for the English language. – Our Correspondent

Heroin peddler arrested

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested an alleged female heroin peddler from Kauria village in Jhikargachha upazila, Jessore on Wednesday. The arrestee was Lily Begum, of the village.

Sources of BGB 26 battalion said a patrol team of the border force arrested Lily from her house in the afternoon and recovered 20gm heroin from her possession. – UNB

Three robbers held in Jhenaidah Police nabbed three robbers in Harinakundu upazila, Jhenaidah yesterday. The arrestees were Liton Hossain, 30, Ziaur Rahman, 31, and Hossain Ali, 32, all from the village of Gurpara. Mahibul Islam, officer-in-charge of Harinakundu police station, said law enforcement personnel arrested the three as they were preparing to commit a robbery in Rishkhali village in the upazila. The three arrestees are being held in connection with a number of charges, including murder. – UNB

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Aquino hopeful as 8 more die in clash n Reuters, Zamboanga Fighting between Philippine forces and Muslim rebels in a southern city has been confined to just two areas and should be over soon, President Benigno Aquino said on Thursday.

But despite such optimism, heavy clashes broke out in parts of Zamboanga city on Thursday and eight rebels were killed and 15 surrendered in one district, said an army spokesman.

The gunmen, from a faction which objects to a deal the government reached with the country’s main Muslim rebel group, marched into Zamboanga on September 9.

The violence sits uncomfortably with the newfound reputation of the Christian-majority country as an emerging market success and one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

More than 100 people have been killed and about 112,000 displaced in 11 days of fighting with the rebels from a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Aqunio, who has been in Zamboanga overseeing the offensive and relief efforts for the displaced since last Friday, said only 20 civilian hostages were still in the hands of the rebels and fighting had been contained in two areas.

“I don’t expect this to take too long,” Aquino told a news conference in his first public appearance since Saturday.

The army said only 70 rebels were holding out after about 100 had either

Islamic militants on motorbikes drive

by Sameer Hanna Tanyous’s home in this southern Egyptian town and make a chilling gesture — running their fingers across their throats. Others, he says, shout warnings that security forces will not be there forever to protect him and other Christians.

This week, a large contingent of troops and police rolled into Dalga, backed by helicopter gunships, breaking the hold of Islamist hard-liners who seized control of the town of 120,000 in early July in a spasm of violence after the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.

Their grip terrorized the town’s Christians, as hard-liners torched and looted their homes, businesses and churches.

However, the relief felt by the town’s estimated 20,000 Christians was shortlived. They fear the troops will stay only long enough to make some arrests — and once they are gone, the backlash from militants against them will be even worse.

“We are too scared to talk even now with all this hokouma (government) in town,” Tanyous, a 40-year-old door-todoor salesman, said at the house of a local Coptic Orthodox priest. “One day, all this police and army will go and we will have no one on our side.”

Tanyous fled his home when a Muslim mob looted and torched it in mid-August, taken in with his wife and

Outrage in Greece over neo-Nazi killing of musician n AFP, Athens

Government soldiers are transported on a truck to reinforce their comrades fighting the Muslim rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines September 19, Police said, death toll in fighting between the soldiers and the rebels reached 104 people and displaced around 110,000 REUTERS surrendered or been captured, and 86 had been killed.

The violence has had no impact on Manila’s financial markets but it could make potential investors think twice before venturing into the poor but resource-rich south, which has untapped deposits of oil, gas and minerals.

Zamboanga was coming back to

Egyptian army offers no respite for southern town n AP, Dalga

Friday, September 20, 2013

children by a Muslim family. Emboldened by the troops’ presence, they returned this week to live in the burnedout, windowless husk. Immediately, the threats began, he said.

The predicament of Dalga’s Christians reflects that of the minority community across the country, especially in the rural communities of the south, where religious conservatism is prevalent among Muslims and hard-line Islamists wield considerable influence.

After the military ousted Morsi on July 3, his hard-line supporters unleashed a backlash of violence that largely targeted Christians, whom they accused of pushing for his removal. Christian homes and businesses around the country were attacked, particularly in provinces of the south, like Minya, where Dalga is located.

Security forces that retook control of Dalga on Monday have detained at least 130 militants. Troops backed by armored fighting vehicles check cars and pedestrians entering and leaving town, while policemen in pickup trucks cruise the streets.

The forces have been raiding homes searching for suspected militants and at times fire in the air or use tear gas to disperse pro-Morsi protests. The local police station is now home to a half dozen police generals and hundreds of policemen, with police in full riot gear milling around. l

life on Thursday with some banks and shops opening. Two flights, one with only 18 passengers, from Manila landed at the city’s airport.

Aquino said he would stay in the city until the crisis was over, and promised a 3.89bn pesos ($90m) reconstruction fund. Hundreds of houses and buildings were destroyed in the fighting.

The government was determined to bring peace to the south and would talk with all MNLF factions, including the group blamed for the Zamboanga violence, Aquino said.

“We will sit down with those who want peace, but, we will not allow those who want to sow violence,” he said. l

The Greek press railed on Thursday over the murder of a leftist musician by an alleged supporter of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, amid mounting calls for tighter control of the group.

“The cold-blooded murder of a citizen by a Golden Dawn supporter must awaken everyone,” liberal Kathimerini daily said in an editorial.

“There must be zero tolerance towards the criminal activity of this neo-Nazi organisation,” it said.

“The monster of Nazism kills – resist,” centre-left daily Ethnos urged Greece’s mainstream parties.

The calls came a day after police and protesters clashed as thousands demonstrated against fascism following the murder of popular hip hop artist Pavlos Fyssas.

The 34-year-old was fatally stabbed in the working-class Athens district of Keratsini early on Wednesday by a 45-year-old truck driver who later allegedly confessed his Golden Dawn affiliation to police.

The victim’s family said that Fyssas and a small group of friends had been ambushed by a large gang of Golden Dawn supporters outside a cafeteria.

The killing came amid the latest

Police storm Morsi stronghold near Cairo n Reuters, Cairo Egyptian security forces clashed with gunmen on the outskirts of Cairo on Thursday as the army-backed government moved to reassert control over an Islamist-dominated area where militants staged a bloody attack on a police station last month.

A police general was killed in an exchange of fire during the operation in Kerdasa, a town 14km from Cairo.

Dozens of police and army vehicles entered the town at daybreak. It was the second operation this week to restore control over an area where Islamist sympathies run deep and hostility to the authorities has grown since the army deposed President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood on July 3.

“The security forces will not retreat until Kerdasa is cleansed of all terrorist and criminal nests,” Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel Latif told state media.

The police were hunting 140 suspects.

There had been little or no sign of state authority in Kerdasa since an August 14 attack on its police station in which 11 officers were killed.

The building was hit with rocket-propelled grenades and torched after police had stormed pro-Mursi protest camps in Cairo and killed hundreds of his supporters.

The main suspects in the Kerdasa attack had been detained, state TV reported. Security sources said dozens of

Egyptian armed policemen patrol a street of Kerdassah on the outskirts of Cairo weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, had been seized, and 41 people were arrested.

Militant attacks have been on the rise since the overthrow of the Islamist Mursi, Egypt’s first freely-elected president.

The army is mounting an operation in the Sinai Peninsula against al-Qaeda-inspired groups. Shootings and bomb attacks have also taken place in the Nile Valley - two members of the armed forces were shot dead in the Nile Delta on Tuesday.

In Cairo on Thursday, explosives experts defused two primitive bombs on the metro public transport system.

The authorities say they are in a new war on terror against Islamist militants.

AFP

State media have labeled the Muslim Brotherhood, the group that propelled Mursi to power last year, as an enemy of the state.

Heavy gunfire was heard in a village near Kerdasa as police chased a group of men into side streets, TV footage showed. Gunfire appeared to hit near a police position.

Security forces in body armour and armed with automatic rifles fanned out in Kerdasa. Two policemen were wounded by a hand grenade thrown from a rooftop, security sources said.

Army checkpoints secured the entrances to the town. Tyres set ablaze to obstruct the operation smouldered in the roads. l

WORLD WATCH Man beheaded, woman beaten to death in India: police

A man was beheaded and his girlfriend beaten to death in an “honour killing” in northern India after they eloped, police said Thursday. The woman’s mother, father and uncle were arrested after the gruesome murders carried out in a village in the state of Haryana on Wednesday, police said. The couple were tracked down and brought back to their village in Rohtak district after they fled to the capital New Delhi, local police chief Anil Kumar said. The woman, 20, was allegedly beaten to death and then relatives, angry about their decision to leave, turned on her 22-year-old boyfriend, attacking him with sticks, Inspector-General Kumar told AFP. The pair had been in a relationship for three years. The woman was studying to be an art teacher while her boyfriend was also a student at a local college.

Greeks mourn anti-racism rapper stabbed to death

Young Nepalese girls dressed in the outfit of a Kumari, the living goddess, pose during Kumari Puja rituals at Hanuman Dhoka in Durbar Square of Kathmandu on September 17, 2013. Some 504 girls under the age of nine from across the country have been brought to the temple for mass worship, protection from evil, and good luck in the future AFP

In a tense atmosphere in an Athens cemetery, more than 2,000 mourners bid farewell on Thursday to an anti-racism rapper who was stabbed to death by a man sympathising with the far-right Golden Dawn party. The killing of 34-year-old Pavlos Fissas touched a nerve in Greece, where economic hardship has worsened social tensions and rallies in several cities to mark his death turned violent late on Wednesday. Fissas, who went by the stage name Killah P, was stabbed twice in the heart and chest on Tuesday night in a brawl after a football match shown in a cafe.

Giant yellow duck finds new home in Taiwan

A Dutch artist’s now-famous giant yellow duck found a new temporary home Thursday, this time in Taiwan, but an approaching typhoon could ruffle the inflatable’s feathers. Thousands of people watched and cheered as Florentijn Hofman’s 18-metre-tall duck – a slightly larger version of the one that captivated Hong Kong recently – was inaugurated at a dock of Kaohsiung harbour. The giant bath-toy replica will be on display for a month. However, it faces the imminent threat of Typhoon Usagi, which was gaining momentum while churning towards the island. The duck will be deflated and lifted to land as the storm closes in over the coming days.

‘Perfect’ white diamond unveiled in Hong Kong

A “perfect” white diamond which is expected to fetch a record price of up to $35m when it is auctioned in Hong Kong next month made its first appearance in the city Thursday. The egg-shaped 118.28-carat “Magnificent Oval Diamond” – the largest of its kind – stunned onlookers at a preview and could set a new record for the amount fetched by a white diamond at auction.

Although the official estimate is set between $28m and $35m, Sotheby’s says it could command more when it goes under the hammer at the auction house in Hong Kong on October 7. The current record is $26.74m.

wave of anti-austerity strikes in Greece, with thousands out in the streets protesting reforms the government has agreed to undertake in return for international bailout funds.

Following news of the Fyssas murder, those demonstrations quickly morphed into protests against fascism, with police firing tear gas at protesters in Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the western city of Patras.

Greece’s police minister, Nikos Dendias, said the government would toughen legislation on organised criminal activity to rein in Golden Dawn, which has been implicated in migrant beatings and attacks on rival party members.

Just days before Fyssas’s killing, members of the Communist party were assaulted by alleged Golden Dawn supporters whilst putting up posters in Perama, another working-class district near Keratsini.

Golden Dawn has repeatedly denied involvement in these incidents, and until now its ratings have steadily risen in a country weary of austerity and political corruption.

But its activity has exposed Greece to international criticism just four months before it assumes the rotating European Union presidency in January 2014. l

EU mission member killed in Kosovo shooting n AP, Mitrovika An EU customs officer in Kosovo was shot to death Thursday in the tense, Serb-dominated north, the EU Rule of Law Mission said.

The incident took place early Thursday during regular staff rotation when two EULEX vehicles came under fire from unknown persons, the Mission said in a statement.

“The incident resulted in the death of one EULEX staff member,” it said. “EULEX condemns in the strongest terms possible this act of cowardly violence against its staff members.”

The statement did not disclose the name or nationality of the victim.

“We will do everything possible to bring perpetrators of this cowardly act to justice,” said EULEX spokeman Blerim Krasniqi.

The EU mission has been overseeing the implementation of the rule of law in Kosovo, former Serbian province which declared independence in 2008, but which remains tense because Serbia and Kosovo Serbs do not recognize the split.

In Mitrovica, local hospital chief Milan Ivanovic said the victim was shot in the chest and leg, and was dead on arrival.

Kosovo’s President Atifete Jahjaga blamed the attack on “forces that want to destabilize Kosovo.” l

Eight held in Pakistan over ‘trial by fire’ ritual n AFP, Multan Pakistani police have arrested eight people after three men accused of serious crimes were made to walk over hot coals in a ‘trial by fire’ ritual to prove their innocence.

A jirga, or council of elders, in Mana Ahmadi tribal village in the central province of Punjab ordered two murder suspects and one accused of adultery to undergo the ordeal on Sunday, local police official Saeed Khan Leghari told AFP. The three men walked the length of a seven-metre strip of burning coals and were declared innocent by the council after apparently coming through unscathed.

“At least eight people have been arrested in connection with holding the jirga in which suspects were made to walk on fire to prove their innocence,” Leghari told AFP on Thursday.

Those arrested face charges of attempted murder and causing harm with fire, police said.

Local administration official Shafiullah Gondal confirmed the arrests.

Trial by fire, based on the premise that god will intervene to protect the innocent, has a history dating back thousands of years and across different cultures, though in Europe it was banned by the Church in the middle ages. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

‘Letter diplomacy’ sees thaw in Iran-United States relations n AP, Washington Iranian President Hasan Rouhani says that his country has never sought and will never seek a nuclear bomb, telling NBC News in an interview that he has full authority to resolve a standoff with the West.

Rouhani spoke Wednesday to the American television network in Tehran just days before he is to make his first appearance as president on the world stage when he attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York. US officials will be watching next week’s visit closely for signs that Rouhani will warm relations with the West and take a more moderate line in the next negotiations on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

“We have never pursued or sought a nuclear bomb and we are not going to do so,” Rouhani said, according to an NBC translation of the interview. “We have time and again said that under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever.”

It was a claim Iran has made before, that its nuclear activities are purely peaceful. However, the US and its allies suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a feat some experts say the country might be able to accomplish as early as next year.

Rouhani also addressed a question that many in the US have been asking: Does he really have the power to make major decisions and concessions on the nuclear issue?

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known to control all important matters of state, including nuclear.

“In its nuclear program, this gov-

Iranian President Hasan Rouhani ernment enters with full power and has complete authority,” Rouhani said.

“We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem.”

Rouhani is considered a relative moderate in Iran’s hard-line clerical regime. He campaigned on a promise to seek relief from punishing US and Western sanctions that have slashed Iran’s vital oil exports by more than half in the past two years, sent inflation soaring and severely undercut the value of its currency.

Turning to the Syria, Rouhani addressed US allegations that the Iranian-allied regime was behind a chemical weapons attack near Damascus last month. He said his country seeks peace and stability and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in the entire region.

Asked whether President Barack Obama had looked weak by backing off a military strike on the Syrian regime,

AP

Rouhani responded: “We consider war a weakness. Any government that decides on war, we consider a weakness.

And any government that decides on peace, we look on it with respect for peace.”

Rouhani also said he received a ‘positive and constructive’ letter from Obama congratulating him on his election in June. ‘From my point of view, the tone of the letter was positive and constructive,’ Rouhani said.

It could be subtle and tiny steps for a very important future Rouhani also said he received a “positive and constructive” letter from Obama congratulating him on his election in June. In it, he said Obama

raised some issues the US president was concerned about and that he had responded to the points Obama raised.

“From my point of view, the tone of the letter was positive and constructive,” Rouhani said. “It could be subtle and tiny steps for a very important future.”

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday there were no current plans for Obama to meet Rouhani at the U.N. General Assembly.

“I think it’s fair to say that the president believes there is an opportunity for diplomacy when it comes to the issues that have presented challenges to the United States and our allies with regards to Iran,” he said. “And we hope that the Iranian government takes advantage of this opportunity.”

Carney said the US will test Rouhani’s assertions that he wants to improve relations with the international community.

He also noted that Obama had confirmed the exchange of letters with Rouhani. In his letter, Obama indicated that the US was ready to resolve the nuclear issue in a way that would allow Iran to demonstrate that its program was exclusively for peaceful purposes, Carney said.

“The letter also conveyed the need to act with a sense of urgency to address this issue because as we have long said, the window of opportunity for resolving this diplomatically is open, but it will not remain open indefinitely,” Carney said.

NBC said more details and excerpts from the interview will be published and aired later Wednesday and Thursday morning. l

Bomb hits bus in central Syrian province, kills 19 n AP, Damascus A roadside bomb struck a bus in Syria’s central province on Thursday, killing 19 people, a local government official said.

The explosion in the village of Jbourin also wounded four people on the bus, according to the official from the governor’s office in Homs province who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The village is predominantly Alawite, an offshoot of Shiite Islam and a minority sect to which President Bashar Assad belongs, but it also has Christians and Sunni Muslims.

It was not immediately clear why the bus was targeted but Syria’s civil war, which has left more than 100,000 dead since the crisis erupted in March 2011, has taken increasingly sectarian overtones. Most of the rebels trying to overthrow Assad belong to the majority Sunni sect.

Elsewhere in Syria, al-Qaeda-linked gunmen captured a town near the Turkish border after heavy clashes

n Reuters, Ankara, Turkey Turkey has closed one of its border gates to Syria after an al Qaeda-affiliated rebel group clashed with units of the Arab- and Western-backed Free Syrian Army in the Syrian town of Azaz near the Turkish frontier, a Turkish official said on Thursday.

“The Oncupinar border gate has been closed for security reasons as

n AFP, Mumbai

Indian minister rescues 6 from sinking car n Tribune Desk A 61-year-old minister from Karnataka, India, turned into a hero when he jumped into a lake along with his guards to save six people, who were trapped in a sinking car on Tuesday morning.

Times of India reports, a white Maruti Swift overtook the vehicle of Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar while he was on his way to Bangalore around 7am.

About 15 minutes later, the minister saw the same car sinking while it was crossing Beguvalli lake.

Sources said Kimmane, along with his gunman Halswamy, driver Chandrashekar and escort vehicle driver Krishnamurthy jumped into the lake to rescue the people trapped inside the car. l

Former Afghan MP defects to Taliban n AFP, Kabul A former Afghan lawmaker and district governor said Thursday he had defected to the Taliban as the Islamist hardliners seek to strengthen their influence before US-led combat troops withdraw next year.

Government officials confirmed that Qazi Abdul Hai had joined the rebels, but dismissed him as a low-level figure whose actions would have little impact.

“I am sure the Americans will be forced out soon and the Islamic Emirate will rule Afghanistan,” Hai said, using the formal name of the Taliban, in a video released on the group’s website.

Hai was a senator in the upper house of parliament for the northern province of Sar-e Pol between 200408 and also served as a district governor.

“He defected to the Taliban after a trip to Pakistan some four months back,” Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, deputy speaker of the upper house, told AFP. l

An Indian student displays "NO RAPE" message painted on her hands during a demonstration to demand death sentence for four men convicted of rape and murder of a student on a moving bus in New Delhi AP India as saying “rape is not the end of life” and that she wanted to return to work. Her family released a statement saying they were hopeful of the “severest of punishments” for those responsible.

The next hearing for the case, in which officials have promised swift justice, was announced for Monday.

An independent Scotland? n AFP, Edinburgh Voting for Scottish independence is “common sense,” the leader of the movement to break away from the United Kingdom insisted a year to the day before Scotland votes in a referendum. First Minister Alex Salmond told the Scottish parliament that independence offered the best route to a more prosperous country – but a new opinion poll showed he is currently losing the argument, with the “No” camp holding a commanding 52% to 32% lead.

The leader of the opposition Labour party in Scotland, Johann Lamont, complained that the “Yes” campaign was obsessing Salmond’s government to the detriment of developing policies to address issues such as an ageing population. “If you look at people in Scotland and people in England, I don’t believe they’re that different.

I don’t believe that somehow you cross the border into England and suddenly people believe in unfairness and inequality,” the Labour politician said.

Darling said he was convinced that when they cast their ballot on September 18, 2014, Scots would bear in mind the advantages of

belonging to the rest of the United Kingdom.

“We’re part of one of the oldest social, political and economic unions in the world – why break that up? “There’s the opportunities that come from being part of a larger United Kingdom, there’s the jobs that depend on trade with the UK, there’s the influence that we have in bodies like the European Union and the United Nations, and there’s the cultural ties.”

Darling claimed that the SNP’s economic model would leave an independent Scotland “very dependent” on North Sea oil revenues.

“So if oil prices fall, or – as will happen one day – the oil reserves run out, you leave yourself terribly exposed.” As the debate raged inside the Holyrood parliament building, Liz Jones, a retired tobacco sales representative visiting an exhibition outside, said she would vote against independence for “practical, economic and emotional” reasons. Nevertheless, Elaine, a physiotherapist, said she would be ticking the “Yes” box.

“We’ve got a lot to give – I think history shows that we’re a very entrepreneurial race.

And I think we have very different values from England – I like the idea that an independent Scotland could be more equal.” l

The attack sparked outrage in the financial hub Mumbai, which has long been thought of as safer for women than the capital New Delhi, where the fatal gang-rape of a young student in December shook the nation.

The 23-year-old victim died of grievous internal injuries on December 29 after being lured on to a private bus by

with a rebel group that held the area, an activist group said Thursday.

It was the latest development in what has been a relatively new component in the conflict — stepped-up infighting between extremists with ties to al-Qaeda and Western-backed opposition groups.

The US and its European and Gulf allies are increasingly concerned about the rising prominence of Islamists among the rebels, who have been playing a major role in the battles against Assad’s forces.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that monitors the violence, said members of the al-Qaeda offshoot known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant stormed the town of Azaz in the northern Aleppo province on Wednesday evening, forcing the opposition fighters from the Western backed bloc to pull out.

There has also been infighting among rebel groups in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, which borders Iraq. l

Turkey shuts border gate after clashes in Syrian frontier town

5 charged over Mumbai photographer’s gang-rape Mumbai police formally charged five male suspects in court Thursday over the gang-rape of a young photographer in the city last month, a case that reignited anger about women’s safety in India.

Four adult accused, arrested within days of the attack, appeared at the Esplanade Court in Mumbai, barefooted and looking dishevelled. One wore a T-shirt and jeans while the rest were in shirts and trousers.

