November 19, 2013

TMAG

Winter is coming

Agrahayan 5, 1420 Muharram 14, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 235

Long Form

5

The economic and development records of both parties

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Sport

15

France, Portugal face night of nerves

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BNP may seek president’s intervention Khaleda meets Hamid today n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The confused political situation may take a new twist today when Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia meets President Abdul Hamid to discuss the latest developments and try to work out a way through the impasse.

The BNP chairperson moved to seek an appointment with the president less than an hour after eight new ministers had been sworn in at the Bangabhaban yesterday afternoon.

The president agreed a meet time of 6:30pm today, officials at the BNP chairperson’s office and the presidential palace confirmed.

The president is a good human being. If he administers the election then the party may participate in the elections The sudden move by the BNP chief came as a surprise to some front-ranking leaders, while many in the hierarchy expressed their ignorance about what Khaleda Zia might discuss at the meeting with President Hamid.

Some of the central leaders, however, guessed that the BNP chairperson might request the president to head the polls-time government.

At least five Standing Committee members, four advisers and three vice-chairmen contacted by the Dhaka Tribune yesterday evening said they had no idea about the chairperson even seeking the president’s appointment, never mind the issues she might raise.

However, Vice-Chairman of the party Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told

the Dhaka Tribune: “We sought the appointment with the president.”

Monjur Hossain, secretary to the President’s Secretariat, said last evening: “I have heard that the President has granted them time for a meeting.”

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda would lead a 20-member delegation of the 18-party alliance in the talks with the president.

“I have just heard the news from you…How can I say who will accompany Khaleda Zia during her visit?” a Standing Committee member of the party told the Dhaka Tribune, seeking anonymity.

Another Standing Committee member said he did not know who had advised Khaleda to seek appointment of the president. “I was decided to go to the chairperson’s office but now I will not go as madam [Khaleda] did not make the decision in consultation with the party’s senior leaders. If madam calls me, only then I will go, otherwise not,” he said.

Party insiders say the BNP chief might tell the president that they would accept anyone non-partisan as the chief of the polls-time government, excepting the incumbent prime minister. “The president is a good human being. If he administers the election, the party may participate in the elections,” a leader said.

The leaders believe before going for non-stop hartal and blockade programmes, the party wants to inform the president about the latest political situation and the party’s stances, too.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad talk to each other at the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban yesterday

Polls-time interim cabinet taking shape n Mohosinul Karim The new ministers and state ministers who took oath yesterday and the newly appointed adviser to the prime minister will get their portfolios today.

The Cabinet Division will issue an order distributing the portfolios of the new ministers and advisers, while the offices of the existing ministers who will continue with the polls-time government would be reshuffled.

Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan confirmed details to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday evening while leaving his Secretariat office for Ganabhaban to meet with the premier.

He said the prime minister had also

Biswal prescribes urgent dialogue n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman US Assistant Secretary Nisha Biswal has urged the two major political parties to engage in a dialogue immediately to resolve the ongoing crisis over the arrangement of holding general elections.

“The announcement of interim cabinet simply underscores the urgency for a dialogue to take place immediately to determine the way forward for peaceful, free, fair and credible election to take place,” she said in reply to a question at a press conference at the American Club yesterday.

Nisha arrived in the city on Saturday on a crucial three-day trip before being ceremonially sworn-in as the US assistant secretary.

“This is a very very critical time and frankly, that’s why I made it such a priority to get here even before I had been able to get my ceremonial swearing in done.”

'If acceptable to Bangladeshi people [then] it would be acceptable to the international community [as well]'

During the visit, she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaldea Zia, Nobel Laureat Dr Muhammad Yunus, ministers and members of the civil society.

She flew back to Washington last night and would have her swearing-in on Thursday.

“I have called upon the leaders of both the major political parties to empower their lieutenants. So that they can undertake a constructive dialogue

to find a way forward to hold a free, fair and credible election - credible in the eyes of the Bangladeshi people,” said Biswal, responsible for South and Central Asian Affairs of the USA. “We are hopeful that such a dialogue can and will take place.”

Whether an election without the participation of the main opposition party would be acceptable, the US official shot a counter question: “Will it be acceptable to Bangladeshi people?

“If it is acceptable to Bangladeshi people [then] it would be acceptable to the international community [as well],” she said.