They were charged with at least five offences including gang-rape, unnatural sex, illegal confinement, destruction of evidence, and conspiracy over the attack on August 22.

Charges were also filed in a juvenile court against a fifth suspect, who was under 18 at the time of the offence, Mumbai police spokesman Satyanarayan Choudhary told AFP. The 22-year-old photographer was repeatedly raped while she was on assignment taking photos in an abandoned mill compound in central Mumbai.

A male colleague accompanying her was also beaten and tied up with a belt while she was assaulted and threatened with a broken beer bottle, police say.

After the attack, the victim reported the case at a local police station and was admitted to hospital with external and internal injuries. She was discharged within a week.

She was quoted by The Times of

9

Friday, September 20, 2013

a gang of six following a cinema trip with her male companion, who was also beaten up.

Last week, a court convicted four adult suspects in the Delhi case and sentenced them to death, which the judge said was justified to deter other would-be rapists from attacking women. l

there is still confusion about what is happening on the Syrian side. All humanitarian assistance that normally goes through the gate has ceased,” the official told Reuters.

While Turkey says it normally operates an open door policy, allowing Syrian refugees to cross freely into its territory, from time to time it temporarily closes its border crossings following clashes near its frontier. l

Sri Lankan editor flees after death threats n AP, Colombo A Sri Lankan newspaper editor has fled the country following death threats and an attack in her home in which her family was held at knifepoint, a media rights group said Thursday.

Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, co-editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, fled Tuesday to a “North American country” with her journalist husband and their 12-year-old daughter, the Free Media Movement said.

More than 80 journalists have fled Sri Lanka since 2005. The government has been accused of failing to properly investigate a series of attacks on journalists who were viewed as critical of the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“No killing, abduction, assault or arson has been investigated and no perpetrator has been brought to justice,” said Sunil Jayasekara, the Free Media Movement’s convener.

Mandana is the “latest victim of the continuing war against journalists in Sri Lanka,” he said.

On August 24, five men held Mandana and her family at knifepoint and searched their Colombo home for several hours before police intervened.

One intruder was fatally shot by police and the four others are in custody.

Jayasekara said some of Mandana’s articles had angered the authorities. l

NATO to investigate drone strike Nintendo video after Afghans say civilians died game boss dead n Reuters, Kabul Afghanistan’s NATO force has launched an investigation into an attack by a drone aircraft on an al-Qaeda member which a senior Afghan official said killed eight women and children.

Civilian casualties have been a long-running source of friction between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his international backers. Karzai has forbidden Afghan troops from calling for foreign air strikes, though the ban is not always adhered to.

The attack took place on September 7 in the eastern province of Kunar. NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) initially said “10 enemy forces” had been killed and it had no reports of any civilian casualties.

“When allegations arose of civilian fatalities as a result of this mission, ISAF initiated an investigation,” said a force spokeswoman, Colonel Jane Crichton.

“The air strike targeted insurgents riding in a truck. There were no signs of

civilians in the vicinity,” Crichton said.

However, Karzai had strongly condemned the attack from the outset.

He called it an attack on women and children which was “against all internationally agreed principles.”

Afghan security officials in Kunar said NATO special operations forces had launched the drone to attack an al-Qaeda operative.

“Four women, four children, two drivers, a merchant and three suspected (insurgents) were killed,” Kunar governor Shuja ul-Mulkh Jalala told Reuters.

A four year-old girl was seriously wounded, Jalala said.

Civilian casualties have been on the rise in the Afghan war, adding to concern about security as Western forces prepare to leave by the end of next year.

Karzai has been supported by the United States and its allies since he was installed as leader shortly after the Taliban were ousted in 2001. However, his relationship with his allies can be fraught. l

n Reuters, Tokyo

Former Nintendo Co Ltd President Hiroshi Yamauchi, who built the company into a video game giant from a maker of playing cards during more than half a century at the helm, died on Thursday of pneumonia, the company said. He was 85.

Yamauchi was the third-generation head of the family-run business, founded in the ancient Japanese capital ofKyoto in 1889 as a maker of playing cards, and served as president from 1949 until 2002. He was an executive adviser to the company at the time of his death.

Under his leadership, the company developed the Famicom home game console and the Game Boy handheld player that helped to usher in the era of home game machines, which in more recent years has been dominated by Nintendo’s Wii, Sony Corp’s PlayStation, Microsoft Corp’s Xbox.

Yamauchi was listed by Forbes magazine as Japan’s richest man just five years ago. l

10 DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, September 20, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Garment sector’s window of opportunity

Joy reiterates call for vote to AL September 15

A

new survey by McKinsey, the global consulting firm, ranks Bangladesh as the country with the highest potential for growth in garment exports in the next five years.

Bangladesh ranks No1 ahead of Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar as having the greatest potential to grow exports, as production moves away from China, due to having a larger number of factories and lower minimum wages.

China exports over $150 billion of garments each year, which is many times more than the $20 The challenge now billion exported from Bangladesh is for the BGMEA to and Italy which are the next lead its members into highest ranking exporters. The addressing safety potential for growth is therefore and labour condition very large. concerns McKinsey’s poll of major retailers conducted after July in the wake of the Rana Plaza disaster confirms that, despite major issues to do with safety and labour conditions, Bangladesh’s combination of high production capacity and low price still makes it the top choice for relocation of garment manufacture from China.

Although some brands have been relocating away from the country, the commitments made in separate safety initiatives and multi-stakeholder accords by European and North American retailers demonstrate continuing interest in sourcing from Bangladesh.

The challenge now is for the BGMEA to lead its members into addressing safety and labour condition concerns, while also bearing in mind that in the longer term competitive advantage will not come from low wage rates alone. As well as improving compliance, the industry needs to modernise and be able to compete with other countries such as Myanmar, in order to be able to grow exports and jobs.

You are doing okay! But you have to do better. Just take some time out and contemplate, in what ways your mom is different from your grandpa (Bongobondhu). You will notice a lot of dissimilarities. But you are a man; you ought to follow the examples of your grandpa.

I can just give you a tip because I belong to your grandpa’s era. He could feel the pulse of the people and figure out what exactly the public wanted. And he would give it to them, even if that meant personal sacrifice or stepping back on his personal views. Godspeed, Joy! WaliulHaqueKhondker

Stop piracy to protect music industry, urge musicians September 15 Sadly the record industry executives have taken so long, just like the legislation, to fix a problem that was there but not believed in the beginning of the new techno age of what I call the “social media record business.” Now it’s a big problem in need of being hurriedly fixed up before the millions that are being made are nowhere to be found. A bad sound in the ears of all artists, songwriters, publishers. All who have a livelihood stake in the matters of the musical heart.

Nu_Wri456 Bangladesh is a different market, a completely different ecosystem. This is the high time. It’s not only about buying an album, but it’s about how we treat our favorite artists. It’s all about how this industry could survive in this digital age, and flourish with time. We all need to work together, the musicians, the bands, the levels, the policymakers and people with dreams, Asif2BD

Be Heard

A wrong consensus can serve no good

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oth AL and BNP members of a parliamentary standing committee agreed this week with the view that the term Adivasi (indigenous people) should not be used to describe the native peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The committee further endorsed an opinion that the use of Adivasi was a “conspiracy against the national interest.”

It is unfortunate that taking an unnecessarily insensitive stance on this issue of terminology should be the only matter Of far more on which the leading parties can importance to the agree, during this time of politinational interest cal deadlock.

That they should also point would be for the to an ill-founded conspiracy parties to reach theory adds insult to injury and consensus to ensure does nothing to raise the level of the timely holding of political debate. Both political fair and free elections parties have been in power since to take the country the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) forward Accord was signed in 1997. Both bear responsibility for failing to adequately implement the agreement’s intentions. Full implementation of the accord is the only way forward to ensure peace for the different peoples living in CHT and this is where the parties should have focused their discussions.

The committee’s deliberations this week do nothing to advance the interests of the people of the region or the country.

This rare consensus amounts to nothing more than posturing and pandering to the gallery.

Of far more importance to the national interest would be for the parties to reach consensus to ensure the timely holding of fair and free elections to take the country forward.

CROSSWORD

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DOWN 1 Waste (5) 2 Sky-coloured (5) 3 Joints (5) 4 Honey drink (4) 5 S American ostrich (4) 7 Company of lions (5) 10 Power of rejecting (4) 13 Wicked (4) 14 Bend the knees (5) 15 Light beer (5) 16 Musical note (5) 17 Cosy retreats (5) 18 Atlas contents (4) 19 Digits (4)

US, Russia agree on Syrian weapons deal

September 13

It’s unparalleled. There are other instances in the past where countries have agreed to eliminate its chemical weapons stockpiles through UNSC mandates, an example being Iraq in 1991 following the first Gulf War. There’s another situation in 2003, 2004, when Libya renounced its WMD stockpile and inspectors moved in.

But neither of these was during wartime or under the threat of further military actions. So this is unprecedented in a number of ways.

If there’s one person sitting at the negotiating table who has seen a similar scenario play out before, it’s Lavrov, who, during negotiations around UNSC Resolution 1441, which in 2002 demanded that Iraq yield up any weapons of mass destruction. Lavrov is renowned as a very tough negotiator and literally has been through exactly this exercise with 1441. The successful removal or destruction of Syria’s entire chemical weapons stockpile would be a major landmark, if all does go according to plan. Getting rid of the third-largest stockpile in the world would be an amazing achievement. sirajul_islam_1

Nazmul Khair Exactly, he has nothing to do. Without work he can’t get food. Meanwhile, we can only see the photo and write comments.

September 15

Hasina Rahman Oh, poor thing! What else he can do?

MTV’s programmes to air on Maasranga September 13

As a growing outcry against Hindi channels grows in our country, Masranga Channel is all set to introduce MTV to its lineup. In a few days, the other channels will also start to follow suit. 10 years from now, we will barely see any such Bangladeshi programmes. Everything will become “for sale.”

Niloy Das

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Learn to take no for an answer September 15

Real Madrid hold at Villarreal, Barcelona win over Sevilla September 15

La Liga is fixed.

Fernando Candido

Our society needs to treat women as human beings. Society also needs to stop treating sons and daughters differently at home. Women have to come forward as mothers and hammer it down on their children that their gender does not make them “special.”

SS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Glittering particle (5) 4 Spoil (3) 6 Back of the neck (4) 8 Accustom (5) 9 Utter wildly (4) 11 Notion (4) 12 Vegetables (5) 15 Fruit (5) 18 Small child (4) 20 Drug-yielding plant (4) 21 Instruments of summons (5) 22 Otherwise (4) 23 Distress signal (3) 24 Plays in lively manner (5)

Babul helps his mom with tannery work

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

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Asking the wrong question

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n Zafar Sobhan verywhere I go, the burning question that is on everyone’s lips is: Will there be an election? The corollary question is always: How do we get to free and fair elections, participated in by all the parties?

The unspoken assumption is that elections are the be-all and end-all of our democratic aspirations, and that if we are able to hold elections that everything will then turn out fine.

The sad fact of the matter is that elections will do nothing to resolve the problems that the country is facing, and that obsessing on how we get there is to ask the wrong question. The right question to ask is: What will happen after an election?

We are thus now being treated to a never-ending cycle of round-table discussions and seminars and meetings and closed-door consultations, to say nothing of articles, essays, papers, and op-eds, in which the great and the good put their eminent heads together to try to cobble together some formula that will be acceptable to all relevant sides.

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How do we convince the AL to reinstate the caretaker government? How do we convince the BNP to take part in elections under the current government? What kind of compromise solution might be acceptable to both sides? What does the constitution say?

I’m sorry to have to play the spoiler here, but the sad fact of the matter is that, as things stand right now, elections will do nothing to resolve the problems that the country is facing, and that obsessing on how we get there is to ask the wrong question.

The right question (and one that we are not spending nearly enough time thinking about) to ask is: What will happen after an election?

Let us leave aside the obstacles to a free and fair election for the time being, and focus for a moment on a best-case scenario post-elections.

There can only be three possible outcomes: either the AL retains power, the BNP comes to power, or there is a hung parliament.

Within these three broad outlines there may be a number of sub-combinations and permutations, but, as things stand today, these three outcomes represent the sum total of all possibilities post-election.

What happens if the AL retains power? If the AL retains power, then they will certainly finish the job that they have started. The war crimes trials will be brought to a conclusion,

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and the guilty will be hanged. The five-year campaign to crush the BNP will be renewed. The BNP and its allies, most notably the Jamaat, are hardly likely to meekly sit still and take it. I fear that a second AL term could set off a serious cycle of violence and counter-violence.

Of course, if the BNP comes to power, they will do the same thing in reverse. We have already seen in 2001 what the party is capable of in the first flush of electoral victory, and after the indignities it has suffered over the past 7 years, do not expect it to be magnanimous. What a resurgent Jamaat might do, can only be imagined.

And a hung parliament will differ from the above two scenarios only in that neither side will have the upper hand. But the violence we can expect as they duke it out on the streets to see who wants it more will be no less.

The bottom line is without some kind of credible post-election non-aggression pact on the part of the major political players, then elections solve nothing. What we have seen over their past two terms in office is the breaking down of the compact of co-existence between the two sides. Neither side can co-exist with the other any more, and neither side evens bothers to pretend any more, either.

All well-meaning efforts to bring the two sides to the table when it comes to creating an acceptable playing field for the elections are, I fear, wildly optimistic and unrealistic, given the mind-set and imperatives of the parties’ respective leaderships.

But, more to the point, they are moot.

It is critical that we focus on the right question. It is only when we acknowledge and accept that the post-election scenario is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and that pretending that everything will magically sort itself out in the wake of a good election (however we choose to define one) is seriously short-sighted, that we can focus on a possible solution.

And don’t let anyone tell you that there is no solution. There are always solutions, and in this case, there are solutions that would do no violence either to the constitution or to our democracy, and that would protect the rights and interests of all parties concerned, including, crucially, those of the Bangladeshi people.

But in order to get to a workable solution, we need to acknowledge the fact that pushing through elections without paying attention to what happens in their aftermath will solve nothing.

To get the right answer, we need to ask the right question. l Zafar Sobhan is the editor, Dhaka Tribune.

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What to make of Modi n Awrup Sanyal

N

arendra Modi’s nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate in India’s next general elections, while alarming to staunch secularists, is probably a relief to more Indians than most of us would like to acknowledge.

His particular brand of nationalistic chauvinism echoes with such resonance (with the successes of campaigns like Mera Bharat Mahan) that today in India, the schismatic BJP can contemplate Modi as its next PM candidate with open support from the likes of Harvard educated individuals like Subramanian Swamy.

The BJP is not wet behind their ears; they have enough intuition to know that Modi–his brand of divisive and communal politics (packaged with neo-liberal capitalism) promising a bright, shiny and mighty Bharat–might actually bring them the harvest of votes they are looking for, not less helped by the scandal-ridden incumbent government. His proposed mammoth monument of Vallabhbhai Patel is a prime example of the neo-fascist totem-ism his appeal relies on.

A large section of Indian society is tired of coalition governments that can’t find real consensus on issues, for example, on decisions to “privatise” fast enough or “teach Pakistan a lesson,” and the BJP appears to them to be just the answer. Given the climate, the rhetorical/ideological positions of the extreme right, even within the BJP, and the Rastriya Swayamseva Sangh, should also be recognised as election posturing.

Since the Left is seen as anti-development, and the others are peddling softHindutva, BJP with Modi seems to have a clear-cut agenda: ‘development and nationalistic jingoism’

The problem with India today is that no political party, on either side of the centre, have any differentiated issues they stand for. This absence of posturing thus helps Modi, and BJP to create a distinctive image for themselves in the minds of the people.

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The fence, the cattle, and the killing n Ekram Kabir

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angladeshis, who have seen the life of the people along the Bangladesh-India border, opine that the 4,096.7-kilometre stretch is one of the strangest areas in the world. Bangladeshis and Indians bizarrely cohabit along the border. They also move around, farm each-other’s land, get married across the border, and smuggle drugs and cattle through the fence.

This border is one of the most heavily populated and impoverished areas in the world. It is overlapped by fifty-four rivers. Crossborder activities include fuel, wheat, sugar and rice from India to Bangladesh, illegal migration from Bangladesh to India, and human trafficking on both sides.

These have been continuing for a long time.

Bangladesh gets almost all its beef from India and India doesn’t know what to do with it other than sending it to Bangladesh, but still, the cattle flow is a problem between these two neighbours

For Bangladesh and India, the border has created quite a lot of problems between the two countries. One of the most visibly talked-about issues between Dhaka and New Delhi has been the killing of Bangladeshi people along the border.

The people who get killed the most there are cattle smugglers. India does not export cattle officially, but they come through this border.

An Indian newspaper reported, citing BSF (Indian Border Security Force) sources, that cattle smuggling across this border has become an industry with an annual turnover of Rs50bn. In the period till August last year, 79,018 heads of cattle were seized by the BSF. But officials in India have admitted that the numbers seized are only the tip of the iceberg.

On the other hand, in Bangladesh, every time a cattle smuggler is killed along the border, Bangladesh media terms the dead person as “cattle trader.” It is interesting to note that there’s no “cattle trade agreement” between Dhaka and Delhi; those who provide the cattle to Bangladesh and those to receive them in Bangladesh are “smugglers.”

This is a pretty uncomfortable situation, as Bangladesh gets almost all its beef from India and India doesn’t know what to do with it other than sending it to Bangladesh, but still, the cattle flow is a problem between these two neighbours.

Now, how does the cattle get here?

Pretty simple: The Indian smugglers hand them over to their Bangladeshi counterparts. Both BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) and BSF know it, as the cattle come here, reportedly, with their help and presence. Most of the times, the cows are brought through where the border is unfenced and sometimes by rupturing the fence.

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Friday, September 20, 2013

L

A multiplicity of issues face a halfbaked, in-between country which has seen a sliver of enlightenment, but mostly remains in ignorant darkness, sleeping together permanently and making not very strange bedfellows after all. Although it is patted on the back by the world for a vibrant democracy, but is basically run by entitled feudal lords, uneducated criminals, and merciless capitalists.

No political party, on either side of the centre, have any differentiated issues they stand for. This absence of posturing thus helps Modi, and BJP to create a distinctive image for themselves in the minds of the people

Christened as one of the fastest growing economies as borne out by the “Bricks” of lavish superstructure being laid haphazardly, complemented by glossy advertising, and shiny “supermalldom” – the signposts of the so-called new rising India, promising material nirvana, but is hamstrung by an inadequate and decrepit infrastructure, a corrupt and an inefficient administration and a dismally poor record in human rights and governance.

From the smartly turned out corporate yuppiedom minority to the struggling, uneducated languishing majority, riven by dated customs, laced by poisonous inequality, and abject mental health issues – to touch upon a few stumbling blocks, that none of the 13 million gods, or the one supreme, have an answer for – the powers-that-be don’t even question it.

So, they play the age-old game of schismatic politics. Since the Left is seen as anti-development, and the others are peddling soft-Hindutva (manifest as appeasement politics), BJP with Modi seems to have a clearcut agenda: “development and nationalistic jingoism.”

The latter once belonged to the Indian National Congress, and resonates with the majority, but it seems the BJP is successfully redefining it to suit the yearnings of a new sort of nation, imbued with the bigotry of an old sort of arrogance. l Awrup Sanyal is a fiction writer and a communications consultant.

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By shooting, the soldier tries to make the government understand that he was ‘alert’ when the ‘criminals’ were cutting through the fence.

He does this simply to save his job; if he doesn’t shoot, it would imply that he didn’t do anything to secure the fence

Having said that, we mustn’t miss the fact that this fence, as we understand, is extremely important to India.

It’s quite interesting that with an economic status as India (a developing country), Delhi has very sincerely built the fence and is maintaining it with utmost care. This enclosure is huge and requires a lot of money to be maintained.

India had begun building it in 2006, apparently, to prevent all sorts of illegal activities to and from Bangladesh.

It’s worthwhile to note that India hasn’t fenced its borders with Nepal, China, Bhutan and Myanmar, and that means it doesn’t feel the threats from those countries as it feels from Bangladesh.

The fence, an end-to-end border mark around Bangladesh, a 2.5-metre-high, concertina razorwire-cum-barbwire, partly spotlit, partly electrified barrier was scheduled to be completed in 2012 at a cost of $1.2bn, twice the original estimate. The BSF presently patrol

the fence, and they try curbing the reported infiltration from Bangladesh, movement of militants, and enhance management on the border.

The fence is also meant for preventing smuggling of cattle, drugs and illegal weapons.

Now, the border guards may overlook many crimes, but when a BSF soldier spots the fence being severed by the smugglers, he has no other option to shoot at the person. By shooting at the person, the soldier tries to make the government understand that he was “alert” when the “criminals” were cutting through the fence. He does this simply to save his job; if he doesn’t shoot, according to military norms, it would imply that he didn’t do anything to secure the fence. In the

process, he also kills people from both sides, but since Bangladeshi smugglers act at the receiving end, as they mostly penetrate through the fence and, consequently, get killed.

These are, to my mind, the reasons for so many Bangladeshis (and Indians) to be killed along the border, but this sequence of events hasn’t been discussed at the commanders level talks (that end in passing the bucks on the politicians) between these two countries.

It’s time they did and came to a consensus. l Ekram Kabir is the executive editor of Natunbarta.com. He has a published book titled “Border fencing: A major irritant in Indo-Bangla relations.”

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Friday, September 20, 2013

I don’t do portraits, I do paintings Shahabuddin Ahmed’s solo exhibition ‘Joddha’ opens today mostly available in the noon, which is why I could not have my lunch properly for a long time. That resulted in in an ulcer. Again I had to struggle to find a gallery which would accept my works to exhibit. Finally I got a prestigious gallery to showcase my paintings just for one day, and that caught people’s attention. It was the turning point of my career.

How do you define your style of work?

I don’t believe in too much accuracy in the use of brush stroke and colour. I don’t like too much freedom either.

That is why I don’t do abstract paintings. My works have a motion which I have obtained with long-time experience and contemplation.

When you paint, do you have an image in mind or you go with the flow of the brush?

It’s fifty-fifty, I would rather say. Sometimes I have a very rough image in mind. When I start to paint, things get added naturally which change the preconceived mind. But I always keep in mind that each and everything has a goal and meaning in life. Like in football, it would be worthless if you only run; you have to keep hold of the ball too.

Shahabuddin Ahmed

LATIF HOSSAIN

n Yusuf Banna Shahabuddin Ahmed is one of the few Bangladeshis who represent the pride of our nation to the whole world. The celebrated artist is considered among the masters of contemporary art in the international arena.

Having spent a long time in Paris, the freedom fighter has been relentlessly portraying the legacy of the Liberation War through bold strokes, vibrant colours and strong figurative expressions in his paintings.

The esteemed artist’s solo exhibition “Joddha” arranged by Gallery 21 is starting today at 6pm. The exhibition will showcase his 30 new works. About the exhibition, Ahmed said: “The canvases are large in dimension. Apart from using white colour with different aspects and notions, I have used red and green, the colours of our national flag, in my recent works. The paintings feature human figures painted with a controlled use of brush and colours.”

In an intimate conversation with the Dhaka Tribune

the artist talked about his thoughts, inspiration and recalled memories of bygone days.

How is the 1971 still an influence in your art?

I am an emotional painter. The war is a source of pride and joy for me while I also consider it as memories of nightmare. But such a war doesn’t happen twice in a lifetime. There are not many who actively participated in the war and can share the pride. I am one of the luckiest soldiers who remained alive after independence.

The legacy is always with me and in my paintings. It is always reflected.

What was your first break in your career?

After completing graduation at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, I went to Paris. I had to adapt a lot of things culturally, physically, financially and more, as it was a completely new world to me. I had a long struggle before my career started. For month after month I worked mostly in a rented studio which was

In this new era of technology and consumerism, how do you incorporate human emotion in your work?

I always work with the intention of creating art that will move or influence people with a universal appeal.

I paint figures of people like Gandhi, Rabindranath and Bangabandhu who worked for humanity. Besides, I believe in spontaneity. My background helps me to uphold love and devotion, which always leaves a mark in my works.

Live Square presents Rocknation 2 today n Entertainment Desk The Rocknation 2 concert is taking place at the Winter Garden, Ruposhi Bangla today at 4pm. The show is a delight for music lovers since renowned bands of the country like Warfaze, Nemesis, Arbovirus, Lalon, Chirkutt, Indalo, Powersurge and Crypticfate will rock the audience.

With the success of Rocknation 1, Live Square is aiming for perfection

Gauri Guha performs at IGCC today

Internationally, Bangladesh is being considered as a happening ground in fine art. How do you evaluate it?

n Entertainment Desk

Because I love myself. At this point I want to clarify, I don’t do portraits. I do paintings. Portraits are easy but it takes a lot to convert it into a painting.

I appreciate the international art platforms have been recognising Bangladeshi artists and its rich heritage in fine art. In this case I would say things should have happened a lot earlier than now. l

ON TV

n Afrose Jahan Chaity

MOVIE 5:10pmFox Movies Premium Shanghai Noon

9:30 pm Star Movies Land of the Lost

COMEDY 4:00pm Colors

Mrs Pammi Pyarelal

9:00pm Comedy Central Prank Bank

Well acclaimed Indian singer Gauri Guha will perform at IGCC Gulshan today at 6:30pm, entry to the show is open for all and requires no ticket. The programme is arranged by Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in association with the State Bank of India in Bangladesh and Channel i as media partner.

Gauri Guha is an established and highly acclaimed professional Hindustani classical vocal music exponent of India who is currently settled in Canada.

For the last 35 years, Guha has performed internationally in many prestigious concerts and had been interviewed on TV, Radio and by various newspapers in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Canada, the USA, Europe and the Caribbean Islands. She has eight musical albums to her credit.

She received a first class in Indian classical music and the degree of Sangeet Visharad from the Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith at Lucknow in In-

4:00pm Zee Tv

Mahiya Mahi in Agni

Pavitra Rishta different proportions in each and every role I play.”

Mahi remained one of the top actors in the last Eid season. She was paired with Dhallywood heartthrob Shakib Khan in her recent film “Bhalobasha Ajkal.” The film was a huge success and Mahi’s role in the movie received appreciation from the audience. l

Biyeta Amar Khub Dorkar airs on NTV tonight n Entertainment Desk Single-episode play “Biyeta Amar Khub Dorkar” will air at 2:35pm today on NTV. Written and directed by Shagor Jahan, the drama features popular actors Zahid Hasan, Nipun, Sharmila Ahmed, Mithila Ibrar, Riton, Shobuj, Shongita, Rimu and others.

The story revolves around a man named Zulfikar who lives with his mother. Zulfikar’s sister lives in

Nipun and Zahid Hasan star in Biyeta Amar Khub Dorkar

America. Another character is Ratan, the caretaker of Zulfikar’s house. He has been with Zulfikar’s family for a long time and is considered a member of the family.

Zulfikar has already passed the prime age for marriage and is a simple man, not too intelligent compared to most. His old mother worries about his marriage. The story moves forward with the twists and turn in Zulfikar’s simple life. l

7:30pm Colors

Mrs Pammi Pyarelal

MIX 3:30pm Fox Traveller

From Spain, With Love

9:00pm MTV

Exhibition Bangla Terracotta 3pm to 8pm Drik Gallery House 58, Road 15A(New) Dhanmondi R/A

Food Festival Seasonal Tastes restaurant The Westin Dhaka Main Gulshan Avenue Plot 1, CWN (B) Road 45, Plot 1, Gulshan 2

Festival North & South Indian

Concert For the Sensitive Kind

Roots

Hrithik faces one misfortune after another n Entertainment Desk After living a fairytale for more than a decade, buzz has it that Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan is on the verge of calling it quits owing to matrimony issues.

Hrithik’s “interests out of the home” have not gone down well with Suzanne. Their differences have grown to such an extent that the couple does not bother about each other now. Earlier it was also reported that Suzanne had moved out of Hrithik’s house and was staying with her parents.

Suzanne hush-hush visit and subsequent disappearance from Rakesh Roshan’s birthday party a few days back, raised many eyebrows.

Also, her unusual absence from this year’s Ganesh visarjan at the Juhu beach in Mumbai was also worth noticing as she has always made her presence felt with her hubby and in-laws at the Ganpati celebrations every year.

Well, these are surely signs of things falling apart in the Roshan household.

Now that “Krrish 3” is gearing for release this year, the whole matter is being kept low key.

However, the break-up might be made official once the film hits the the-

dia in 1963 and 1965 respectively. In 1977, she had the distinction of being deployed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the Indian Cultural Centre at Guyana as a cultural officer and music trainer for three years. l

TODAY IN DHAKA

DRAMA

Mahi loves to face challenges, while working in films featuring different subjects also matters to her. “I love challenges and diversity in my characters, also films with exceptional story lines hold a great deal of appeal for me. I want to captivate my audience by presenting them with different roles all the time. I love

in presenting this show to the music lovers of the country. Tickets will be available at the venue and in order to attend the show, one has to be 18 years and up. The gate will open at 2pm, the show starts from 4pm and will continue till 11pm.

The event is arranged by Live Square LTD, powered by Qubee, presented by Element 79, supported by Sprint Lifestyle of Apex, Bellissimo and promoted

by Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM. l

It is said that a self portrait of an artist is like an autobiography. What is your notion behind creating self portraits?

Mahiya Mahi’s new action avatar Dhallywood’s new heart throb Mahiya Mahi will be seen in an action avatar for the first time, in her upcoming film “Agni.” The movie directed by Iftakar Chowdhury will hit theatres during Eid-ul-Azha.

In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Mahi said: “I have done a lot of hard work for this film. I believe my effort will receive the same response as my previous ones.” The young actor is quite optimistic and expects that her films will gain audience acclaim.

While talking about the new film, Mahi shares her experience: “I really enjoyed working in this film. My character is that of a simple girl who wants to take revenge on her parent’s killers.”

Mahiya Mahi has created much hype amongst film lovers as a newcomer.

According to Mahi, Dhallywood may get a new action heroine in terms of box office hit after the release of “Agni.”

“The action movie will feature quality and challenging stunts in fantastic locations. I hope the audience will really love this action-packed flick,” she said.

Band Lalon will perform at the concert among other bands

atres. It goes without saying that if this turns out to be true, this one is going to be a really sad news for Hrithk-Suzanne admirers.

On the other hand, after waiting almost a year for Hrithik Roshan to star in his new film, Ashutosh Gowariker could wait no more. The historical film, which is based on Mohenjodaro will now star the new kid on the block Sushant Singh Rajput.

Hrithik Roshan last starred in Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar,” and had reportedly expressed great interest in the project. In fact, he was Gowariker’s first choice too. But Hrithik’s busy schedule held him back, while Ashutosh decided it was time to move on.

Like with “Jodhaa Akbar,” this film, too, will have the love story follow a narrative format. Reportedly, a whole team of archaeologists has been roped in for research.

But since time running out, Gowariker had to make a choice, and Sushant it was. The film will also star a leading actress from the West.

Things seem to be really looking up for Sushant, who has reportedly also replaced Hrithik in Shekhar Kapur’s film “Paani.” l

by Chotu, Kaiser, Saad, Srabonti, Tushi, Ihsan, Sascha Nadeer 7:15pm Radius Centre 5th Floor, Bay’s Galleria 57 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan

Did you know?

English Premier League side Chelsea FC tasted their first Champions League group stage defeat at home in 10 years on Wednesday

Sport

Friday, September 20, 2013

14 Liverpool prime Suarez for United clash

14 Mourinho rues misfire from young guns

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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15 Haddin in, Warner out for India

Dhaka Hockey League eyes Bhashani stadium n Raihan Mahmood

Tiny-tots fight in the age level of the Japan Karate Championship at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

The organisers of the proposed Dhaka Hockey League (DHL) moved towards actualising their project by submitting an application for the allocation of the national hockey stadium to the National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday.

Shib Nath Roy, the new secretary of NSC, received the application at his office. The application said the DHL will feature the leading hockey players of the country as well as renowned foreign players. The teams will also have foreign coaches and the league would contribute toward the development of the game in the country. Hence, and for the greater good of hockey in the country, the organisers appealed to have access to the national hockey stadium from November 1 to November 20 “through adjustment with the Bangladesh Hockey Federation”. The application was signed by Shafiullah Al Munir, the initiator secretary.

The organisers, who have taken a staunch stance against the existing hockey federation executive committee, said all of the country’s leading players would be playing under their banner. Ariful Haque Prince, one of the key figures of the rebel group said that if the league would change Bangladeshi

Stop the blame game: Mamunul

Emadul turns down BCB election commissionership Defenders Waly, Mishu question trainer’s ability n Raihan Mahmood selves prepared for the next Saff Cham- game, but if I had played it could be bad n Shishir Hoque for national team because the team has pionship,” said Mamunul.

The election process of Bangladesh Cricket Board took yet another blow when Brig Gen Emadul Haque, the director general of BKSP and selected by the National Sports Council (NSC) to be the election commissioner, turned down the job on the grounds that he was already enlisted as a voter.

In a letter to the NSC, Emadul said that given his role as a voter, being appointed commissioner could heart the neutrality of the election process.

“We have accepted the letter and with his exclusion the whole election commission will have to be formed again. We have to make new decisions about forming the election commission,” said Shib Nath Roy, the secretary of National Sports Council.

The election commission contained Director Sports of National Sports Council, the returning officer and the assistant director sports of National Sports Council as the assistant retuning officer. l

Bangladesh national skipper Mamunul Islam urged everyone to stop the blame game for their disappointing display in the recently concluded Saff Championship in Nepal after facing the BFF Fact Finding Committee at the BFF House yesterday.

During their second day of investigation, the committee queried four national players - midfielder Mamunul Islam, striker Zahid Hasan Emily, defenders Waly Faisal and Atikur Rahman Meeshu. Captain Mamunul blamed luck and injury for their failure in the Saff campaign while Waly and Mishu questioned their new Dutch trainer Muhammet Yamali’s aptitude to train the national team.

“I want to request to Bangladesh Football Federation, coaches, officials and all football lovers to stop playing blame games. Bangladesh football would not improve unless we stop blaming each other. Whatever happened and whatever we lost is past now. We now have to start getting our-

“The reasons behind our failure are firstly injury problem and secondly, bad luck. The team wasn’t strong enough

to play with 10 men as I could only give my 50 percent,” he added.

However, veteran defender Waly

Bangladesh national skipper Mamunul Islam, (R) faces the BFF Fact Finding Committee at the BFF House yesterday COURTESY due to injury of key players. I played with my injured leg. I gave my best to the team. I could have played the whole

Faisal slammed trainer Yamali as the reason behind some players’ injury.

“The players who are 80% fit, the

trainer force him to give 100% during the practice session, more than the player can afford which is one of the reasons players get injured,” said Waly.

“I doubt the capability of our physical trainer. We didn’t see any variation in his training as he trained us the same thing for two months, but those were lengthy sessions. We had to train two times a day and as a result we didn’t have sufficient time to recover,” Waly continued.

The national team travelled to Nepal with few injured players in the squad.

“It’s trainer’s job to inform the coach who is fit and who is not fit. There were players who travelled Nepal carrying injury problem,” said Mishu.

However, skipper Mamunul disagreed with Waly and Mishu. “There’s nothing the fitness coach could have done. Training is different in all teams and every trainer has different training style,” said the skipper.

Meanwhile, the players praised the quality of the head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and wanted him to stay for longer time for the betterment of the team. l

hockey. “There will be six franchises with sponsors. The franchises will be coached by foreign coaches and all of them will be coming from Europe. The physios will be there too and we are planning to insert a good number of sponsors to make the event a gala one,” he said.

Prince, a former national player, was nonetheless aware of the obstacles to the league’s success, with six clubs - Mohammedan, Mariners, Ajax, Bangladesh Sporting, Wari and Wanderers – being at odds with the federation after having boycotted all officially sanctioned events.

“The first thing is to get the allotment of the stadium. Then we may talk with the federation. We are here for the hockey of the country,” said Prince.

Shib Nath Roy was practical in his thinking. “We will talk with the sports ministry, the federation before taking a decision. We have just received an application for the stadium and we have to go through all the concerned sectors before reaching a decision,” said the secretary.

The organisers have planned for contingencies and one said that they would look to hold the event on grass if they were did not receive the go-ahead from the federation for use of the national stadium. l

Chess tournament starts today n Shishir Hoque The 39th National ‘A’ Chess Championship gets underway at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association today.

Four of the country’s Grandmasters will be participating after Bangladesh Chess Federation invited them take in the tournament. Reigning champion Niaz Murshed, runner-up Ziaur Rahman, Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib and Enamul Hossain Razib have confirmed that they will play, while Reefat Bin Sattar has yet to respond to the invitation.

IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar, Fide Master Nasir Ahmed, IM Abu Sufian Shakil, FM Aminul Islam, FM Debaraj Chatterjee, FM Mohammad Javed, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag, Shafiq Ahmed and Jamal Uddin qualified for the National ‘A’ following their performance in the 39th National ‘B’ Chess Championship-2013. The event will be conducted in a round-robin league format.

The details of the event were disclosed at a press conference yesterday at the National Sports Council conference room. General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation Gazi Shayiful Tarique was present on the occasion. l

Masakadza joins KCA Sibanda looks forward to DPL challenge n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Zimbabwean national cricketer Hamilton Masakadza arrived in the capital yesterday to join Kalabagan Cricket Academy as their third foreign recruit for the ongoing Dhaka Premier League season.

The right-handed batsman, who is also an occasional medium pacer, is third Zimbabwean to join the side this season after Sikandar Raza and Vusi Sibanda.

This is the first time that I will be playing in the Dhaka league so this will be a new venture in my career “This is the first time that I will be playing in the Dhaka league so this will be a new venture in my career,” said Masakadza to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“To top I have two other Zimbabwe national cricketers in the team so I am looking forward to some good cricket in the coming days,” said Masakadza.

The high temperature and humid conditions has been trouble for most of the foreign cricketers who have joined the 12 clubs in the Dhaka league and it’s no different for Hamilton.

“Yeah I am very much worried to be honest because it is hotter than what it was in Zimbabwe. When I arrived it was evening, but still I could feel the temperature. I am hoping to get used to it quickly to deliver my best in the field,” he said.

No NOC (No Objection Certificate) for the Pakistani cricketers this season saw the premier league clubs rope in cricketers from different parts of the globe. The situation opened opportunities for many Zimbabwean cricketers to join the 39-year old tournament.

“It is very good that many of our cricketers are getting to play in the Dhaka league. We have the Twenty20 World Cup at this part of the world.

So I think it is going to be good for the team when it will be here of the ICC tournament, and at the same time the tournament seems to be on perfect time as we don’t have any cricket to play in or for Zimbabwe, so it also gave us the opportunity to come and play,” said the 30-year-old veteran Zimbabwean. l

Day's DPL Matches Victoria SC v Gazi Tank v Prime Bank v

Brothers, SBNCS Kalabagan KC, KSOAS CCS, BKSP-3

n Minhaz Uddin Khan The ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) clubs filled their quota of foreign players mostly with Asians and the reason is mainly because they are accustomed with the conditions here. However, the bar on Pakistani cricketers in the ongoing DPL and with the Indian cricket board not permitting their players it only meant the top-flight clubs running after renowned foreigners.

Zimbabwe’s recent success over Bangladesh has caught everyone’s attention and with a healthy record against the Tigers, this year’s DPL has opened the gate for Vusi Sibanda. The newly promoted side in the DPL, Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA) has roped the Zimbabwean opener for the current season.

Despite being his first time in a league in Dhaka, the 29-year-old, however, has been visiting the country since 2004 starting with the U-19 team and Vusi actually lost count of his visits he made here. About his first assignment for a Dhaka club Vusi said, “It’s never late anyway. I would have loved to be here a lot earlier than now.

“It is going to be tough. There is a lot more competition here and the league I am pretty sure is very competitive. Not just because of the players, but also because of the wicket and the condition. So it is going

to be a good challenge for me and the team and I am looking forward to take it on board,” Vusi told the Dhaka Tribune.

Kalabagan Krira Chakra (KKC) is one of the oldest clubs in the country’s cricket circuit and KCA is the academy side of the club which climbed the ranks, from third division, in the last few years before finally finishing second in the first division league last year to earn the promotion.

Led by rising batting star Marshal Ayub, KCA’s team is based on youngsters and the club officials also expressed their satisfac-

Vusi Sibanda

tion over roping in Vusi along with two other Zimbabweans - Hamilton Masakadza and Sikandar Raza.

After completing their national duty against Pakistan at home, Sibanda, accompanied by Raza, arrived in the capital Monday evening and took the field the next day for KCA’s second match.

The jetlag was evident as a tired Vusi, who made one, could hardly contribute in the match that his team lost, while he also thinks the ground and wickets should have been a lot better.

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

“The start wasn’t well for me I must say, but there cannot be any excuse. Now that I have got a little bit of break to let my body adjust to the condition here, I would like to see that I have taken the team through to the next round given that I perform to the best of my ability and score some runs. If the team goes to the next round I will be happy that I have done my job,” said Sibanda before adding, “The field could have been better if you consider the level of cricket is being played, but whatever the condition I have to make sure that I score.”

Vusi expects to return to Bangladesh again next year for the World T20, but ICC’s recent development has upset the Zimbabwean. Though yet to be officially announced, it was reported that the first stage at the World T20 will see the six qualifiers join Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in a preliminary round - the format of which is not known at this time - from which two teams will join the remaining full members in the first round proper.

“This will bring more games for the minor countries like us and Bangladesh too. It would have been fair to keep it like it was before or make it that everyone has to qualify to be a part of the tournament. In that way it would have been lot more competitive. We are also Test playing nations so everyone should have been treated the same,” he said. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, September 20, 2013

Mourinho rues misfire from young guns n AFP, London

Basel's Mohamed Salah (R) celebrates on the ground after scoring a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Wednesday

REUTERS

Jose Mourinho admitted his young Chelsea team lack the maturity to cope with difficult situations after his return to the Champions League started with a shock 2-1 defeat against FC Basel.

Mourinho’s first Champions League match as Chelsea boss for six years proved a dispiriting experience as the Swiss minnows came from behind to hand the Blues their first home loss in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition since 2003.

Just 24 hours earlier, Mourinho, whose previous spell with the club ended with the sack in 2007, had asked for patience as he builds a new-look Chelsea, claiming he needed time for his young players to grow up.

“I think this team probably is not a team with such maturity and personality to face the difficult moments in the game,” he said.

“We were pressing and trying to be creative but when the most negative moment arrives the team shakes a little bit.

“We go home sad but we have to work hard, it is the only way I know. We have to believe in each other, be critical inside to try to resolve things, but stick together and try to get a result against Fulham on Saturday to put a smile back on our faces.”

Last season, Chelsea became the first Champions League holders to fail to qualify for the last 16 in their defence of the crown, yet even that dismal European campaign, which began with a draw against Juventus, didn’t start as badly as this one. But Mourinho will surely get Chelsea back on track as he learns how to get the best from raw recruits Oscar, Eden Hazard and Marco van Ginkel.” l

to have summer Barca ride on Messi treble, 'Impossible' 2022 WC: Uefa members Chelsea stumble at home n Reuters

n

Match Results Schalke 04

3-0

Chelsea

1-2

Marseille

1-2

Uchida 67, KP Boateng 78, Draxler 85 Oscar 45

J. Ayew 90+3-pen

Steaua Bucharest

Basel

Salah 71, Streller 81

Arsenal

Walcott 64, Ramsey 84

Napoli

2-1

Austria Vienna

0-1

FC Porto

Atletico Madrid

3-1

Zenit

AC Milan

2-0

Celtic

Barcelona

4-0

Ajax

Higuain 29, Insigne 67

Miranda 40, Turan 64, Baptistao 80

Izaguirre 82-o.g., Muntari 86 Messi 22, 55, 75, Pique 69

Dortmund

Zuniga 87-o.g.

Lucho 55 Hulk 58

AFP, Paris

Lionel Messi hit a hattrick as Barcelona began their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Ajax on Wednesday but Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea suffered a shock home defeat.

Messi took his tally to 62 Champions League goals and became the first player to score more than four Champions League hat-tricks, whilst also netting his 24th such treble for Barca.

A day after Cristiano Ronaldo hit three in Real Madrid’s 6-1 thumping of Galatasaray, Messi reminded everyone who is still the four-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner.

And typically it was a dazzling display from Messi that got the 2009 and 2011 winners off to the ideal start.

And the diminutive wizard dedicated the victory to Barca coach Gerard Martino, who will fly home to Argentina to attend his father’s funeral.

Messi’s first had an air of inevitability

Liverpool prime Suarez for United clash n AFP, London Controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could return against old rivals Manchester United next week after completing his 10-match ban.