“I have reason to have hope. We are pushing for a dialogue that allows the major political parties to come together around a process. That’s where I want us to focus our efforts and our attention.”

Biswal said: “I have made clear of  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

EC meets president today to seek advice on polls date

Two RMG workers killed in clash with lawmen

The Election Commission has decided to propose three possible dates to President Abdul Hamid for holding the next parliamentary polls and seek his advice on announcing the polls schedule.

The commission will also request the president to deploy armed forces to maintain law and order.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, election commissioners Mohammad Abu Hafiz, Abdul Mobarak and Md Shah Newaz and EC Secretary Muhammed Sadique would meet the president at 4pm today. Election Commissioner Zabed Ali will not be on the team as he is abroad.

Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz said the EC would inform the

n Tribune Report

n Mohammad Zakaria

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Two garment workers were killed and 50 others were injured in a fierce clash with lawmen in Kashimpur Industrial Zone of Gazipur yesterday.

The dead are Badsha Mia, 26, who hailed from Faridpur and worked in GMS Composite Knitting, and Ruma, 22, of the same factory.

The workers of the garment factory staged a demonstration and rampaged through the workplace demanding arrest of an official who allegedly assaulted a female worker.

Later, they staged another protest outside the factory and blocked the road.

At one stage of demonstration, the

workers were locked into a clash with police as the lawmen tried to remove them from the street.

Nazrul Islam, inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police, said police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and charged baton at the workers to bring the situation under control.

The police action left at least 100 garment workers injured.

Of them, 25 received bullet wound and six of the wounded had been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and nine in Enam Medical College at Savar.

Of the critically injured, Badsha Mia succumbed to his injury at the Enam Medical College, said Zahidul Islam,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

made a decision on the resignation letters of the outgoing ministers. The resignation papers of those who would not continue with the polls-time government would be accepted.

P2 MORE STORIES The Cabinet Division will issue another order today, vacating the posts of those ministers whose resignation papers would be accepted by the president.

Asked how many ministers of the existing cabinet would continue in the polls-time government, the cabinet secretary said: “It is up to the prime minister. She alone knows who would

INSIDE Business

B1 Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was not able to collect more than Tk26.11bn outstanding revenue as of June from different telecom service operators.

B2 Malaysia yesterday assured it would look after the Bangladeshi workers so they do not face adverse situation there.

News

3 An agreement for construction of the mass rapid transit (MRT), also known as metro rail, is set to be signed today with the Japanese infrastructure firm ignoring a faked experience certificate attached to the curriculum vitae of a key project engineer.

Nation

7 Locals staged a demonstration at the Gabindaganj upazila in Gaibandha yesterday; demanding exemplary punishment of a doctor who they said provided ‘wrong treatment’ to a housewife.

International

9 Australian spy agencies attempted to listen to the phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and targeted his wife and senior ministers.

Entertainment

12 Jonakir Alo, a film by director-artist Khalid Ma hmud Mithu is participating in four international film festivals: the Tribeca Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and Jaipur Film Festival.

continue. She has already made the decision on it. I am going to Ganabhaban to know if there is any directive for us.

However, the order will be issued tomorrow [today].”

Earlier, two senior Awami League leaders, sidelined since the party came to power following a landslide victory in 2008 elections, have been sworn in as ministers to join six others to form an interim cabinet to set the stage for a credible election.

Awami League Advisory Council Members Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu were the two party veterans who together with six leaders from key allies Jatiya Party and Workers Party  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

BSS

Ershad urges BNP to join polls-time cabinet n Manik Miazee

Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad has again changed his mind – for the second time in two days – and announced his intention to participate in the election, urging the BNP to take part in the pollstime cabinet.

The former military dictator yesterday officially announced quitting the Awami League-led ruling alliance.

On November 16, Ershad had told his party’s youth front Jatiya Jubo Sanghati that the nation would call  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Jatiya Party to start distributing nomination forms tomorrow n Tribune Report

Court to hear bail petition of 5 BNP leaders on Thursday

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

The hearing of bail pleas by five BNP leaders who were detained in the capital on November 8 will be held on Thursday.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jahrul Haque fixed the date yesterday after defence lawyer Sanaullah Miah filed petitions on behalf of his clients, seeking bail in two separate cases.

The detained opposition leaders include BNP standing committee members Moudud Ahmed, MK Anwar and Rafiqul Islam Miah, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo, and her special assistant Shimul Biswas.