Suarez, who played 90 minutes in a friendly against Burnley in midweek, will be available for next Wednesday’s League Cup tie at Old Trafford.

“We have been organising some games behind closed doors, both in terms of in-house 11-a-side matches and bringing teams in,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

“In between that he has had international games as well to keep him ticking over. He has been doing a lot of individual work, specific to him on top of all that and replicating his high intensity speed runs that he would do in a game.

“It is not the same as playing in a match but say he did 100 high intensity runs in a game, he has been replicating that in training so that he is at a level where we hope he will hit the ground running.

“There are always other things in a game — the crowd and the anxiety you cannot replicate that in training -- but what you can at least do is get him to a level of fitness so that his numbers are replicated and that keeps him at a high level.”

Suarez was handed a domestic ban

last season for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic but has been allowed to play internationals.

“The idea is that hopefully when he steps back in it will be seamless. Of course there will be a transitional period for him but I am really looking forward to having him back,” added Rodgers. l

about it as he was first felled on the edge of the area and then stepped up to curl home a sumptuous free-kick.

And his second came in another of Messi’s classic moves as he took a pass from Sergio Busquets on the right before cutting inside onto his left foot to shoot home. Messi didn’t allow anyone else to hog the limelight for long as he fired home his third from Xavi’s pass 15 minutes from time.

In the group’s other game, AC Milan left it late before avoiding an embarrassing slip-up at the San Siro as Emilio Izaguirre’s own goal broke Celtic’s hearts, with Sulley Muntari adding a second to secure the Rossoneri a 2-0 success.

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were stunned in the shock result of the night as FC Basel left Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 victory in Group E. The hosts had seemed to be heading to a routine home victory when Brazilian Oscar put them ahead after quick, slick passes from David Luiz and Frank Lampard.

But then Mohamed Salah bent the ball around Ahsley Cole and inside the post on 71 minutes before Marco Streller headed home the unexpected winner from a corner.

Schalke 04 took command of the group with three goals in the final quarter to beat Steaua Bucharest 3-0.

Japan’s Atsuto Uchida, Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and German international Julien Draxler bagged the goals. Last season’s runnersup Borussia Dortmund had a disastrous start to their campaign as they went down 2-1 at Napoli in Group F. Arsenal joined Napoli at the top of the group with a 2-1 win over Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. l

European football federations have agreed it would be “impossible” to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in summer as planned and a task force will be set up to find an alternative.

“Obviously there are certain reservations regarding the World Cup in Qatar but everyone agrees that it would be impossible to play in the severe heat of Qatar in the summer,” FIFA vice-presi-

They all agree that to play the World Cup, to take thousands of fans to the biggest sporting event in the middle of summer would be impossible dent Jim Boyce told Sky television.

“It is very important that we get this right,” he added, speaking in a phone interview after a meeting of the 54 European football federations in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

“They all agree that to play the World Cup, to take thousands of fans to the biggest sporting event in the middle of summer would be impossible.”

FIFA is expected to agree in prin-

ciple to the switch at its next executive committee meeting in October.

“It is very important that we get this right,” added Boyce.

“I think what will happen is that they will probably agree for everyone, including the people in Qatar of course, to sit round a table and come up with a solution.

“What has happened has happened.

It is in Qatar and at the end of the day what has to happen here is that the best interests of football are sorted out and I am confident that will happen. It is purely a one-off.”

Last week, the association representing European clubs said they would not be opposed to a re-scheduling of the tournament but added they wanted to be consulted about the new timing.

Qatar has said, despite the searing temperatures, it can stage the World Cup in the summer by building airconditioned stadiums using newly environmentally-friendly technology.

Stadiums would be cooled to around 28 Celsius.

However, there are still worries about how fans will deal with the heat away from the stadiums. l

Rooney credits Moyes with improved fitness n AFP, London

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says that new manager David Moyes’s “intense” training sessions have helped him rediscover his touch on the pitch.

Rooney missed almost of all United’s pre-season campaign through injury and was then ruled out of the 1-0 loss to Liverpool prior to the international break with a facial wound.

Having been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea during the close season, the 27-year-old England forward says he is now just focusing on playing as well as possible.

“I’ve put my head down and worked hard and tried to do everything right”.

“I’ve tried to show the right attitude.

I’ve always felt that’s a really important thing to do. That’s paying off for me on the pitch. I feel fit and ready to do well.

“I feel good. I’ve had some good training the last few weeks. It’s been stop-start with the injuries, but I’ve just kept my head down and worked hard and now I’ve played and got some goals.

“I feel great. The training is a bit different under the new manager. I remember it from Everton — it’s more intense. That’s helping me. I feel good and am glad to be out playing.” l

Ukraine's Viktor Panteleichuk kicks the ball next to Senegal's Ngalla Sylla during their Beach Soccer World Cup match in Papeete, on the French Polynesian island, on Wednesday. Senegal won 5-4 AFP

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Ferrari say rivals scared over Raikkonen

Quick Bytes

Bangladesh withdraws from U-16 football The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has called off their Under-16 national training camp and decided not to participate in the AFC Under-16 Championship Group F qualifiers, which is scheduled to be held in Kyrgyzstan from September 25. Through a press release yesterday, BFF informed that they had to cancel the tour due to unsatisfactory preparation. BFF president Kazi Salahuddin took the decision after being advised by that preparations were below what was required by youth coach Rene Koster. The Under-16 squad began preparing from August 30. “The coach (Rene Koster) informed the president he was dissatisfied with the team’s preparation and could not guarantee that they would be able to perform well against strong opposition like Oman, Qatar and Kyrgyzstan,” said BFF vice president Badal Roy, who is also the chairman of the development committee. The BFF may be fined around USD$5,0008,000 for their late withdrawal, hinted general secretary Nayeem Shohag.

– SH

n AFP, Singapore

BD team flies for Islamic Solidarity Games today

A nine member Bangladesh team will participate in the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games at Palembang, Indonesia from September 22 to October 1. The Bangladesh contingent, who fly to Indonesia today, will participate in the disciplines of archery, taekwondo and weightlifting. The archers are Ram Krisha Saha, Sadekul Islam and Emdadul Haque Milon. Sraboni Biswas, and Shahnaz Kahtun will compete in taekwondo and Shahria Sultana, Molla Sabira and Mostain Billah will be competing in the weightlifting. Wing commander Rafikul Islam is the chef de mission.

–RM

School tennis tournament

The Acme 3rd Inter School Tennis featuring six schools from the capital starts at the National Tennis Complex today. The participating schools are Viqarunnissa Noon School, Scholastica, Playpen Manarat International School, BAF Shahin School and BCSIR School.

Around 200 boys and girls will participate in the two day event across five sections. Students of class one to five will be eligible to play. General secretary of the Bangladesh Tennis Federation Abdur Rahman announced the event to the press at a press conference at the tennis complex yesterday. Tournament director Sheikh Md. Aslam was also present on the occasion.

– RM

Army top karate event The Army Karate team bagged five golds in the 2nd and last day of the 4th Japan Cup Karate Championship at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. The Army won gold in men’s and women’s senior team, senior women’s 45kg and 50kg and senior men’s singles Kata events. A total of 600 participants from 40 teams took part in the tournament. Chief guest state minister Shamsul Hoq Tuku, MP distributed prizes to the winners.

-SH

Botany beat Law in DU football Department of Botany beat Department of Law 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the final of the Dhaka University Inter Departmental Football at the central sports ground yesterday. After the stipulated 50 minutes ended goalless, the match went to the shootout where Botany prevailed.

-RM

Durham win County Championship title Durham won their third County Championship title in six years after completing an eight-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire with more than a day to spare yesterday.

Rain washed out the third day’s morning session but when play resumed after lunch at Chester-le-Street, the hosts needed just 62 more runs to win with all 10 second innings wickets left. They took just 16 overs to reach their target, and although they lost Keaton Jennings and Scott Borthwick along the way, Mark Stoneman’s 35 not out saw Durham to victory.

– AFP

Day’s Watch Star Cricket Champions League Twenty20 Qualifiers 3:50 PM Wolves v Kandurata at Mohali LIVE 7:50 PM Otago v Sunrisers at Mohali LIVE

15

Friday, September 20, 2013

McLaren driver Sergio Perez Mendoza of Mexico (L), Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland (C), Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany (2nd R), Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany(3rd R), Force India driver Adrian Sutil of Germany (R) and Williams driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland (2nd L) take part in a presser ahead of the upcoming Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race in Singapore yesterday. Formula One's Singapore Grand Prix will be held from September 20 to 22 AFP

Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali claimed rivals were scared Thursday as the Italian marque hit back at a storm of criticism over their re-signing of former world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Domenicali said comments from Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and others questioning Raikkonen’s impact were simply part of a “psychological war” aimed at destabilising his team.

Current lead driver Fernando Alonso and Raikkonen also dismissed the speculation, which has blown up since the “Iceman” was signed up for next season.

“Maybe they’re afraid because we’re strong, because honestly this is part of the psychological war that is part of this environment,” Domenicali said ahead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“The only thing is that honestly, it’s not so interesting for me because I don’t listen. We have the luxury that everyone can say what they want... funnily enough, you never hear me speak about the others.”

Schumacher has called the pairing of two strong-willed former world champions “explosive”, while McLaren’s Button suggested Ferrari’s move was “great” for other teams. l

Haddin returns, Warner Ashes to feature extra DRS reviews out for India tour n n AFP, Sydney

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was Thursday recalled to Australia’s oneday squad to play India but troubled batsman David Warner and spinner Fawad Ahmed missed out.

Captain Michael Clarke was also among the 14 players selected for the seven-game series in India from October 11, but whether he makes the trip or not depends on treatment for his chronic back problem.

Haddin was the surprise inclusion, winning his place on the back of a lean England one-day series by alternative keeper Matthew Wade, which Australia won 2-1.

Haddin, 35, was drafted back into the Test side in place of Wade for the recent Ashes series against England to serve as Clarke’s vice-captain. He broke Rod Marsh’s 30-year-old record for the most dismissals in an Ashes series, but

was not in the team for the subsequent one-day matches.

“Matthew Wade has been omitted due to lack of form and has been replaced by Brad Haddin, who captured an Ashes series record of dismissals in

Squad Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vicecapt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson July and August,” said national selector John Inverarity.

“Matthew is 25 years of age and has a great deal of natural ability both as a batsman and as a keeper. The selectors are confident that Matthew will regain form and press hard for selection in the not-too-distant future.”

The glaring ommission for India was the dynamic Warner, who missed the first two Ashes Tests after being suspended in the run-up to the series for punching England’s Joe Root in a Birmingham bar following Australia’s Champions Trophy defeat to their arch-rivals.

He was then dropped for the oneday matches against England and returned home early to Australia.

Inverarity made no comment on the left-hander but Clarke earlier in the day backed him to bounce back from his England disappointment.

“He knows we’ve got a huge summer ahead and when an opportunity comes up again, I’m sure he’ll grab it with both hands,” said Clarke.

Pakistan-born Ahmed, who made his international debut in England, also missed out, with Xavier Doherty replacing him as the only specialist spinner in the squad. l

AFP, London

England and Australia will be granted additional reviews during the forthcoming Ashes series as part of a change to the controversial Decision Review System, the International Cricket Council said Wednesday.

At a meeting of the ICC’s chief executives’ committee at the global governing body’s Dubai headquarters, officials agreed the number of reviews will be “topped-up” to two after 80 overs of a Test innings.

Currently, teams are only permitted a maximum of two unsuccessful reviews per innings. The new playing conditions will be trialled from October 1, meaning they will be in force for the Ashes which begin with the first Test in Brisbane starting on November 21.

Wednesday’s statement from the ICC came after England’s recent 3-0 Ashes series win at home to Australia was beset by numerous rows over the

use of DRS, with both sides unhappy at different times.

Things got so bad the ICC took the highly unusual step of sending their general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, over to England to meet the teams midway through the series in a bid to address their concerns.

One repeated complaint centred around the third umpire’s use of DRS and the way in which the replay official interpreted their remit while another problem area focused on the reliability of the Hotspot thermal imaging device in detecting thin nicks.

In response to these issues, and a technology trial conducted during the third Ashes Test at Manchester’s Old Trafford ground, the ICC said they’d set up a Working Group to look at ways of improving both DRS and the training of umpires.

Officials also suggested a Real-Time Snickometer could be added to the list of tools at the third umpire’s disposal.l

Australia could have lost Ashes 5-0: Broad n AFP, London England fast bowler Stuart Broad on Thursday dismissed claims by Australia coach Darren Lehmann that the tourists were unlucky to lose this year’s Ashes series.

Lehmann said after England’s 3-0 victory that Australia could have won at least two Tests, after the third Test at Old Trafford fell victim to rain and the fifth Test at the Oval was ended by bad light with the match finely poised.

However, Broad believes that the series could just as easily have finished with an England whitewash.

“Lehmann said it could have been 3-2 to Australia, but it could have been 5-0 to us,” he said, in comments reported by several British newspapers

on Thursday.

“And anyway, that’s not how sport works, is it? It’s a results-driven business. Sure, Australia had chances to win Test matches in England, but they won none. That’s the bottom line.”

Broad is due to be the focus of attention when the return series begins in Australia in November, after his contentious decision not to walk during the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Lehmann apologised to Broad after calling on Australia’s fans to heckle him in a radio interview, but the England bowler says he fully expects to be given a hard time.

“The head coach of Australia has called for a barrage, but I am one of these characters who thrives off a bit of niggle,” Broad said. l

West Indies 'A' captain Kieron Powell and team-mates pose with the trophy after they beat India 'A' in the 3rd ODI at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday PTI

Bolt may defer 2016 retirement plan

WI 'A' wrap up series with big win

n AFP, London

A middle-order collapse hurt India A as West Indies A (279 for six wickets) won the second unofficial ODI at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday by 55 runs. Right-arm pacer Miguel Cummins took four wickets for 31 and Nikita Miller bagged back-to-back wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan to spell doom for the home team.

India were all out for 244 in the 49th over. The three-match series is now level 1-1. India A won the first match on Sunday by 77 runs. The decider will be played in Bangalore on Thursday.

In what turned out to be decisive moment of the match, India A lost Yuvraj and Pathan off successive deliveries. Left-arm spinner Miller was on a roll as he got the better of Yuvraj (40)

Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt revealed on Thursday that he may not retire in 2016 and is also hoping to compete at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The six-time Olympic champion had previously suggested that he would bow out after the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, but he hinted that he could elect to continue in the sport for one extra year.

“I think that my sponsors and everybody wants me to continue so I’ve really sat and thought about it and maybe I will go on for one more year, and just make everybody happy,” he told AFPTV.

“My fans also are saying I should go on, so I think I might do another year.”

Bolt also expressed enthusiasm to take part in the Commonwealth Games, having never previously competed in the quadrennial event for nations from the former British Empire.

“I have said to my coach that I would love to go to the Commonwealths,” he said.

“It’s something that I haven’t done before. It’s up to him, but I have said to him that I want to be a part of it. My coach will think about it and we will see what he says. I am not 100 percent sure.

We will discuss and see what he says.”

Bolt was speaking at a book signing for his new autobiography, ‘Faster than Lightning’, in central London. l

n Agencies

and Pathan (0) as the West Indians put pressure with a combination of good bowling and smart thinking. Kedhar Jadhav paid for poor shot selection after scoring 35 off 38 balls. The inability

Brief Score West Indies A 279 for 6 in 50 overs (Edwards 36, Carter 133, Johnson 39, Vinay Kumar 3/56, Pathan 2/61).

India 224 in 48.4 over Yuvraj 40, Unmukt 38, Jadhav 35, Ojha 34, Miller 2/46, Cummins 4/31, Carter 2/33). of the Indian batsmen to convert good starts proved to be a major undoing as Naman Ojha (34) became the fifth top order batsman to squander a decent start. (Also read: Yuvraj Singh rues dropped catches)

Earlier, Carter’s almost a run-a-ball 133 was the cornerstone of the Caribbean innings as West Indies A scored 279 for six wickets in their 50 overs. R Vinay Kumar took 3 for 56 and Yusuf Pathan took 2 for 61 to keep the West Indians in check after India A won the toss and decided to field.

Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat claimed the crucial wicket of Carter, who was LBW after a 132-ball innings laced with 18 fours and three sixes. A 79run third wicket stand between Carter and Kirk Edwards (36) helped West Indies recover from a poor start (21 for 2).

Carter was a one-man show as he scored with ease as Yuvraj used six bowlers to contain the rampaging 25-year-old lefthander from Barbados. Carter has never represented West Indies in ODIs, T20 internationals or Test matches. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Friday, September 20, 2013

Curtain falls on Sangu on Oct 1 n Aminur Rahman Rasel Sangu, the first offshore gas field in the country, run by Australian oil and gas exploration company Santos, will be shut down permanently on October 1 with its reserves running out fast.

The closure is likely to have serious effect on household and power plants gas supply in the Chittagong region, as Sangu is the main source of gas in the area.

“At present, a total of 3 million cubic feet of gas is being produced daily [from the Sangu 11 well]. In a recent letter to Petrobangla, Santos said running the field would not be commercially viable and thus has to be declared abandoned,” Muhammad Imaduddin, Director of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) told the Dhaka Tribune.

According to the letter, the gas field will be shut down on October 1, at 7am.

“Petrobangla and Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd officials will visit the field on September 22,” Imaduddin said.

“The officials will make recommendations based on the situation of the platform out in the Bay of Bengal, the processing plant and the pipelines,” he said.

BGFCL, a concern of Petrobangla, will later monitor the gas field according to the recommendations.

Once the Sangu gas field is abandoned, energy-starved south east of the country will suffer for years to come.

However, a Petrobangla official hoped that the state-run agency will be able to supply at least 200mmcfd more gas from several gas fields by December.

So the gas crisis may see a little progress.

Santos had previously requested Petrobangla to take over the operations of the Sangu platform in the Bay of Bengal, its processing plant and the pipelines – worth around $500m – within 90 days of the notice period, as per the Production-Sharing Contract.

The Australia-based company had started supplying gas from the Sangu-11 well on June 17, 2012 at a rate of 25mmcfd, after signing the first-ever third-party gas purchase and sales contract in the country, with state-owned Power Development Board (PDB) as the purchaser.

JS completes 400 working days n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The last session of the 9th parliament went for a 10-day break yesterday, after completing 400 working days, to equal the record held by the fifth parliament, which had completed 400 working days for the first time.

The Awami League-led parliament would make history when the House resume on September 30, for working the highest number of days.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury told the Dhaka Tribune that the House may continue till October 10, but from October 11 to October 19 there won’t be any sessions.

“We will resume on October 20 and continue until the last day of the House on October 24,” said the speaker.

It is not clear whether the main opposition BNP will join the last session.

The speaker has urged all parties to bury their differences for the last session of the House.

The 19th session of parliament began on September 12. l

This was the first gas sale to an end-user at market price by any international oil company operating in Bangladesh.

Before starting production at the Sangu-11 well, Santos had shut the depleted main Sangu gas field, in order to use the single offshore platform. The older Sangu gas field was then supplying around 8mmcfd of gas.

The primary Sangu gas field and Sangu-11 well has produced 485.78bn cubic feet (bcf) of gas till December 2012, according to Petrobangla officials.

From Sangu-11, the Australian firm was selling gas to the PDB at $4.50 per Mcf (1,000 cubic feet), up 55% from the previous rate of $2.90 per Mcf, for gas from the older Sangu well.

According to Petrobangla’s estimate, Sangu field had a proven reserve of 577.80bcf gas, however, Prof Ijaz Hossain of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) believes the estimates of has been a matter of “hide and seek”.

“The reserve is supposed to exhaust, since an excessive amount of gas was produced in the beginning,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

“The expected gas could not be extracted from Sangu’s main gas fields because of over extraction. It may cause danger to the gas fields,” said Ijaz Hossain.

“The Sangu gas field could produce more than 150mmcfd, but now it can only produce 3mmcfd,” he said.

Sangu was discovered by Cairn in 1996 who handed over the ownership with assests and liabilities to Dutch company, Shell in 1998.

After a steady production of gas for six years from Sangu, Shell gave all of its upstream assets and undertakings back to Cairn Energy in 2004.

In October 2007, Santos acquired from Cairn Energy, a 37.5% interest in the Sangu Development Area, and a 50% interest in Block 16 exploration acreage, located in the Bay of Bengal.

In December 2010, Santos acquired the remainder of Cairn’s interests in Bangladesh, and became operator of the acreage. l

Minister, AL MPs slam Muhith for not releasing MPO fund n Kamran Reza Chowdhury Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday joined party MPs to criticise Finance Minister AMA Muhith in parliament for not releasing funds for the monthly payment order (MPO) for private educational institutes – an incident rarely seen in parliamentary practice.

In parliamentary norms, ministers never criticise their cabinet colleagues as the essence of the Westminster form of government is a collective responsibility of the cabinet.

Making a supplementary question during the scheduled question-answer hour for ministers, Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said the government had achieved remarkable successes in the educational sector but those successes were “overshadowed by the delay in releasing the money estimated by the education ministry.”

‘Give me funds, I will give the MPOs tomorrow’

Atahar Ali, from Barisal, earns a living by selling shells, rings and tinkles which he carries on his body and roams around the city streets.

The photo, taken at Mohammadpur yesterday, is a rare portrayal as they are seldom seen these days SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

UNFPA for gay rights in Bangladesh Government inspection n finds most RMG factories in sorry state Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The UN Population Fund and some NGOs are “pressuring” Bangladesh to accept some thorny and sensitive issues, including adopting a sexuality education and ensuring gay rights.

“We told them that we cannot accept the issues as they are against our social norms,” Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN AK Abdul Momen told the Dhaka Tribune Wednesday.

He said the UNFPA had tried to sell the idea of rights of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), but Bangladesh had opposed it as it also had not supported extramarital sexual rights.

On adopting a comprehensive sexuality education, he said it was not possible in Bangladesh.

“If Bangladesh adopts it, we have to teach our 10 to 12-year-old school-going children about how to have sex through animation,” he said, adding that the international connotation of comprehensive sexuality education was completely different.

These issues, which are sensitive

in Bangladesh’s context, are being discussed at the five-day long Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) in Bangkok and Bangladesh is taking part in the conference without proper preparation. The event began on September 16 and will conclude today.

On Wednesday, Health Secretary MM Niazuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that no inter-ministerial meeting had been held prior to the conference.

Niazuddin was supposed to lead the Senior Officials’ Meeting in the conference on September 16-18 but he left Bangkok on September 17. He had, however, made a statement on Bangladesh’s position the previous day.

The UNFPA is bearing the expenses of the seven-member Bangladesh delegation.

When asked about his statement, he said: “The UNFPA prepared a statement for me and when I arrived there [Bangkok], I found that the [Bangladesh] ambassador also prepared one.

The ambassador’s speech was too long.

I revised it and place it.”

About the adolescent reproduc-

tive health, he said it was included in the text book. “It is very clear that we should advise adolescent boys and girls and we have to educate them.”

Asked about the LGBT issue, he admitted that he had no idea how the negotiation had been going on in Bangkok.

A note prepared by the UNFPA for the Bangladesh delegation suggested that they “refrain from making comments on the language [of the draft of the declaration] related to women’s equal rights to inherited custom as it is a sensitive area.”

On the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity, the UNFPA proposed that the delegation should “refrain from voting against any motions in favour of services for LGBT.” About the comprehensive sexuality education, it said: “The delegation should strongly support realisation of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR), including access to SRH [sexual and reproductive health] information, services and sexuality education.” Representatives from 40 countries are attending the conference. l

DUTY-FREE ACCESS TO EU MARKET

Myanmar’s RMG export success a threat to Bangladesh n Asif Showkat Kallol If Myanmar continues to enjoy duty and quota-free access to Europe’s market, Bangladesh’s emergence as a major exporting nation may come under serious threat, a commerce ministry official has said.

He said the faculty could transform the “once outsider” nation into a magnet for labour intensive factories.

According to the European Commission website, as a least developed country, Myanmar benefits from the most favorable regime available under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), namely the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme.

The EBA gives the 50 least developed countries, including Myanmar, duty free access to the EU for export of all products, except arms and ammunition.

On September 12, Tapan Kanti

He said the education ministry had estimated an annual expenditure of Tk10bn a year for MPO of 900 teachers of non-government schools, colleges and madrasas.

“Tk1,000 crore [Tk10bn] is a paltry amount against our national budget of over Tk200,000 crore. The finance minister has left – he should have listened to us…Many of the teachers have been starving; so, the finance minister must release the funds. This is the sentiment of the House,” he said.

The attending MPs shouted “yes” in chorus as Sheikh Selim asked them if they wanted the MPOs. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury intervened, saying the education minister was answering questions.

Taking the floor, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said: “I express the same view. I am one of you. How can we give MPOs if we are not given any funds?

“Give me funds, I will give the MPOs tomorrow.”

The government provides non-government teachers listed under the MPO with their basic salaries. l

Ghosh, commercial counselor of the Bangladesh Embassy in Belgium, had sent a letter to the ministry expressing his concern and advising necessary steps in this regard, he commerce ministry official said. Copies of the letter were sent to the Export Promotion Bureau and the foreign ministry.

If EU continues to offer the same preferences, Myanmar will emerge as a strong competitor in two-three years Citing comparative export data from Bangladesh and Myanmar, the letter apprehended that the Myanmarese garment exporters would be in a strong position in a short time in the global market – including the 27-nation EU market – taking advantage of its healthy energy resources.

In 2012, Myanmar exported Tk218.8m to the EU countries at zero tariff while Bangladesh exported Tk12bn at 5% tariff during the same period.

Leading apparel exporter Salam Murshedi said: “Because of duty and quota-free access, our exports to EU have been growing at double-digit rates since the late 1990s. But if EU continues to offer the same preferences to Myanmar, they will emerge as a strong competitor in two-three years. They have unlimited land, cheap power and labour, and are sitting on one of Asia’s largest gas reserves. All they need is foreign investment,” he said.

Murshedi, who is also the president of BGMEA, said Myanmar had already wooed some major investors from Japan, China and Thailand.

Some others, who had been waiting in the wings, would rush to set up labour-intensive factories in the nom-

inally-democratic country anytime, he said.

Image crisis, coupled with poor infrastructure and political unrest, have badly hampered Bangladesh’s exports, Murshedi pointed out.

Myanmar was reinstated into EU’s GSP tariff preferences on July 19, 2013, in response to the political and economic reforms in the country since 2011. These preferences had been temporarily withdrawn since 1997 due to violations of the ILO convention on forced labour.

Khandker Golam Moazzem, additional director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said labour safety is one of the major obstacles in the development of Bangladesh’s garment sector.

If Bangladesh failed to improve labour safety standards then countries like Myanmar might take the advantage, he warned. l

n Mohosinul Karim The special inspection committee to oversee building structure and environment of the readymade garment factories has found that the apparel industries are beset with a wide range of irregularities.

The committee came up with its findings after a thorough inspection of RMG factories in Dhaka, Chittagong and on the outskirts of these two cities and submitted the report to the cabinet committee yesterday. In the report, it cited three major findings, plus 11 specific recommendations.

The anomalies the investigation team found included shaky building structures, faulty wiring, absence of emergency exits, water reservoirs, fire extinguishers and effluent treatment plants.

Most factories lack medical centres and rest rooms for garment workers, walking space and complaint centres while some of them did not have equipment properly installed.

The report found that the RMG owners hardly gave any appointment letters and leave facilities to their labour and paid optimum wages.

A random inspection of 227 readymade garment factories across the country by 11 sub-committees led by joint secretaries of different ministries prepared the report.

Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, chief of the special inspection committee, handed over the report to the cabinet committee yesterday.

Handing the report, the minister told reporters the committee had completed its random inspection.

At first, individual reports were prepared, and later, they were compiled by the high-power inspection committee, he said.

But the jute minister denied disclosing the findings and recommendations, saying the committee had done its work and submitted the report.

The report will be analysed and finalised by the cabinet committee on RMG.

Wishing not to be named, some on the special committee told the Dhaka Tribune the 460-page report was prepared by random inspection of 227 garment factories in Dhaka, Chittagong and on the outskirts of the two major cities.

They said the report focused on all irregularities and problems facing the RMG factories.

According to the findings, the behaviour of industrial police is not also labour-friendly, and in most cases, police protect the interests of the RMG owners.

The inspection found that most buildings housing the garment industries were poorly constructed and not approved by Rajuk, and soil was not tested before the building construction.

Besides, the factories had much lack of congenial working atmosphere, it added.

As per the report, the RMG owners do not give the appointment letters to the garment workers and are reluctant to maintain workers’ registers and attendance books while the child labour are available in some factories.

The workers insurance system is absent in most RMG factories, it said.

The report added that most factories lacked designs of electrical wiring and the electrical works were not checked regularly.

The main switches of most factories were set up inside the factory which were the clear violation of rules. Even, the main switches of some factories were installed in the warehouses being too risky.

The committee suggested the government establish the garment industrial parks immediately, relocate the garment factories and allow housing RMG factories in those buildings constructed as per the rules and regulations.

It also advised the government to suspend the approval of those buildings constructed without consulting with technical experts.

The report also included the suggestion of submitting 10% annual profit of the factories to establish labour rights. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed at Romask Limited, 184, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1215. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

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Business

B2 Saarc handicrafts fair in Dhaka begins Sunday

B3 ‘Hilsa exporters insist on lifting ban’

friday, september 20, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

GP to launch 3G ahead of schedule

EBA to Myanmar may affect Bangladesh exports to EU

Service Package awaiting BTRC approval for commercial launching n Asif Showkat Kallol n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Grameenphone (GP), the largest mobile phone operator in the country, is all set to officially launch its 3G (third generation) services on September 29 in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Commercial launching of the service, however, will take place on October 8 for customers in the capital and the port city, within a month of the spectrum auction.

Meanwhile, GP has already began test runs in different areas of the capital on Wednesday night, said Tanveer Mohammad, chief technology officer at GP. “We have already set up two 3G BTSs in the GP House (headquarters of the GP) area for testing and are also trying to set them up in some other parts of the city. Within the next ten days we will be able to have a significant number of 3G BTSs up online.”

Another high-ranking official with the operator said: “After the test runs we will do a soft launch in the GP house to test the quality

of services.” GP has sought approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)for its different 3G packages, he said.

The company has already madean appointment with the Telecom Minister Advocate Shahara Khatun for the launching programme, which will also be attended by some high-ranking officials from Telenor, the parent company of GP. Officials said the Bashundhara, Uttara, Dhanmondi, Banani, Gulshan, Baridhara, Mirpur and Motijheel areas of Dhaka be connected to GP’s 3G network on a priority basis and that services will be extended to the rest of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur districts

by November.

At a press conference last week, Vivek Sood, chief executive officer at GP said: “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Grameenphone and Bangladesh.

The country is getting ready for the data centric era, and our mission is to help the nation

move ahead by providing internet for all.”

GP has employed ninety experts with a view to introducing 3G services to its subscribers, sources said.

Another operator, Robi, is also trying to commercially launch 3G within this month, around the same time or even before GP. Robi has made preparations for a programme on October 5 at a city hotel, sources inside the company said.

GP, which is aware of Robi’s preparations, might also rethink their launching date, according to an official at GP. Along with Robi and Airtel, GP received the 3G license and No Objection Certificate (NOC) on September 12. Before receiving the license and NOC, GP had selected its equipment vendor and received three containers of equipment this week.

At the September 8 auction, GP acquired 10MHz of spectrum for $221m while the other three operators – Robi, Airtel and Banglalink – bought 5MHz each. l

Crowd spill over tax fair in Dhaka n Tribune Report There was a huge crowd in the income tax fair in Dhaka yesterday and the visitor were seen waiting to get service even after the closing hour.

A total of 87,516 people received services on the fourth day in Dhaka and the National Board of Revenue collected over Tk2.33bn, said officials.

To reduce crowd at a single fair and make access to service easier, the taxpayers suggested that the NBR should organise such events more than once a year.

According to them, holding of fair twothree times a year will attract more people to pay tax and ensure more hassle-free service.

“There should be three income tax fairs a year. If so happened, the fairs would make more people aware and access to service would be much easier,” said Ziaul Karim (47), a banker.

He said taxpayers now have to wait one year to submit return and when the fair is held after a year all crowd it, making access to service difficult.

The banker, however, lauded the NBR’s organising and management of the fair.

In Dhaka, 22,038 taxpayers submitted returns, 1,859 fresh taxpayers registered for E-TIN and 10,272 had their TIN made electronic.

Anusheh Mahmood, a marketing student of University of Dhaka, said the fair is very encouraging for the young taxpayers.

A huge number of taxpayers continue to visit income tax fair in Dhaka She also urged the revenue body to organise income tax fair more than once a year.

A total of around Tk5.89bn revenue was collected by NBR during last four days in the fairs across the country. A total of 247,746 people have received services while 6,951 fresh taxpayers have registered for E-TIN and 38,346 have made their E-TIN online. A total of 59,906 returns were submitted.

The tax fair of NBR began on Monday at

NASHIRUL ISLAM

the seven divisional headquarters to raise awareness among the people to pay taxes.

Besides, the body is holding two-day fairs in 54 districts, of which, 24 districts began yesterday.

In Dhaka, there were 16 general booths, 44 E-TIN registration booths, two E-Payment booths, 72 return filing booths, 50 help desks, four correction booths and two emergency health booths. l

Myanmar exporters are now getting duty-free and quota-free market access of the European Union, offering a tough competition for the local exporters in the labour-intensive industries.

The European Union offered the trade facility under their scheme of Everything But Arm, which might affect Bangladesh’s export to the EU, official sources said.

Local exporters as well as government officials also expressed concern over the possible impact on Bangladesh’s emergence as a major exporting nation. “Because, the facility could transform the once outsider nation into a magnet for labour intensive factories,” an official of commerce ministry said.

He said the commercial counselor of Bangladesh Embassy in Belgium Tapan Kanti Ghosh sent a letter to the commerce ministry on September 12, expressing the concern and requesting to take necessary measures by the commerce ministry. A copy of the letter also sent to the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh and the foreign ministry.

Myanmar garment exporters will be in strong position within a short period of time in the global apparel market, including the 27-nation EU market for exploiting its vast energy resources,” the letter reads.

In 2012, Myanmar exported Tk219m worth of goods to the European Union countries at zero tariff when Bangladesh exported goods of Tk12bn at 5% tariff.

“Because of the duty-free and quota-free access, our exports to EU have been growing at a double-digit rate since the late 1990s,” said Abdus Salam Murshedi, a leading apparel exporter and President of Exporters Association of Bangladesh.

“If EU offers the same trade preferences to Myanmar, they will need just two to three years to emerge as a major competitor of Bangladesh. They have unlimited land, cheap power and labour and are sitting on one of Asia’s largest gas reserves. All they need is foreign investment,” he said.

Murshedi said Myanmar already wooed major investors from Japan, China and Thailand, while others waiting in the wings would rush to set up labour-intensive factories in the nominally-democratic country. Image crisis along with poor infrastructure and political unrest in Bangladesh definitely hamper the local export items, he pointed out.

CPD’s additional research director Khandker Golam Moazzem said the labour securities are the major bar to development of the country’s garment sector. If Bangladesh fails to improve labour safety and securities, countries like Myanmar may emerge within short time, he pointed out.

The EU approved the EBA scheme for Myanmar on June19 this year. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

friday, september 20, 2013

Food industry advised to get ISO certification n Tribune Report The country’s food industry owners have been advised to take necessary steps to obtain the ISO (22000:2005) certification to win confidence of foreign buyers.

“There’s no alternative to the certification for the food industries to increase exports after meeting the domestic demand,” Industries Minister Dilip Barua told a workshop in Dhaka yesterday.

SME Foundation organised the workshop titled “Technology Upgradation Through Implementation of Food Safety Management System for ISO 22000:2005” at the auditorium of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) in Dhaka.

National Productivity Organisation (NPO) under the Industries Ministry awards the ISO 22000:2005 certification through a strict supervision under Japanese experts on food management.

Barua said the goal of building an enlightened and healthy nation through industrialisation cannot be achieved if industries produce substandard and adulterated food.

He also advised the entrepreneurs to ensure health and environmental safety issues in their production system. l

DHL marks Global Volunteer Day

n Tribune Business Desk DHL employees observed Global Volunteer Day 2013 recently.

As many as 60 employees of DHL Worldwide Express and DHL Global Forwarding Bangladesh served breakfast and lunch to 100 underprivileged visually-impaired children, said a press release.

They along with the children also participated in gardening works on the school premises and cultural events.

DHL previously set up a state-of-theart sound system for the children’s classrooms and helped the school get 2013 Braille books. l

Modhumoti Bank opens Motijheel branch

n Tribune Business Desk Modhumoti Bank Ltd (MBL) has started operation of Motijheel branch in the city.

Railway Minister Mazibul Haque inaugurated the branch as chief guest by cutting a cake yesterday, said a press release.

MBL chairman Humayun Kabir presided over the function also attended by directors and sponsors of the bank, among others.

MD and CEO Md Mizanur Rahman administered the function. l

Shahjalal Islami Bank Securities elects its Chairman

n Tribune Business Desk Women working at a handicrafts factory in Dhaka

Dhaka Tribune

Saarc handicrafts fair in Dhaka begins Sunday n Tribune Report A Saarc handicraft exhibition will begin in Dhaka on Sunday to bolster mutual harmony in the region through promoting traditional products and developing cultural institutions.

India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will take part at the fair apart from host Bangladesh, Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad told a press conference at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday, announcing the event schedule.

The Sri Lanka-based Saarc Cultural Centre in collaboration with Bangladesh culture affairs ministry will organise the six-day show at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises.

Around 18 craftsmen from Bangladesh, eight from India, 10 from Pakistan, six from Sri Lanka and four from Bhutan will take part.

This year’s exhibition will be held under

four sections – Saarc exhibition on handicrafts, design workshop, buyer-seller meet on the fifth day and review meeting on Saarc map of cultural industries.

Craftsmen from all the Saarc member countries will display and sell their best products while a special design workshop is scheduled to be conducted by trained professionals, who would focus on increasing the marketability of products within and outside the region.

The objectives of the event are to identify, nourish and protect the fading traditional crafts with specific focus on handicrafts of the member states; to improve market facilities for the products of cultural industries; to look into various aspects of cultural industries such as the economic, legal, technological, and educational aspects of the products of cultural industries; and to execute and display the skills of the craftsmen of the Saarc region all in one location, according to the Saarc Cultural Centre. l

Mohammed Solaiman has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman in the Board of Directors of Shahjalal Islami Bank Securities Limited (SJIBSL) at the bank’s 19th meeting held on September 15.

Mohammed Solaiman is the Managing Director of Paradise Corporation and Paradise Electronics, the Sponsor Director and Former Chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), Mercantile Insurance Co Ltd, Founder Director of Central Hospital Ltd, Eden Multicare Hospital and Hardco International School. In the same meeting, Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Halim were re-elected unanimously as the Vice-Chairmen of the SJIBSL. l

Himalaya Herbals gives prizes to wholesalers

n Tribune Business Desk Himalaya Herbals Bangladesh (HHB) recently distributed prizes among its successful wholesale partners at a function in the city under a sales promotional campaign called “Boihsakhi Jhoro Offer.”

The prizes included motorbikes, LCD television, air conditioners and laptops, among others, said a press release.

The function was attended, among others, by HHB country manager Mahamud Shohedul Amin Bhuiyan, regional business head from Indonesia Jasminder Singh, brand manager from Singapore Aditya Aole and deputy managing director of Rigs Group SK Humayun Kabir. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

friday, september 20, 2013

‘Hilsa exporters insist on lifting ban’ n Asif Showkat Kallol The commerce ministry is facing pressure from the local hilsa traders to lift ban on the export of the fish, said official sources.

Hilsa is as popular in the Indian state of West Bengal as it is in Bangladesh.

“Hilsa exporters continue to insist on lifting ban order. We are under huge pressure from them,” a top official of the commerce ministry told the Dhaka Tribune early this week.

“But the ministry is yet to decide on the issue,” he said.

‘Those enjoying benefit from the huge catch of hilsa presently are not the fishermen but the middlemen’

The official said although there is a ban order in effect, the hilsa are allegedly being smuggled to the neighbouring Indian state after a good catch this season.

President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporter’s Association (BFFEA) Kazi Shahnawaz told the Dhaka Tribune that they have sent several letters to finance minister and commerce minister and secretary to withdraw the current ban order in hilsa export.

As supply becomes abundant, the hilsa price has dropped by 20-25% on the local market in last few days compared to one month before, said Kazi Shahnawaz.

“Those enjoying benefit from the huge catch of hilsa presently are not the fisher-

A large quantity of hilsa were caught recently, dropping prices and the exporters are now demanding lift of ban on export Syed Zakir Hossain men but the middlemen,” he alleged.

According to the BFFEA president, because export is banned, the local fishermen have to sell out the fish now to the middlemen at the reduced prices.

During the current season, a huge amount of hilsa are being caught in the rivers in Barisal, Patuakhali and Bhola.

On July 31, 2012, the government imposed a ban on the export of hilsa to keep its prices at a level affordable to the commoners on local market.

But there are allegations that the fish pop-

ular in both Bengals are entering the West Bengal through illegal channels in huge amount from the maritime areas.

Recently, a Kolkata-based daily Anandabazar Patrika reported about smuggling of hilsa to India from Bangladesh hitting the kitchen markets of West Bengal.

The availability of hilsa in West Bengal also decreased its price on the Kolkata market.

Indian traders are collecting Bangladeshi hilsa from the river mouths or in the sea, the report said. l

Why quarterly reports on banks stopped?

IMF asks for explanation from Bangladesh Bank n Asif Showkat Kallol International Monetary Fund has sought explanation from Bangladesh Bank why it discontinues publication of quarterly reports of the state-owned commercial banks, said official sources said.

The IMF also wanted know the amount of the net open position (NOP) limit of Sonali Bank which exceeded NOP limit due to its placement with the Sonali Bank UK. A requisition of key information on the monetary and financial sectors and infrastructure investment has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. The ministry has been requested to provide the information by the end of this week.

Sources said the IMF has also sought explanation from the Bank and Financial Institutions Division about the doubling deposit money of the public non-monetary financial institutions since the end of 2012 in the form

of holdings of securities.

As part of this, detailed monthly information from July 2012 by individual banks or by bank groups and types of public non-monetary financial institution. A four-member IMF mission is scheduled to visit Dhaka from September 22 and October 4.

IMF has also sought explanation from the Bank and Financial Institutions Division about the doubling deposit money of the public non-monetary financial institutions since the end of 2012 in the form of holdings of securities It will hold talks with the finance ministry, energy and power ministry, agriculture ministry, industry ministry, central bank and National Board of Revenue.

In its further queries, IMF wanted why

the English translation of the Bank Companies (Amendment) Act should not be made available at a shortest possible time. They also sought update on limiting banks’ capital market exposure till June 2013 as per the Bank Companies (Amendment) Act. The lender asked for update on the stateowned commercial banks’ performance as of June 2013 under the memorandum of understanding.

Update on the revisions in the MoUs in line with the findings in the September diagnosis of the state-owned commercial banks has also been asked for.

During the visit, the IMF mission will review progress on implementation of the ECF conditions as it has already released the third installment of US$136.6m of the fund.

After that, the lender will consider releasing the fourth installment from $1bn extended credit facility approved for Bangladesh. l

3

Stocks finish lower in volatile trade n Tribune Report Stocks finished lower amid high volatility yesterday, as investors were cautious over the fresh political chaos.

The market swung between positive and negative several times throughout the session with intra-day volatility was more than 55 points.

The benchmark DSEX index edged 18 points or 0.5% lower to 4,098. The blue chip index DS30 was slightly down 6 points or 0.4% to 1,512.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, declined 47 points to 7,983.

Already subdued sentiment deepened over the fresh political violence, said a leading broker.

Some investors preferred to leave the market and some, mainly institutional ones, took position, he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami has called a 48hour countrywide hartal (shutdown) from Wednesday after the Supreme Court awarding death penalty to its leader Abdul Quader Mollah for wartime offences, fueling fear of fresh political violence.

Trading remained sluggish at DSE as the turnover value came down to eight-session low value of Tk4.9bn, a sharp decline of nearly 26% from previous session’s 3-week high value of Tk6.5bn.

The market breadth also remained negative as out of 288 issues traded, 123 advanced, 139 declined and 26 remained unchanged.

IDLC Investment said ahead of weekend, participants kept watchful over ongoing developments. Amid slower participation and apparent lack of market directions, investors mostly opted for short-term profit booking, it said.