On the evening of November 8, Moudud, Anwar and Rafiqul were picked up in front of Hotel Sonargaon, while Mintoo and Shimul were arrested outside Khaleda’s Gulshan residence a few hours later.

The detained leaders were later shown arrested in two cases of vandalism, arson and attacking police in the capital during opposition-called hartals. The cases were filed with Motijheel police station on November 5 and September 24.

On November 9, a Dhaka court placed the five detainees on eight days’ remand after police produced them before the court.

On Sunday, the High Court stayed the lower court’s remand order and directed the authorities to send the suspects to jail immediately.

One of the detainees, Shimul Biswas, is now in Dhaka Central Jail, while four others are at Kashimpur jail in Gazipur, said lawyer Tahirul Islam Touhid, an associate of Moudud. l

Gold shop looted in city n Tribune Desk

Robbers looted gold and silver ornaments from a jewellery shop in the city’s Tantibazar area yesterday.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station Shah Alam said a group of bandits, numbering 3-4, stormed into “Mandira Boliya Store” at 34/1 Kotwali Road around 2pm after creating panic by exploding several crude bombs, reports UNB. Later, the gangsters looted gold and silver ornaments from the shop and made away with the booty, the OC quoted employees of the jewellery shop as saying. No case was filed as of filing this report in the evening. l

Bangladeshi ‘dies’ at sea on way to Malaysia n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar A Bangladeshi recently died at sea while travelling to Malaysia illegally from Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar.

Afaz Uddin, son of Zamir Ahmed from Sonaichhari village of Ukhia, died on November 12 at a nearby coast of Thailand sea. Zamir said his son had left home 22 days ago with an intention to reach Malaysia.

“Local brokers enticed my son and headed along with other people to Malaysia on a fishing boat with other 30-35 people. They transferred all of them to a larger trawler. He died suspiciously a day after,” he said. Shafi Alam, a fellow voyager of Afaz, confirmed the matter, saying Afaz had died on November 12 and his body was dumped in the sea. l

President Abdul Hamid, far right, is administering newly appointed six ministers’ oath at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban yesterday

Handful of ministers attend dull JS session n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The Jatiya Sangsad saw a dull day yesterday with only a handful of cabinet members, who had sent letters to the prime minister six days ago expressing their “intent” to resign, attending what could be the last parliament session that resumed after a 10-day recess.

The sitting – about an hour before which eight new members of the interim cabinet took oath – looked devoid of its usual look because of the absence of opposition lawmakers and a good number of ruling party MPs. The sitting started at 4:48pm – 18 minutes behind schedule – since there

him a traitor if the party took part in an election not participated by all parties, including the BNP. The former military ruler, however, refrained from commenting on a separate alliance he had spoken of earlier.

“The prime minister has taken a step forward. Now, I am urging the BNP to come forward and take part in the all-party polls-time government,” Ershad told a press briefing before six of his party colleagues took the oath as ministers.

Briefing the media at his Banani office, he asserted that he would participate in the polls “to get to power,” not to put anyone else in power.

Meanwhile, a number of Jatiya Party leaders said those who had been eloquent about quitting the ruling alliance and joining the anti-government movement led by the BNP had gone to the side line following Ershad’s announcement of his wish to participate in the polls-time cabinet and the elections.

When asked why he was not seen among those who took oath yesterday, party’s Presidium member Kazi Firoze Rashid said: “I am blessed by not being among them.”

Kazi Zafar Ahmed, another Presidium member who has been in a hospital for

were not enough members at the Chamber on time.

Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Rahmat Ali, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain and Fazle Rabbi Miah were seen at the front row. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was not there either.

Matia Chowdhury, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Meher Afroz Chumki were the ministers, who turned up in time.

Gradually though, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Nurul Islam Nahid, Sahara Khatun, Faruk Khan, Rezaul Karim Hira, Abdul Mannan Khan, Omor Faruk Chowdhury, Obaidul Quader, Mazibul Haque

and Abul Maal Abdul Muhith entered the chamber before the House started its business.

Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu, who took oath as members of the interim cabinet, were congratulated by the other MPS. Suranjit Sengupta, the maiden minister without portfolio, and newly sworn-in ministers Rashed Khan Menon, Ruhul Amin Howlader and Mujibul Haque joined the House after the evening prayers.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who presided over the sitting, tabled the scripts of the questions for the ministers.