Consequently, scrip wise movements continued, mostly in micro cap and mini cap scrips. Overall, market outlook seemed to be volatile in line with shaky market sentiment, according to the IDLC. All the major sectors ended in red except non-banking financial institutions that gained 0.6%. Power lost the most on the day, shedding 0.6%, followed by banks and pharmaceuticals which were down by 0.37% and 0.19% respectively.

After closing lower in the previous session, telecommunications ended flat.

CMC Kamal was the most traded stock of the session with with shares and debentures worth Tk222m changing hands.

Other top turnover leaders were Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, United Airways, Jamuna Oil, Olympic Industries and JMI Syringe. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

friday, september 20, 2013

In sign of downturn, Indian retail landlords finally capitulate on price n Reuters, Mumbai In a capitulation that speaks to the depth of the slump in India’s economy, usually tight-fisted retail landlords have become uncharacteristically flexible on rents, as Lacoste India CEO Rajesh Jain knows well.

The French brand name has been offered space at a mall in the north Indian city of Jalandhar. But rather than seeking a fixed rent, the landlord is willing to take a cut of Lacoste’s revenue, a concession to the tenant to help it protect its sales margins.

“Discounts for a foreign lifestyle brand in a premium property were unheard of even a few months back, but now developers are coming to the table and are offering revenue share instead of rentals,” Jain said, adding the landlord had also offered to furnish the store to secure Lacoste’s tenancy.

Retailers in India say they can now negotiate revenue sharing deals or discounts on rent of up to 20% and many are jumping at the chance, not necessarily because they see a bottom to the economic downturn but because the supply of new retail space is expected to tighten sharply from 2015.

“The discounts won’t be higher than 20% even if the economy doesn’t improve in the next two quarters because the lack of supply is going to hit market sentiment very soon,” said Saloni Nangia, president for retail at Technopak Consultants.

“There are not enough new malls being built,” she said. Landlords cut rents during the global financial crisis but traditionally have not been sensitive to changes in the economy, largely because they were cushioned by wide margins.

Now, they have been hit by a combination of factors. They have a lot of idle space, some of it expensive, after betting heavily on efforts by the government to open up the retail sector to foreign competitors.

But the expected wave of foreign retailers failed to materialize, forcing landlords to offer discounts even in the premium malls and popular high-street locations long impervious to a weakening economy.

That has coincided with the broader slide in the economy and the fall this year in the rupee

Men work at the site of a new shoe store on a street in Mumbai to a record low. GDP growth is running below 5%, less than half the rate seen in early 2010, and the pace of retail sales this financial year is expected to be its weakest in three years.

“Some corrections have happened. Some realities had to be considered,” said Tushar Mehta, the director of Amanora Town Center, a 1.1 million sq-ft mall (102,000 square meters) in the city of Pune, near Mumbai. “Retailers are seeing this as a window to close a deal at a better rate.”

The mall, with brands such as Hong Kong fashion chain Esprit Holdings Ltd, US clothing brand Levi’s and Britain’s department store Marks & Spencer (MKS.L), has renego-

tiated some leases in recent months at a discount of 5-8%.

The chance to lock in cheaper rents has prompted Future Retail to focus on relocating stores rather than opening new ones.

It has opened only two of its flagship Big Bazaar hypermarkets this year through July, compared with 20 a year earlier. It has, however, relocated several to locations offering more competitive rents.

“There are many good deals available now and it only makes sense to block those spaces up because the economy won’t stay this way forever,” said C P Toshniwal, the group’s chief financial officer.

Reuters

Costa Coffee, a unit of Britain’s Whitbread Plc, is finding better deals on high streets than in malls, with prices down 10-15% in the past two to three months, its India managing director, Santhosh Unni, said. He expects rents to keep falling in the next 6-8 months.

Hypermarket chain Spencer’s Retail, owned by power utility CESC Ltd, said rental costs have dropped as much as 20% and it has been negotiating for 40 properties ahead of plans to open 80 stores over four years.

“We are hopeful of booking twice the number of deals today than we would normally because the market has become more realistic,” said Chief Executive Mohit Kampani. l

India forces companies to start charitable giving n AFP, New Delhi India’s government still struggles to provide reliable basic services to a majority of its citizens, trapping hundreds of millions of them in poverty.

Now the country’s richest firms have been told they must help.

Under the new amended Companies Act passed last month by parliament, large businesses have been asked to spend 2% of their profits each year on “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR).

“The idea is that if we could divert some corporate energy and the corporate way of doing business into our development sector, for a country like India it could help enormously,” the head

of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Bhaskar Chatterjee, explained to AFP. CSR is broadly - some say vaguely - defined in the law to mean funding programmes for education, poverty alleviation, protecting the environment or tackling disease, among others.

It’s one of the first such laws of its kind in the world, promising a cash bonanza for charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) while raising serious concerns the funds could worsen India’s endemic corruption.

CSR has been imposed across much of corporate India. Any business with sales of more than 10bn rupees ($156m), a net worth of 5bn rupees, or bottom-line profits of 50m rupees is liable.

They must set up a board to implement and report on the company’s CSR policy, in theory ensuring that an average of 2bn of the net profits of the previous three years is spent annually.

Failure to report on this spending, as with other financial disclosure requirements, will result in fines and possibly imprisonment for a company’s directors.

IICA, a business group established by the ministry of corporate affairs, calculates that 7,000 companies qualify, creating a possible annual pool of funds estimated at 120-150bn rupees ($1.9-2.4bn).

Sidharth Birla, president-elect of business group FICCI, says that corporate India lobbied

hard against previous drafts of the law that would have forced companies to spend their profits.

“If they had made it mandatory then what would have stopped any other authority from imposing a burden on the company?” he told AFP, reprising one of the arguments against mandatory spending.

The final law says companies should set aside 2% of profits for CSR and must report on their activities, but it also gives them an easy get-out - there are no sanctions for failing to spend the money.

“We have been given to understand that you could well report that ‘I have seen everything and I can’t spend it’,” Birla said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

friday, september 20, 2013

Fed’s decision not to cut stimulus ‘prudent’ n Reuters, Beijing The US Federal Reserve’s decision to delay reducing its massive monetary stimulus appears prudent, China’s Xinhua news agency said yesterday.

“The Fed’s ‘no taper yet’ decision seems prudent at the moment as the global economic outlook remains gloomy,” the official state-run agency said in an English-language commentary.

“However, while the unconventional monetary measure may be effective in boosting market confidence in the short run, the

flip side is also evident,” it added.

The news agency said a disorderly tapering “could trigger worldwide market turbulence, causing negative spillover effects such as increasing volatility in cross-border capital flows, the global currency market, asset prices and bulk commodity prices,” Xinhua said.

The US should remain “sober-headed” in making decisions about quantitative easing (QE) and always keep an eye on medium- and long-term risks, it added.

“The QE may have helped the US to reduce the impact of the latest financial crisis

and contributed to sustaining the economic recovery, but clearly, it is no panacea,” Xinhua said.

“It is the hope of the emerging markets that the US and other advanced economies could step up coordination and communication with the rest of the world on the timing and steps of the so-called tapering, so that the markets could have reasonable expectations,” the agency said.

Commentaries on Xinhua can be read as a reflection of Chinese government thinking, though they do not amount to official policy statements. l

Fed surprises, sticks to stimulus as it cuts growth outlook n Reuters, Washington The US Federal Reserve defied investor expectations on Wednesday by postponing the start of the wind down of its massive monetary stimulus, saying it wanted to wait for more evidence of solid economic growth.

Investors responded by propelling US stocks to record highs and driving down bond yields. Yields on US Treasury debt had risen over the summer on expectations the Fed would cut back its $85bn a month in bond purchases that have been the cornerstone of its efforts to spur the economy.

Furthermore, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke re-

until after Bernanke’s term as Fed chairman expires in January. That would leave the tricky task of unwinding the stimulus to his successor, quite likely Fed Vice Chair Janet Yellen, who was identified by a White House official on Wednesday as the front-runner for the job.

Bernanke declined to comment on his future, beyond saying he hoped to have more information soon.

A Reuters poll of 17 top Wall Street bond dealers found that nine were now looking for the US central bank to trim its bond purchases at a meeting in December, but few held much confidence in their forecasts. One looked for a reduction in

‘Taking into account the extent of federal fiscal retrenchment, the committee sees the improvement in economic activity and labour market conditions since it began its asset purchase program a year ago as consistent with growing underlying strength in the broader economy’

fused to commit to reducing the bond purchases this year, and instead went out of his way to stress the program was “not on a preset course.” In June he had said the Fed expected to cut back before year end.

“There is no fixed calendar schedule. I really have to emphasize that,” he told a news conference. “If the data confirm our basic outlook, if we gain more confidence in that outlook ... then we could move later this year.”

The reaction in markets was swift and sharp.

The US dollar fell to a seven-month low against major currencies and the price of gold, a traditional inflation hedge, soared more than 4%.

“The Federal Reserve remains quite concerned about the overall sluggishness of the economy, preferring to take the risk of being too loose for too long as opposed to tighten prematurely,” said Mohamed El-Erian, co-chief investment officer at Pimco, which manages the world’s largest mutual fund.

Some economists said it was possible the Fed might not begin to wind down its bond buying

October, while two more said the Fed would wait until next year.

Earlier this month, 13 of 18 of these so-called primary dealers polled forecast a September tapering of the purchases.

LOWERS ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST In fresh quarterly forecasts, the Fed cut its projection for 2013 economic growth to a 2% to 2.3% range from a June estimate of 2.3% to 2.6%.

The downgrade for 2014 was even sharper.

It cited strains in the economy from tight fiscal policy and higher mortgage rates in explaining why it decided not to cut back on its asset purchases.

“The tightening of financial conditions observed in recent months, if sustained, could slow the pace of improvement in the economy and labour market,” the Fed said in a statement.

Nevertheless, it said the economy was still making progress despite higher tax hikes and the budget cuts in Washington that were part of the “sequester” implemented by Congress.

“Taking into account the extent of federal fiscal

retrenchment, the committee sees the improvement in economic activity and labour market conditions since it began its asset purchase program a year ago as consistent with growing underlying strength in the broader economy,” it said.

“The (policy-setting) committee decided to await more evidence that progress will be sustained before adjusting the pace of its purchases,” the Fed added.

Bernanke had stated in June that officials expected to begin slowing the pace of bond purchases this year and would likely end the program by mid-2014, at which point the central bank forecast the unemployment rate would be around 7%.

In his statement on Wednesday, he said a jobless rate of 7% was not a “magic number” that would govern when the Fed would turn off the monetary spigot.

“We could begin later this year. But even if we do that, the subsequent steps will be dependent on continued progress in the economy,” Bernanke said. “We don’t have a fixed calendar schedule.

But we do have the same basic framework that I described in June.”

The Fed has held overnight interest rates near zero since late 2008 and has more than tripled its balance sheet to more than $3.6 trillion through three rounds of bond buying aimed at holding borrowing costs down.

The decision not to taper bond purchases faced a single dissent. Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George, who has dissented at every Fed policy meeting this year, repeated her concerns that the low-rate policy could lead to asset bubbles.

Fed Governor Sarah Raskin, who has been nominated to take a top job at the US Treasury, did not participate in the meeting.

The central bank reiterated that it would not start to raise rates at least until the unemployment rate fell to 6.5%, as long as inflation did not threaten to go above 2.5%. The US jobless rate in August was 7.3%.

Most policymakers, 12 out of 17, projected the first rate hike would not come until 2015, even though the forecasts suggested they could hit their threshold for considering a rate rise next year.

Following the unexpected decision, market participants pushed back their projections for the first rate hike by several months, to late January 2015, based on prices of interest rate contracts traded at the Chicago Board of Trade. l

5

Dollar weakens against Asian units after Fed stimulus decision

n AFP, Tokyo The dollar was broadly lower against emerging market currencies in Asian trade on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve’s surprise decision to keep its aggressive stimulus programme intact.

From the Indian rupee to the Philippine peso, the Fed news boosted higher-yielding, riskier currencies in emerging markets. The rally came after they suffered heavy selling in August as foreign investors fled to the United States expecting interest rates there to rise.

The rupee has been plumbing alltime record lows as fears surged that a Fed pullback would send waves of capital flowing out of the region.

“Risk assets are set to stage a strong comeback after the Fed surprisingly left its asset purchase size unchanged,” Credit Agricole said.

“Asian currencies should strengthen, on the back of the weak dollar, and the reduced worries over capital outflows.”

In other trading, the dollar edged up against the yen after treading water against the Japanese unit in morning deals. The greenback fetched 98.32 yen, up from 98.13 yen in New York on Wednesday. It was at 99.19 in Tokyo before the Fed announcement.

The euro bought $1.3532 against $1.3511 in US trading, hovering around its highest level on the dollar since February and well up from $1.3353 on Wednesday.

The European currency strengthened to 133.06 yen from 132.55 yen.

Investors had expected the US central bank to begin cutting its $85 billion per month bond-buying programme following broadly upbeat data on the world’s number one economy.

However, the bank instead lowered its growth forecast for 2013 and 2014, while its chairman Ben Bernanke warned of possibly “very serious consequences” from a brewing political battle in Washington over a new budget and the debt ceiling.

Bernanke said the Fed could still taper its quantitative easing programme later this year if the outlook improves.

The decision will have raised some eyebrows in markets, National Australia Bank said in a note Thursday.

“For the Fed, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that it has completely messed up its communication policy.

We are now back to watching the incoming data,” it said.

“And crucially there is only one (jobs data) release before the next (policy) meeting on October 29-30.”

In other trading, the dollar tumbled to 61.67 Indian rupees from 63.17 Indian rupees on Wednesday, while it slipped to 11,092 Indonesian rupiah from 11,290 rupiah, although the greenback is still sitting around four-year highs. l

6

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

friday, september 20, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4097.71 ⇓ 0.45%, Turnover: 4851.99 M.Tk⇑25.69%, PE: 12.93 Turnover 5,225.41 MTk . ⇓ 26.39% September 19, 2013 MarketCap. 2,002.68 BTk.⇑0.37% CSE All Share Index: 12638⇑0.58%, Turnover: 373.42 M Tk. ⇓ 34.30%, PE: 12.70 Combined Turnover Leader Uttara Finance -A CMC Kamal Tex. -A DESCO Ltd. -A BD Submarine Cable-A UNITED AIR-A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 179539 D: 23.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.25 | 24.00 / 21.00 C: 23.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.11 | 23.50 / 22.00 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 402946 D: 15.60 ⇓ 1.89% | 15.69 | 16.00 / 14.50 C: 15.60 ⇓ 3.11% | 15.69 | 16.50 / 15.00 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 231062 D: 19.80 ⇓ 0.50% | 19.98 | 20.30 / 18.10 C: 19.90 ⇓ 1.00% | 19.92 | 20.00 / 19.30 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 285874 D: 36.20 ⇓ 0.28% | 36.28 | 38.00 / 34.80 C: 36.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 35.97 | 38.50 / 34.00 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 2489220 D: 10.90 ⇓ 0.91% | 10.96 | 11.10 / 10.00 C: 10.90 ⇓ 1.80% | 11.00 | 11.10 / 10.90 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 435282 D: 31.40 ⇑ 2.28% | 31.24 | 31.80 / 27.70 C: 30.60 ⇓ 0.97% | 30.42 | 30.90 / 29.50 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 13270 D: 58.70 ⇓ 2.17% | 59.07 | 60.50 / 54.00 C: 61.90 ⇑ 6.36% | 61.90 | 61.90 / 61.90 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 958377 D: 17.50 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.57 | 19.30 / 15.90 C: 17.30 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.38 | 17.60 / 16.50 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 113482 D: 25.30 ⇓ 0.78% | 25.43 | 26.00 / 23.00 C: 25.40 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.39 | 25.70 / 25.20 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 370900 D: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.91 | 6.00 / 5.70 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 145286 D: 26.00 ⇓ 0.38% | 26.17 | 26.30 / 24.00 C: 25.70 ⇑ 0.78% | 24.71 | 25.70 / 23.00 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 302996 D: 13.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.01 | 14.50 / 12.70 C: 14.10 ⇑ 0.71% | 13.97 | 14.10 / 13.90 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 415013 D: 17.50 ⇓ 2.23% | 17.51 | 18.00 / 16.20 C: 17.40 ⇓ 3.33% | 17.44 | 17.60 / 17.40 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 498604 D: 15.10 ⇓ 1.31% | 15.15 | 16.40 / 14.00 C: 15.00 ⇓ 1.32% | 15.17 | 15.50 / 15.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 77395 D: 17.60 ⇓ 2.22% | 17.58 | 19.00 / 17.00 C: 17.60 ⇓ 1.12% | 17.66 | 17.80 / 17.50 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 364560 D: 11.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.49 | 12.00 / 10.30 C: 11.50 ⇑ 0.88% | 11.52 | 11.60 / 11.30 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 375077 D: 11.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.22 | 11.50 / 10.10 C: 11.20 ⇓ 0.88% | 11.27 | 11.40 / 11.20 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 28080 D: 92.70 ⇓ 0.86% | 92.73 | 93.40 / 89.50 C: 87.00 ⇓ 1.69% | 86.60 | 87.00 / 86.20 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 19547 D: 14.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.69 | 15.00 / 13.80 C: 15.00 ⇑ 4.90% | 15.00 | 15.00 / 15.00 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 486636 D: 12.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.72 | 13.90 / 11.50 C: 12.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.67 | 12.90 / 12.50 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 553119 D: 14.20 ⇓ 0.70% | 14.30 | 14.50 / 12.90 C: 14.20 ⇓ 2.07% | 14.24 | 14.50 / 14.00 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 134025 D: 19.30 ⇓ 1.03% | 19.32 | 19.90 / 17.60 C: 19.00 ⇓ 1.04% | 19.00 | 19.00 / 19.00 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 588835 D: 11.60 ⇑ 0.87% | 11.74 | 12.50 / 10.50 C: 11.60 ⇑ 0.87% | 11.56 | 11.60 / 11.40 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 778555 D: 10.90 ⇓ 0.91% | 10.97 | 12.00 / 9.90 C: 11.00 ⇓ 1.79% | 11.02 | 12.00 / 10.10 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 128965 D: 13.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.18 | 14.00 / 12.50 C: 13.10 ⇓ 1.50% | 13.06 | 13.20 / 13.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 133714 D: 27.80 ⇑ 1.46% | 27.86 | 28.90 / 26.00 C: 27.40 ⇑ 2.24% | 27.74 | 28.00 / 27.30 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 125008 D: 13.70 ⇑ 1.48% | 13.66 | 14.00 / 12.50 C: 13.60 ⇓ 0.73% | 13.57 | 13.80 / 13.40

Vol. 3069464

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P

236.35

4.52

6830025

222.59

4.26

32.59

2701368

214.78

4.11

79.51

3.63

262.44

722960 9354992

189.73 181.89

3.48

PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 401733 D: 9.50 ⇓ 1.04% | 9.51 | 9.60 / 8.90 C: 9.50 ⇓ 1.04% | 9.49 | 9.70 / 9.00 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 22469 D: 16.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.53 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 17.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.42 | 17.10 / 17.10 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 226380 D: 11.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.32 | 12.00 / 10.20 C: 11.20 ⇓ 1.75% | 11.23 | 11.40 / 10.30 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 217280 D: 60.80 ⇑ 0.16% | 61.46 | 62.00 / 57.00 C: 61.10 ⇑ 0.33% | 60.80 | 61.80 / 60.10 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 51680 D: 27.30 ⇓ 1.80% | 27.48 | 28.90 / 25.10 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 3069464 D: 76.70 ⇑ 0.26% | 77.00 | 79.00 / 76.00 C: 77.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 77.06 | 77.50 / 77.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 305956 D: 25.50 ⇓ 2.30% | 25.69 | 28.50 / 24.00 C: 25.60 ⇓ 1.92% | 25.59 | 28.00 / 25.00 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 564343 D: 23.70 ⇓ 0.84% | 23.69 | 24.50 / 21.90 C: 23.70 ⇓ 0.84% | 23.62 | 24.30 / 23.30 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 135569 D: 24.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.57 | 25.20 / 23.50 C: 24.80 ⇓ 0.80% | 24.84 | 25.10 / 24.60 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 156500 D: 11.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.99 | 11.20 / 10.80 C: 11.10 ⇓ 2.63% | 11.06 | 11.20 / 11.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 516037 D: 16.10 ⇓ 2.42% | 16.22 | 16.60 / 15.20 C: 16.30 ⇓ 1.21% | 16.27 | 16.50 / 16.10 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 702266 D: 61.30 ⇓ 1.76% | 61.62 | 62.80 / 56.20 C: 62.00 ⇓ 0.32% | 61.83 | 63.00 / 60.40 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 171380 D: 16.80 ⇓ 1.18% | 16.62 | 17.10 / 15.50 C: 17.20 ⇑ 1.18% | 16.83 | 17.50 / 16.20 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 210500 D: 18.80 ⇓ 1.05% | 18.90 | 19.60 / 18.40 C: 18.60 ⇓ 7.00% | 18.63 | 20.90 / 18.00 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 54181 D: 28.50 ⇑ 1.79% | 28.56 | 28.80 / 26.10 C: 27.80 ⇑ 0.72% | 27.77 | 28.00 / 27.70 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 204148 D: 19.90 ⇓ 1.00% | 19.88 | 21.20 / 18.10 C: 19.70 ⇓ 2.96% | 19.73 | 20.60 / 19.40 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 895226 D: 14.90 ⇑ 1.36% | 14.68 | 15.20 / 13.50 C: 15.00 ⇑ 2.04% | 14.91 | 15.90 / 14.10 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 276590 D: 30.10 ⇓ 0.66% | 30.16 | 30.70 / 27.30 C: 30.10 ⇓ 4.44% | 33.70 | 33.80 / 30.00 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 869160 D: 15.10 ⇓ 2.58% | 15.21 | 15.90 / 14.00 C: 15.00 ⇓ 3.23% | 15.11 | 15.70 / 14.70 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 79700 D: 61.10 ⇓ 1.45% | 61.39 | 62.30 / 60.00 C: 62.70 ⇑ 0.16% | 61.90 | 64.40 / 61.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 377725 D: 30.20 ⇓ 1.31% | 30.53 | 31.00 / 29.00 C: 30.60 ⇓ 0.65% | 30.63 | 31.10 / 30.00 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 105424 D: 28.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 28.13 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 28.10 ⇓ 2.77% | 28.05 | 28.30 / 27.10 ICB | 109.65 | 769.98 | Vol. 12976 D: 2074 ⇑ 1.59% | 2115 | 2142 / 2064 C: 2092 ⇑ 4.50% | 2092 | 2092 / 2092 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 151299 D: 25.70 ⇓ 3.02% | 25.77 | 26.30 / 23.90 C: 26.20 ⇓ 1.13% | 25.96 | 26.50 / 25.60 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 2167000 D: 18.80 ⇑ 6.21% | 18.16 | 19.30 / 17.30 C: 19.00 ⇑ 6.15% | 18.22 | 19.30 / 17.30 INVESTMENT 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 3050 D: 175.9 ⇓ 2.92% | 176.07 | 182.0 / 175.1 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 700 D: 169.8 ⇑ 0.47% | 170.00 | 170.0 / 169.5

77.00

19.44

DSE Gainer

DSE Loser

C%

A%

CP

10.00

-6.93

38.50

PrimeFin. 1st MF-A

9.78

5.20

20.20

CMC Kamal Tex.-A

9.58

4.35

34.30

Central Pharm-N

9.58

5.22

36.60

EBL NRB M.F.-A

9.09

7.58

7.20

Legacy Footwear -A

6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 9300 D: 46.10 ⇑ 1.10% | 46.13 | 46.40 / 45.80 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 5500 D: 50.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 50.18 | 50.90 / 49.50 1STBSRS | 14.43 | 161.88 | Vol. 45000 D: 92.00 ⇑ 3.14% | 92.67 | 94.00 / 90.20 C: 94.90 ⇓ 0.11% | 94.90 | 94.90 / 94.90 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 426000 D: 40.40 ⇑ 0.50% | 40.79 | 41.70 / 40.10 C: 40.20 ⇓ 0.25% | 40.44 | 41.70 / 40.00 ICBAMCL1ST | 7.14 | 48.54 | Vol. 226500 D: 33.40 ⇑ 5.70% | 32.90 | 34.00 / 31.30 C: 32.80 ⇑ 2.50% | 32.75 | 34.50 / 32.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 118500 D: 17.50 ⇑ 1.74% | 17.50 | 17.90 / 17.20 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 512500 D: 46.20 ⇑ 4.05% | 46.05 | 47.40 / 44.30 C: 45.50 ⇑ 1.79% | 45.65 | 46.90 / 45.30 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 2000 D: 23.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.50 | 23.60 / 23.50 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 203500 D: 9.50 ⇑ 2.15% | 9.60 | 9.70 / 9.50 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 822450 D: 16.30 ⇑ 0.62% | 16.55 | 17.50 / 14.90 C: 16.50 ⇑ 1.23% | 16.59 | 16.90 / 16.20 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 1841500 D: 20.20 ⇑ 9.78% | 19.84 | 20.20 / 18.40 C: 20.10 ⇑ 9.84% | 19.98 | 20.10 / 19.00 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 510407 D: 6.60 ⇑ 1.54% | 6.62 | 6.70 / 6.30 C: 6.70 ⇑ 3.08% | 6.66 | 6.80 / 6.50 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 59500 D: 5.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.46 | 5.60 / 5.40 C: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.50 | 5.50 / 5.50 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 221500 D: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.74 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.80 ⇑ 3.57% | 5.80 | 5.80 / 5.80 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 2215973 D: 7.20 ⇑ 5.88% | 7.27 | 7.40 / 6.20 C: 7.20 ⇑ 5.88% | 7.22 | 7.40 / 7.00 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 281000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 4.00% | 5.16 | 5.30 / 5.00 C: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.12 | 5.20 / 5.00 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 159500 D: 5.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 5.49 | 5.60 / 5.30 C: 5.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.39 | 5.50 / 5.20 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 747864 D: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.45 | 6.60 / 6.00 C: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.40 | 6.50 / 6.40 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 213000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.24 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.23 | 5.30 / 5.20 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 233000 D: 5.10 ⇑ 2.00% | 5.10 | 5.20 / 5.00 C: 5.10 ⇑ 4.08% | 5.06 | 5.10 / 5.00 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 197000 D: 5.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 5.71 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 5.73 | 5.80 / 5.60 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 291000 D: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.20 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.18 | 5.20 / 5.10 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 641516 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.96 | 6.30 / 5.40 C: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.93 | 6.00 / 5.80 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 528000 D: 5.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.17 | 5.30 / 5.10 C: 5.20 ⇑ 1.96% | 5.14 | 5.20 / 5.00 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 785500 D: 5.40 ⇑ 1.89% | 5.42 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.50 ⇑ 3.77% | 5.46 | 5.50 / 5.20 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 67000 D: 6.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.31 | 6.40 / 6.30 C: 6.40 ⇑ 1.59% | 6.48 | 6.70 / 6.40 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 380500 D: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.08 | 6.30 / 5.90 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 997450 D: 7.80 ⇑ 2.63% | 7.85 | 8.00 / 7.00 C: 7.70 ⇑ 4.05% | 7.81 | 8.00 / 7.50 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 144000 D: 7.20 ⇑ 9.09% | 7.10 | 7.20 / 6.80 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 703050 D: 7.90 ⇑ 1.28% | 8.13 | 8.30 / 7.10 C: 7.90 ⇑ 1.28% | 7.91 | 8.10 / 7.80

Modern Dyeing-B Savar Refractories-Z BD. Autocars -B Anwar Galvanizing-B Monno Stafllers-A

C%

A%

CP

-9.96

-10.27

151.80

-9.79

-5.54

94.90

-9.73

-9.63

46.40

-8.50

-13.37

28.00

-8.25

-7.80

417.20

LRGLOBMF1 | 0.50 | 10.82 | Vol. 20000 D: 6.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.80 | 7.00 / 6.60 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 103500 D: 6.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.92 | 7.00 / 6.90 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 813150 D: 8.10 ⇑ 2.53% | 8.18 | 8.30 / 7.50 C: 8.30 ⇑ 6.41% | 8.02 | 8.30 / 7.60 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 14000 D: 8.50 ⇑ 4.94% | 8.54 | 8.70 / 7.80 C: 8.00 ⇓ 1.23% | 8.00 | 8.10 / 7.90 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 27000 D: 8.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.04 | 8.10 / 8.00 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 575500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 1.61% | 6.47 | 6.70 / 6.20 C: 6.40 ⇑ 4.92% | 6.39 | 6.50 / 6.10 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 22000 D: 6.90 ⇓ 2.82% | 6.91 | 7.10 / 6.80 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 405123 D: 115.7 ⇓ 0.52% | 116.00 | 118.9 / 104.7 C: 115.9 ⇓ 0.52% | 116.13 | 118.3 / 115.1 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 6050 D: 18.10 ⇑ 1.69% | 17.97 | 18.60 / 17.00 C: 19.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.03 | 19.10 / 19.00 OLYMPIC | 5.94 | 14.91 | Vol. 561939 D: 229.4 ⇑ 2.32% | 229.52 | 231.9 / 215.0 C: 229.4 ⇑ 2.59% | 228.79 | 231.8 / 223.0 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 34100 D: 167.7 ⇓ 1.06% | 168.45 | 175.2 / 165.1 C: 166.5 ⇓ 1.71% | 166.82 | 182.0 / 162.0 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 5450 D: 81.70 ⇑ 1.74% | 81.98 | 85.20 / 80.10 C: 81.00 ⇑ 7.57% | 80.78 | 81.00 / 80.00 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 4700 D: 417.2 ⇓ 8.25% | 426.60 | 482.0 / 417.2 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 231422 D: 222.1 ⇑ 1.32% | 221.63 | 226.0 / 205.0 C: 220.3 ⇓ 0.14% | 219.88 | 222.2 / 218.0 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 21950 D: 189.9 ⇑ 0.85% | 189.25 | 191.0 / 186.5 BDAUTOCA | 0.25 | 6.23 | Vol. 150050 D: 46.40 ⇓ 9.73% | 46.62 | 51.80 / 46.30 QSMDRYCELL | 1.65 | 58.49 | Vol. 270194 D: 38.20 ⇓ 3.05% | 38.26 | 39.60 / 36.00 C: 38.10 ⇓ 3.54% | 38.21 | 39.00 / 38.00 RENWICKJA | 5.62 | -90.00 | Vol. 29400 D: 180.1 ⇓ 4.00% | 180.68 | 190.0 / 176.0 NTLTUBES | -2.52 | 312.10 | Vol. 137140 D: 81.10 ⇓ 5.04% | 82.40 | 86.70 / 78.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 1162802 D: 30.40 ⇓ 2.56% | 30.21 | 33.00 / 28.50 C: 30.60 ⇓ 2.24% | 30.24 | 32.00 / 29.00 ANWARGALV | 0.51 | 8.08 | Vol. 353000 D: 28.00 ⇓ 8.50% | 27.92 | 30.00 / 27.60 C: 29.50 ⇓ 7.23% | 28.98 | 31.30 / 28.70 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 138000 D: 111.7 ⇓ 1.50% | 113.27 | 118.4 / 110.1 C: 114.6 ⇓ 0.35% | 115.13 | 121.9 / 110.5 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 296180 D: 42.40 ⇓ 1.17% | 42.65 | 45.00 / 39.00 C: 42.50 ⇓ 0.23% | 42.54 | 43.20 / 42.20 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 271019 D: 43.70 ⇓ 1.35% | 43.78 | 45.10 / 40.00 C: 43.70 ⇓ 1.35% | 43.58 | 44.10 / 41.10 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 134368 D: 71.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 72.01 | 74.10 / 70.00 C: 71.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 71.62 | 72.00 / 71.50 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 88179 D: 70.50 ⇑ 0.57% | 70.45 | 71.20 / 64.00 C: 70.70 ⇑ 0.86% | 70.29 | 71.90 / 69.60 DESHBANDHU | 1.16 | 12.02 | Vol. 900528 D: 24.50 ⇓ 2.00% | 24.53 | 25.50 / 22.50 C: 24.60 ⇓ 1.60% | 24.74 | 25.70 / 24.00 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 127300 D: 43.40 ⇓ 2.69% | 43.63 | 45.00 / 41.00 C: 43.90 ⇓ 1.79% | 43.89 | 44.20 / 43.60 BENGALWTL | 2.42 | 20.72 | Vol. 338400 D: 45.70 ⇓ 0.22% | 45.74 | 46.30 / 45.20 C: 45.30 ⇓ 0.22% | 45.35 | 46.40 / 44.90 NPOLYMAR | 2.01 | 324.37 | Vol. 183887 D: 66.40 ⇓ 4.05% | 67.22 | 71.10 / 64.00 C: 66.30 ⇓ 2.21% | 67.09 | 68.90 / 65.00

KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 500 C: 19.00 ⇓ 3.06% | 19.00 | 19.00 / 19.00 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 99750 D: 107.1 ⇓ 3.69% | 108.88 | 114.5 / 105.0 C: 107.7 ⇓ 3.93% | 107.01 | 109.0 / 103.0 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 144358 D: 474.6 ⇑ 2.06% | 471.46 | 500.0 / 430.0 C: 468.6 ⇑ 1.14% | 467.40 | 475.0 / 447.0 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 4025 D: 1459 ⇓ 2.67% | 1471 | 1500 / 1456 C: 1500 ⇑ 0.00% | 1530 | 1560 / 1500 GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 3350 D: 245.3 ⇓ 6.30% | 249.25 | 258.0 / 240.0 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 1150 D: 827.3 ⇓ 0.31% | 828.70 | 850.0 / 821.0 ZEALBANGLA | -23.01 | -193.09 | Vol. 1000 D: 8.40 ⇓ 1.18% | 8.40 | 8.40 / 8.40 CVOPRL | 2.66 | 13.28 | Vol. 60800 D: 800.4 ⇓ 2.75% | 805.08 | 826.0 / 785.0 C: 802.5 ⇓ 1.17% | 804.83 | 819.0 / 800.0 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.53 | 53.37 | Vol. 260000 D: 295.3 ⇓ 3.94% | 293.53 | 305.0 / 285.0 C: 298.0 ⇓ 2.58% | 295.37 | 305.0 / 285.0 SHYAMPSUG | -36.87 | -355.85 | Vol. 300 D: 8.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.67 | 8.40 / 7.70 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.62 | 4.46 | Vol. 889000 D: 31.10 ⇑ 0.32% | 30.54 | 32.30 / 28.30 C: 30.80 ⇑ 1.99% | 30.08 | 32.20 / 27.50 FUWANGFOOD | 1.26 | 12.37 | Vol. 605082 D: 27.00 ⇑ 1.89% | 26.74 | 27.80 / 23.90 C: 27.10 ⇑ 1.88% | 26.79 | 27.40 / 26.00 MEGHNAPET | -0.58 | -1.02 | Vol. 3000 D: 6.70 ⇓ 5.63% | 6.67 | 6.90 / 6.50 MEGCONMILK | -6.68 | -16.22 | Vol. 61000 D: 8.80 ⇓ 5.38% | 8.87 | 9.20 / 8.80 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 1410494 D: 24.30 ⇓ 0.41% | 24.09 | 25.90 / 22.00 C: 24.20 ⇓ 0.41% | 24.14 | 25.10 / 23.00 FINEFOODS | -0.11 | 10.58 | Vol. 416905 D: 24.50 ⇓ 5.04% | 23.92 | 25.90 / 23.30 C: 24.40 ⇓ 6.51% | 24.14 | 26.00 / 23.50 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 896275 D: 24.10 ⇓ 1.63% | 23.99 | 24.90 / 22.20 C: 24.10 ⇓ 1.23% | 24.22 | 24.90 / 23.30 GHAIL | 1.01 | 22.08 | Vol. 358760 D: 45.10 ⇓ 0.44% | 45.19 | 45.80 / 41.00 C: 45.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 44.86 | 45.50 / 44.70 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 21850 D: 727.7 ⇑ 0.36% | 728.65 | 749.9 / 719.5 PADMAOIL | 16.38 | 43.67 | Vol. 252928 D: 355.1 ⇓ 0.48% | 357.36 | 363.5 / 335.0 C: 353.7 ⇓ 0.39% | 356.62 | 365.0 / 351.0 EASTRNLUB | 6.32 | 68.68 | Vol. 3150 D: 404.1 ⇓ 5.69% | 409.84 | 418.0 / 391.1 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 1373051 D: 25.30 ⇓ 1.94% | 24.91 | 27.00 / 23.30 C: 25.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 24.80 | 26.50 / 23.20 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 386715 D: 33.80 ⇓ 2.31% | 34.02 | 34.80 / 31.20 C: 34.10 ⇓ 1.73% | 34.29 | 35.80 / 33.80 DESCO | 2.80 | 35.25 | Vol. 2701368 D: 78.00 ⇓ 2.01% | 79.53 | 79.60 / 75.00 C: 77.50 ⇓ 1.40% | 77.46 | 80.00 / 77.00 POWERGRID | 2.56 | 48.08 | Vol. 41253 D: 56.20 ⇓ 0.18% | 56.21 | 57.00 / 53.00 C: 55.60 ⇓ 0.54% | 55.56 | 56.00 / 55.50 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 589274 D: 238.5 ⇑ 0.21% | 239.56 | 243.3 / 218.0 C: 236.4 ⇓ 0.55% | 239.01 | 243.0 / 234.5 MPETROLEUM | 16.98 | 40.41 | Vol. 367430 D: 276.2 ⇑ 0.40% | 276.43 | 279.7 / 252.0 C: 274.4 ⇓ 0.47% | 275.22 | 280.0 / 274.0 TITASGAS | 9.01 | 36.56 | Vol. 832351 D: 83.70 ⇓ 0.36% | 83.89 | 84.50 / 75.70 C: 83.50 ⇓ 0.60% | 83.60 | 84.10 / 83.50 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 98132 D: 49.50 ⇓ 1.00% | 49.68 | 52.00 / 45.00 C: 49.40 ⇓ 1.00% | 49.27 | 49.50 / 48.80

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7

September 19, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 31,762.95 ⇓ 0.62% NBFI: 20,940.08 ⇓ 0.67% INVS: 4,683.00 ⇑ 1.33% ENGG: 6,388.44 ⇑ 0.34% FOOD: 10,159.67 ⇓ 0.64% F&P: 10,744.25 ⇓ 0.83% TEXT: 3,252.88 ⇑ 0.22% PHAR: 17,655.27 ⇓ 0.16% PAPR: 1,158.22 ⇓ 0.32% SERV: 3,138.97 ⇓ 1.40% LEAT: 5,573.05 ⇓ 2.06% CERA: 550.53 ⇓ 1.86% CMNT: 4,701.43 ⇓ 0.92% INFO: 8,162.60 ⇑ 0.21% GINS: 9,493.07 ⇓ 1.25% LINS: 111,220.26 ⇓ 0.84% TELC: 1,394.15 ⇓ 0.36% MISC: 6,500.72 ⇓ 0.73% BEDL | 1.57 | 17.89 | Vol. 1003646 D: 33.80 ⇓ 2.31% | 33.97 | 34.80 / 31.20 C: 33.90 ⇓ 2.31% | 34.10 | 35.40 / 33.60 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 84189 D: 72.10 ⇓ 0.69% | 71.88 | 73.50 / 65.80 C: 71.80 ⇓ 1.24% | 71.56 | 72.20 / 71.50 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 983706 D: 27.80 ⇓ 0.36% | 27.98 | 28.80 / 25.50 C: 27.60 ⇓ 1.78% | 27.86 | 28.70 / 27.20 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 381080 D: 57.50 ⇓ 0.35% | 57.71 | 59.00 / 54.00 C: 57.20 ⇓ 1.21% | 57.43 | 58.40 / 52.20 JUTE JUTESPINN | 2.06 | 17.42 | Vol. 25650 D: 142.1 ⇑ 2.01% | 140.35 | 149.9 / 130.1 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 35500 D: 162.0 ⇓ 2.00% | 162.73 | 169.0 / 160.0 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 1.35 | 15.64 | Vol. 264532 D: 110.5 ⇑ 2.79% | 111.73 | 114.0 / 97.00 STYLECRAFT | 20.00 | 287.30 | Vol. 500 D: 1107 ⇓ 4.37% | 1108 | 1116 / 1086 RAHIMTEXT | 0.51 | 73.88 | Vol. 5200 D: 299.9 ⇓ 4.73% | 298.65 | 313.0 / 290.6 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 862400 D: 32.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.23 | 32.90 / 31.50 C: 32.40 ⇑ 0.31% | 31.99 | 32.90 / 31.40 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 9000 D: 151.8 ⇓ 9.96% | 153.67 | 183.9 / 151.8 DSHGARME | 0.72 | 12.00 | Vol. 151000 D: 84.00 ⇑ 8.67% | 77.60 | 84.80 / 69.60 DULAMIACOT | -8.46 | -27.78 | Vol. 8700 D: 9.30 ⇓ 3.13% | 9.31 | 9.50 / 9.10 TALLUSPIN | 2.56 | 12.06 | Vol. 1239557 D: 43.30 ⇑ 3.59% | 42.68 | 44.00 / 39.00 C: 42.60 ⇑ 1.43% | 42.42 | 43.50 / 40.50 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 21600 D: 89.00 ⇑ 0.11% | 87.29 | 91.80 / 84.00 C: 93.80 ⇑ 4.22% | 93.80 | 93.80 / 93.80 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 6830025 D: 34.30 ⇑ 9.58% | 32.59 | 34.40 / 28.50 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 972671 D: 26.80 ⇓ 7.27% | 27.35 | 29.00 / 26.10 C: 27.40 ⇓ 5.19% | 27.69 | 29.00 / 26.90 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 139552 D: 93.20 ⇓ 0.75% | 93.40 | 95.00 / 90.00 C: 92.90 ⇓ 1.38% | 92.65 | 93.50 / 91.70 METROSPIN | -1.00 | 19.59 | Vol. 1271183 D: 19.80 ⇑ 0.51% | 19.43 | 20.10 / 18.00 C: 19.70 ⇓ 1.01% | 19.21 | 20.00 / 18.20 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 5896677 D: 18.00 ⇑ 2.27% | 17.37 | 18.30 / 15.90 C: 18.10 ⇑ 2.84% | 17.36 | 18.40 / 16.60 DACCADYE | 1.21 | 31.13 | Vol. 407942 D: 29.10 ⇓ 2.02% | 29.37 | 30.20 / 27.00 C: 29.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 29.45 | 30.00 / 28.90 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 3188789 D: 31.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.35 | 32.00 / 28.70 C: 31.40 ⇑ 0.32% | 31.38 | 31.80 / 31.10 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 813040 D: 18.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 17.75 | 18.50 / 16.50 C: 18.20 ⇑ 2.25% | 17.62 | 18.80 / 17.00 MALEKSPIN | -1.44 | 46.87 | Vol. 909275 D: 27.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 27.20 | 27.70 / 24.80 C: 27.30 ⇑ 1.49% | 27.13 | 27.50 / 26.60 ZAHINTEX | 1.91 | 35.25 | Vol. 232500 D: 30.40 ⇓ 2.25% | 30.66 | 31.40 / 30.20 C: 31.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.15 | 31.00 / 29.10 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 1264250 D: 22.50 ⇓ 0.44% | 22.41 | 22.90 / 20.40 C: 22.50 ⇓ 0.44% | 22.34 | 22.80 / 21.90 ENVOYTEX | 3.26 | 39.26 | Vol. 483640 D: 53.20 ⇑ 0.76% | 53.06 | 53.80 / 48.00 C: 53.10 ⇑ 1.92% | 52.74 | 53.40 / 52.30 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 500800 D: 37.30 ⇑ 0.54% | 37.14 | 38.00 / 33.40 C: 37.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 36.88 | 37.60 / 36.60 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 226000 D: 36.50 ⇓ 2.14% | 36.74 | 37.50 / 36.30 C: 36.30 ⇓ 2.42% | 36.45 | 36.60 / 36.20

Pharmaceutical & Chemical AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 16100 D: 294.1 ⇓ 1.77% | 295.36 | 309.0 / 290.0 C: 293.5 ⇓ 0.68% | 293.90 | 300.0 / 291.1 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 183563 D: 47.90 ⇓ 0.62% | 47.99 | 50.00 / 44.00 C: 47.90 ⇓ 0.62% | 47.87 | 48.00 / 47.60 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 3500 D: 1046 ⇓ 3.40% | 1049 | 1071 / 1036 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 22962 D: 177.0 ⇓ 0.56% | 177.57 | 180.0 / 176.1 C: 176.0 ⇓ 1.51% | 177.20 | 186.9 / 175.0 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 14775 D: 805.3 ⇓ 0.89% | 810.22 | 822.0 / 770.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 200 D: 898.7 ⇑ 2.42% | 900.00 | 899.0 / 898.0 PHARMAID | 5.06 | 26.30 | Vol. 75700 D: 217.9 ⇓ 0.37% | 217.95 | 223.5 / 215.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 139934 D: 131.4 ⇓ 0.98% | 131.56 | 135.0 / 120.0 C: 133.0 ⇑ 0.15% | 132.61 | 136.0 / 130.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.64 | 1565.37 | Vol. 3000 D: 581.2 ⇓ 6.65% | 581.33 | 600.0 / 576.0 ORIONINFU | 8.72 | 1.73 | Vol. 299200 D: 49.10 ⇓ 2.58% | 49.62 | 51.40 / 48.80 C: 49.10 ⇓ 1.41% | 50.19 | 52.00 / 49.00 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 290028 D: 174.2 ⇓ 0.06% | 174.18 | 175.0 / 157.0 C: 174.0 ⇑ 0.12% | 173.92 | 176.0 / 173.2 IMAMBUTTON | -1.68 | 5.67 | Vol. 15000 D: 8.60 ⇓ 3.37% | 8.67 | 8.80 / 8.40 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 1707790 D: 27.30 ⇓ 1.44% | 27.45 | 28.00 / 25.00 C: 27.40 ⇓ 1.08% | 27.34 | 27.80 / 27.00 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 800 D: 843.6 ⇓ 1.96% | 843.75 | 856.0 / 831.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 61000 D: 83.40 ⇓ 0.36% | 83.95 | 84.90 / 81.80 C: 82.60 ⇓ 1.67% | 82.61 | 83.00 / 82.40 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 20950 D: 858.2 ⇑ 1.82% | 852.78 | 868.9 / 847.0 C: 859.0 ⇓ 0.38% | 859.00 | 859.0 / 859.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.33 | 11.97 | Vol. 259750 D: 14.80 ⇓ 0.67% | 14.84 | 15.00 / 13.50 C: 14.90 ⇓ 0.67% | 14.89 | 15.10 / 14.60 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 518866 D: 94.80 ⇑ 0.42% | 94.61 | 95.40 / 85.00 C: 95.00 ⇑ 0.42% | 94.94 | 96.00 / 94.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 776836 D: 24.00 ⇑ 0.42% | 23.91 | 24.50 / 21.60 C: 24.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.00 | 24.60 / 23.40 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 191000 D: 47.30 ⇓ 0.42% | 47.23 | 48.00 / 47.00 C: 47.00 ⇓ 0.84% | 46.99 | 47.40 / 46.70 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 621180 D: 64.80 ⇓ 0.31% | 65.36 | 66.60 / 58.50 C: 64.90 ⇓ 0.15% | 65.03 | 66.50 / 64.40 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 485000 D: 272.4 ⇓ 3.47% | 268.75 | 284.9 / 257.6 C: 267.3 ⇓ 3.85% | 268.41 | 285.0 / 253.7 CENTRALPHL | 0.61 | 10.99 | Vol. 1490500 D: 36.60 ⇑ 9.58% | 35.45 | 36.70 / 33.50 C: 36.70 ⇑ 9.55% | 35.65 | 36.80 / 33.50

SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.31 | 17.25 | Vol. 43639 D: 116.5 ⇓ 2.43% | 115.07 | 124.8 / 112.0 C: 120.0 ⇓ 9.64% | 120.00 | 120.0 / 120.0 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 326199 D: 28.10 ⇓ 0.71% | 27.98 | 28.80 / 25.70 C: 28.30 ⇓ 1.05% | 28.05 | 29.00 / 27.50 EHL | 2.87 | 18.48 | Vol. 787052 D: 63.20 ⇓ 1.10% | 63.79 | 65.50 / 57.60 C: 62.40 ⇓ 1.73% | 63.44 | 64.80 / 62.10

PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.64 | 11.02 | Vol. 101500 D: 32.20 ⇑ 8.78% | 29.12 | 32.50 / 26.70 C: 32.50 ⇑ 9.80% | 30.18 | 32.50 / 27.00

IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 771800 D: 22.00 ⇑ 8.37% | 21.63 | 22.30 / 18.50 C: 22.50 ⇑ 7.14% | 21.56 | 23.10 / 19.00

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 309400 D: 144.0 ⇓ 2.64% | 144.43 | 152.0 / 140.0 C: 142.9 ⇓ 3.90% | 143.85 | 150.0 / 141.0 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 6044 D: 772.0 ⇑ 0.36% | 778.32 | 790.0 / 735.0 C: 752.1 ⇓ 1.17% | 752.10 | 752.1 / 752.1 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 94000 D: 402.4 ⇓ 0.17% | 403.41 | 410.0 / 400.0 C: 401.0 ⇓ 3.23% | 401.00 | 405.0 / 400.0 SAMATALETH | -0.07 | 12.08 | Vol. 5000 D: 14.70 ⇓ 0.68% | 14.80 | 15.00 / 14.40 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 790827 D: 38.50 ⇑ 10.00% | 36.42 | 38.50 / 31.50 C: 40.70 ⇑ 9.70% | 37.95 | 40.80 / 33.60 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.71 | 96.33 | Vol. 93200 D: 38.70 ⇓ 1.78% | 38.63 | 42.90 / 37.00 C: 39.10 ⇓ 1.76% | 38.75 | 40.70 / 37.30 STANCERAM | 1.07 | 15.97 | Vol. 17500 D: 37.90 ⇓ 7.11% | 38.06 | 40.30 / 37.60 FUWANGCER | 1.43 | 13.25 | Vol. 608548 D: 22.50 ⇑ 1.35% | 22.40 | 23.30 / 20.00 C: 22.50 ⇑ 0.45% | 22.55 | 23.40 / 22.00 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 491029 D: 18.70 ⇓ 2.60% | 18.54 | 20.00 / 17.50 C: 18.80 ⇓ 2.08% | 18.55 | 19.20 / 18.00 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 250882 D: 55.30 ⇓ 1.95% | 55.64 | 56.90 / 51.00 C: 55.10 ⇓ 2.48% | 55.33 | 56.50 / 54.70 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 196160 D: 431.0 ⇓ 1.58% | 434.44 | 450.0 / 420.0 C: 428.6 ⇓ 1.58% | 430.74 | 439.0 / 426.4 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 272526 D: 131.1 ⇓ 0.61% | 131.68 | 133.5 / 120.0 C: 131.1 ⇓ 0.76% | 131.12 | 132.2 / 130.4 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 110000 D: 159.2 ⇓ 2.87% | 161.42 | 166.0 / 156.3 C: 157.6 ⇓ 3.84% | 158.77 | 161.0 / 157.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 156000 D: 84.80 ⇓ 1.28% | 85.57 | 88.80 / 84.00 C: 84.40 ⇓ 1.97% | 84.84 | 86.80 / 84.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 606500 D: 34.30 ⇓ 0.58% | 34.34 | 34.60 / 34.20 C: 34.40 ⇓ 0.58% | 34.39 | 34.60 / 34.20 MICEMENT | 4.14 | 40.00 | Vol. 194358 D: 93.20 ⇑ 0.11% | 92.95 | 93.50 / 85.00 C: 92.30 ⇑ 0.11% | 91.98 | 92.80 / 91.50 PREMIERCEM | 3.59 | 22.92 | Vol. 141200 D: 114.3 ⇓ 0.09% | 114.98 | 118.0 / 113.8 C: 115.4 ⇑ 0.70% | 115.18 | 116.9 / 114.1

BDCOM | 1.00 | 14.91 | Vol. 1455758 D: 26.60 ⇑ 3.50% | 26.33 | 27.00 / 24.80 C: 26.70 ⇑ 4.71% | 26.44 | 27.00 / 25.60 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 418000 D: 17.40 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.35 | 17.90 / 16.80 C: 17.50 ⇓ 3.85% | 17.35 | 18.00 / 16.80 AGNISYSL | 1.07 | 25.52 | Vol. 299018 D: 25.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.36 | 26.00 / 24.70 C: 25.40 ⇓ 1.93% | 25.19 | 25.70 / 24.80 DAFODILCOM | 1.12 | 11.14 | Vol. 758840 D: 19.90 ⇑ 0.51% | 19.63 | 20.10 / 18.00 C: 19.90 ⇑ 1.53% | 19.65 | 20.10 / 19.00 AAMRATECH | 1.17 | 20.44 | Vol. 811750 D: 40.30 ⇓ 0.98% | 40.52 | 41.40 / 37.00 C: 40.40 ⇓ 0.74% | 40.45 | 41.10 / 39.90 GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 54898 D: 29.20 ⇓ 1.35% | 29.35 | 30.00 / 29.00 C: 29.10 ⇓ 3.00% | 29.19 | 29.60 / 29.00 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 57682 D: 105.4 ⇓ 2.50% | 106.38 | 109.0 / 98.00 C: 105.0 ⇓ 3.85% | 104.47 | 105.0 / 102.5 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 21594 D: 46.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 46.08 | 47.40 / 42.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 41280 D: 26.90 ⇓ 0.37% | 26.96 | 27.30 / 24.80 C: 26.10 ⇓ 2.61% | 26.09 | 26.10 / 26.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 21742 D: 39.30 ⇓ 1.75% | 39.60 | 41.00 / 38.00 JANATAINS | 7.84 | 170.69 | Vol. 6340 D: 259.0 ⇓ 0.38% | 259.30 | 265.0 / 258.3 C: 267.8 ⇑ 1.44% | 267.84 | 268.0 / 267.5 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 49900 D: 40.50 ⇑ 0.50% | 40.56 | 41.10 / 38.00 C: 38.50 ⇓ 3.99% | 38.45 | 38.50 / 38.40 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 100400 D: 48.00 ⇓ 1.44% | 48.13 | 49.00 / 46.50 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 19447 D: 59.50 ⇓ 0.83% | 59.60 | 60.00 / 54.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 25243 D: 32.30 ⇑ 1.57% | 31.97 | 33.00 / 30.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 96462 D: 72.00 ⇓ 0.55% | 72.08 | 73.20 / 70.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 69292 D: 26.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 26.75 | 27.00 / 25.00 C: 26.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.50 | 26.40 / 26.40 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 25770 D: 26.70 ⇓ 1.11% | 26.63 | 27.40 / 26.30 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 41405 D: 29.30 ⇓ 0.68% | 29.39 | 30.30 / 26.80 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 5110 D: 34.70 ⇓ 1.42% | 34.83 | 36.00 / 32.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 36500 D: 28.90 ⇓ 1.03% | 28.99 | 30.40 / 28.80 C: 28.60 ⇑ 1.42% | 28.60 | 28.60 / 28.60 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 117820 D: 24.20 ⇓ 0.41% | 24.05 | 24.80 / 23.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 163212 D: 24.20 ⇓ 3.20% | 24.40 | 25.20 / 23.00 C: 24.10 ⇓ 7.66% | 23.70 | 24.10 / 23.50 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 89695 D: 26.40 ⇓ 1.86% | 26.37 | 28.00 / 25.00 C: 26.40 ⇓ 1.49% | 26.19 | 26.40 / 26.00 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 45188 D: 33.70 ⇓ 0.59% | 33.67 | 34.00 / 30.70 C: 33.00 ⇑ 1.23% | 32.93 | 33.00 / 32.50 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 49969 D: 38.90 ⇓ 6.49% | 39.53 | 41.00 / 38.50 C: 38.60 ⇓ 5.39% | 38.59 | 39.50 / 38.00 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 8147 D: 39.80 ⇓ 3.86% | 39.65 | 41.50 / 37.50 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 57662 D: 43.90 ⇓ 0.23% | 43.77 | 44.20 / 39.70 C: 44.10 ⇓ 1.56% | 44.10 | 44.10 / 44.10 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 80673 D: 51.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 51.41 | 52.00 / 49.20 C: 51.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 49.00 | 51.40 / 51.40 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 89158 D: 27.40 ⇓ 2.14% | 27.61 | 28.10 / 26.50 C: 27.60 ⇓ 2.47% | 27.60 | 28.00 / 27.00 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 10186 D: 31.40 ⇓ 1.88% | 31.43 | 32.20 / 29.00 C: 29.40 ⇓ 3.61% | 29.28 | 29.40 / 29.30

PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 41314 D: 27.70 ⇓ 4.15% | 28.03 | 29.10 / 27.10 C: 28.30 ⇑ 0.71% | 28.30 | 28.50 / 28.10 DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 57825 D: 40.20 ⇓ 0.74% | 39.86 | 40.80 / 36.50 C: 40.70 ⇓ 1.21% | 39.63 | 40.90 / 38.50 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 7038 D: 252.5 ⇓ 0.55% | 252.71 | 253.2 / 249.0 C: 233.1 ⇓ 5.63% | 233.08 | 240.0 / 230.1 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 9200 D: 6036 ⇑ 0.85% | 6092 | 6195 / 5950 C: 6005 ⇑ 0.08% | 6005 | 6010 / 6000 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 45756 D: 71.20 ⇓ 0.14% | 71.08 | 71.80 / 70.00 C: 70.30 ⇓ 1.13% | 70.84 | 72.00 / 70.10 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 11505 D: 166.7 ⇑ 0.48% | 166.70 | 175.0 / 166.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 85044 D: 96.70 ⇓ 0.72% | 97.14 | 97.80 / 90.00 C: 99.00 ⇑ 1.96% | 98.50 | 99.90 / 100.0 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 26650 D: 104.4 ⇓ 1.42% | 104.68 | 106.7 / 104.1 C: 103.5 ⇓ 1.43% | 103.51 | 105.0 / 103.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 5569 D: 97.10 ⇓ 3.77% | 97.14 | 100.9 / 96.00 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 26500 D: 123.0 ⇑ 6.40% | 122.08 | 125.0 / 117.0 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 26660 D: 98.50 ⇑ 1.03% | 97.65 | 100.0 / 90.00 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 36000 D: 59.70 ⇑ 0.34% | 59.62 | 60.30 / 59.00 C: 59.80 ⇓ 0.99% | 59.98 | 60.60 / 59.50 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 105675 D: 54.70 ⇓ 0.91% | 54.94 | 56.00 / 50.20 C: 55.00 ⇓ 0.90% | 55.01 | 55.80 / 54.30 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 448301 D: 195.1 ⇑ 0.10% | 195.43 | 197.5 / 190.0 C: 194.7 ⇑ 0.10% | 194.98 | 197.8 / 194.0 BSCCL | 6.69 | 30.34 | Vol. 722960 D: 260.2 ⇓ 1.36% | 262.52 | 269.0 / 241.0 C: 258.5 ⇓ 1.56% | 261.55 | 267.0 / 257.1 Travel & Leisure UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 9354992 D: 19.40 ⇓ 1.52% | 19.43 | 20.20 / 18.00 C: 19.40 ⇓ 2.02% | 19.50 | 20.00 / 19.20 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 495540 D: 88.50 ⇑ 0.11% | 88.99 | 90.30 / 79.60 C: 88.20 ⇑ 0.34% | 88.49 | 89.80 / 87.80 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 31200 D: 321.5 ⇓ 5.44% | 326.81 | 349.9 / 312.0 C: 328.4 ⇓ 8.52% | 328.80 | 330.0 / 327.6 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 283205 D: 605.0 ⇑ 1.55% | 611.52 | 627.0 / 595.0 C: 602.5 ⇑ 1.21% | 609.00 | 629.0 / 595.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 136432 D: 164.3 ⇓ 0.18% | 164.38 | 170.0 / 162.1 C: 163.5 ⇓ 0.67% | 163.95 | 170.0 / 162.5 USMANIAGL | 0.50 | 26.03 | Vol. 139229 D: 172.2 ⇓ 3.58% | 175.15 | 193.0 / 170.0 C: 173.1 ⇓ 2.92% | 176.93 | 182.0 / 172.0 SAVAREFR | 0.23 | 12.32 | Vol. 7650 D: 94.90 ⇓ 9.79% | 98.17 | 105.2 / 94.70 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 910786 D: 32.60 ⇓ 1.21% | 32.68 | 35.00 / 29.70 C: 32.60 ⇓ 1.21% | 32.69 | 33.30 / 32.40 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 337000 D: 23.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.75 | 24.70 / 23.10 C: 23.80 ⇓ 2.06% | 23.75 | 24.00 / 23.30 MIRACLEIND | 0.14 | 14.90 | Vol. 627050 D: 18.90 ⇓ 4.55% | 18.16 | 19.60 / 17.90 C: 18.90 ⇓ 5.03% | 18.33 | 19.40 / 18.00 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 315 D: 955.0 ⇑ 0.08% | 954.55 | 957.0 / 955.0 C: 954.0 ⇑ 0.69% | 953.95 | 955.0 / 948.0 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 3364 D: 870.0 ⇑ 1.16% | 869.80 | 875.0 / 865.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

friday, september 20, 2013

World Bank political risk arm looks to back equity investors

n Reuters, Washington

A shopper passing by the entrance gate of a Bank of America’s branch in New York

Reuters

Time to taper? Not if you look at bank loans n Reuters The US Federal Reserve decided to hold off on scaling back its bond-buying program on Wednesday, and at least one reason for its choice may have been a stubbornly weak economic indicator: bank lending.

Since the bottom of the recession just over four years ago, commercial bank loans and leases have grown 4%, one of the weakest post-recession recoveries in terms of borrowing since the 1960s, according to Paul Kasriel, the former chief economist of Northern Trust Company. For comparison, over the same period after the July 1990-March 1991 recession, loans and leases grew over four times faster.

“Given what’s happening to bank credit and given that the economy isn’t booming, I would say it was very wise that the Fed did not choose to cut back on its asset purchases at this point,” Kasriel said in an interview.

In recent weeks, residential mortgage lending has dropped and commercial lending growth has slowed as Fed officials have talked about starting to wind down their bond buying stimulus program. That talk of “tapering” spooked bond markets, lifting long-term borrowing costs.

The Fed noted in its statement that mortgage rates have risen, and added that “the tightening of financial conditions observed in recent months, if sustained, could slow the pace of improvement in the economy and labour market.”

The central bank’s statement underscores the narrow line the Fed must walk now between preventing asset bubbles and nurturing an economic recovery. As the Fed slows down its pace of bond buying in a program known as “Quantitative Easing III,” it will cool markets that may be overheated.

But it also risks making credit harder to come by, which could hurt a recovery that by many metrics looks tepid.

Banks say they are more than happy to lend now, and that the real problem is that customers are less interested in borrowing.

“The need for additional capital from the banking system isn’t really there,” said Perry Pylos, the head of commercial banking at Wells Fargo, about why corporations have not been drawing down their bank credit lines.

A commercial lending executive at a large regional bank said, “we see more risk aversion today than we did three, four, five years ago.”

‘Adding more liquidity to a very liquid banking system doesn’t do anything, so removing it doesn’t do anything either’ That risk aversion stems from doubt about future economic growth, and from big companies having other options for borrowing, most notably bond markets, bank executives and economists said. “Corporations have great balance sheets and just don’t trust the economic recovery,” said Ethan Harris, the co-head of global economics research at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.

The commercial loans that are being extended are going towards replacing wornout equipment rather expanding production, said John Asbury, the head of Regions Financial Corp’s business services group, at a conference hosted by Barclays Capital last week in New York.

One of the areas hardest hit by these changes is mortgage lending. The 30-year home loan rate is now at its highest level since at least 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. With rising rates, applications to refinance mortgages fell in

early September to their lowest levels since November 2008.

“Mortgage is a challenge now,” said BB&T Corporation chief executive Kelly King at the Barclays conference.

To be sure, some bankers believe that the Fed’s quantitative easing has done little to help them, and its ending will have little impact on them. In fact, while the Fed has pumped about $2.8tn into the financial system through nearly five years of asset buying.

Bank excess reserves deposited with the New York Fed have mushroomed from less than $2bn before the financial crisis to $2.17tn yesterday. In essence, roughly twothirds of the money the Fed pumped into the banking system never left the building.

“Adding more liquidity to a very liquid banking system doesn’t do anything, so removing it doesn’t do anything either,” Wells Fargo’s Pylos said.

Nevertheless, the Fed may slow down its bond buying efforts amid a lukewarm economic recovery. US unemployment fell to a 4-1/2 year low in August of 7.3%, but much of that is because fewer Americans are looking for work. The labour force participation rate, a measure of how many working-age American have a job or are seeking one, reached its lowest level since 1978.

There are other signs of weakness, including the fact that consumer spending, new home sales, and durable goods orders all weakened in July.

The weak loan growth at banks looks even starker when compared to the money that banks have received in deposits, a measure of how much money banks could be lending.

The eight largest U.S. banks by assets lent out 81.4% of the deposits they held in the second quarter of 2013, according to data compiled

by Credit Suisse. l

The World Bank’s political risk insurance arm wants to bring in more private equity investors, particularly those who focus on companies that can bring skills and create jobs in the developing world, the new head of the agency said.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, or MIGA, is at the forefront of changes happening at the World Bank as a whole, as the bank seeks to leverage more private capital to fight poverty amid falling government budgets.

MIGA, was founded 25 years ago to promote foreign direct investment into emerging markets by protecting private investors from various forms of political risk, such as war and sovereign default.

Its traditional clients have been big banks focused on project finance, like large infrastructure and industrial projects.

Keiko Honda, who became MIGA’s executive vice president two months ago, sees untapped potential among equity investors that want to expand into frontier markets but may be wary of political risk issues.

MIGA’s own surveys point to political risk as the biggest medium-term constraint for investment into the developing world.

“Equity investors are more fragmented,” Honda said in an interview, adding such companies may not have heard of MIGA. “A lot of companies are considering going into developing countries, and those are the companies that actually can transfer skills or create jobs, and also provide goods that can upgrade the life of the people living there.”

Honda said consumer goods companies, retailers and manufacturing firms would be most welcome for the expertise they can bring.

“One thing I aspire to do is (ensure) MIGA is going to be well-known,” she said.

With only 130 employees, MIGA is one of the smallest institutions within the World Bank, in contrast to more than 10,000 people working for the main World Bank unit and over 3,000 people at the International Finance Corporation, the bank’s private sector lending arm.

MIGA’s bid for expansion may be coming at a particularly good time. Capital flows data show investors in search of higher yields are turning to risky frontier markets like Ivory Coast and Pakistan. With their relative isolation, these markets are also less correlated to the volatile flows that have hit emerging markets due to fears of tighter US monetary policy.

Frontier equity funds pulled in a net $1.4bn in the six months to June, more than a third of total assets under management, according to data from Lipper. l