Telecom Minister Sahara Khatun tabled the 2013-14 annual report of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

Monday’s sitting saw three new bills – the Comilla University (amendment) Bill 2013, Barisal University (amendment) Bill 2013 and the Enrichment of Vitamin A in Edible Oil Bill 2013. The first two were sent to the parliamentary standing committee on education ministry.

According to the parliamentary rules, the House cannot pass the three laws sans the recommendation of the watchdog having representation of all major political parties.

The bill on vitamin A enrichment, if

passed, would force the producers and businessmen to produce, market and sell edible oil containing vitamin A. The House also enacted the Travel Agents (registration and control) Bill 2013 as Civil Aviation Minister Faruk Khan proposed its passage.

Suranjit Sengupta, chief whip Abdus Shahid, Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal, Fazlul Azim and Fazle Rabbi Miah spoke in unscheduled discussion.

The Speaker adjourned the House until 4:30pm today.

Chief Whip Abdus Shahid told the Dhaka Tribune that the prime minister had expressed desires to prorogue the House on Wednesday. l

EC meets president

BNP may seek president’s intervention

Biswal

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president of their overall preparation for the elections. They would also discuss the law and order situation and request the president to deploy army after the announcement of the polls schedule.

On announcing the schedule, he said the full commission would make the final decision on the matter as per the advice of president.

An official told the Dhaka Tribune, seeking anonymity, that the commission had prepared a file on its overall preparations, including the proposal of three possible election dates, to present to the president at the meeting.

The EC would also present the circulars of army deployment in the past four parliamentary polls and a report on the general election held on February 15, 1996. EC officials said the commissioners would examine the situation and statistics of previous elections, mainly the dates of elections and announcement of polls schedule, and also information on deployment of army.

The commission will inform the president of the possible polling centres and 10 cases regarding the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

According to the constitution, the next parliamentary elections must be held within January 24. l

Ershad urges BNP to join polls-time  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

BSS

Jatiya Party President HM Ershad yesterday formed a high-powered committee to oversee the selection of candidates for the upcoming general elections, a press note said.

Ershad himself will head the eight-member committee while its other constituents are Senior Presidium Member Rowshan Ershad, Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Presidium Members Kazi Zafar Ahmed, GM Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud, MS Sattar and Mojibur Rahman Chunnu.

The party will distribute nomination forms from November 20 to 25, with aspiring candidates able to collect one for Tk20,000.

The completed forms should be submitted to the party’s chairman office in Banani by 26 November, while interviews of the candidates will be held between November 27 and 30.

Ershad will announce the party’s election manifesto on December 1, the press note said. l

three days, told the Dhaka Tribune that he would clear his position after talking to the party chairman in a couple of days.

Ershad said: “With the ongoing political turmoil, the country is heading towards a civil war and there is no alternative to shifting power through an election,” the former president said, adding that he would participate in the polls “to help the country.”

He, however, also warned of boycotting the elections if the government wanted to “rig” polls. “We want everyone to participate in the polls.”

Ershad alleged that the two main political parties – the Awami League and the BNP – were controlling the country over their disparity and the fight for power. He blamed the two parties for the existing political crisis centring the pollstime government. “We do not want this.”

All parties should participate in the polls to maintain the democratic way of shifting power, he said, calling upon the BNP to sit in a dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Asked about the caretaker government system, he said: “I do not like the caretaker government. They all have been unkind to me…A fair and free election can be held without a caretaker government.” l

“The president is the last resort.

The government is moving towards a lopsided election. So, madam [Khaleda] might inform him of the latest political situation of the country and at the same time the party stances, too,” Mahbubur Rahman, a Standing Committee member of the party, said.

A BNP leader told the Dhaka Tribune that most of them did not think the outcome of the meeting with the president would be anything big but “we are still meeting him to send the message that the party has tried even at the utmost level” to resolve the crisis.

The leader said if there was no real possibility of a dialogue, the party would go for tougher programmes

such as continuous blockade after its demonstration on Friday.

It would be Khaleda Zia’s first meeting with President Abdul Hamid after he assumed the office on April 24.

Earlier on January 11, 2012, Khaleda met the then president Zillur Rahman and requested him to restore the pollstime non-party caretaker government system to the constitution before discussing the issue of reconstituting the Election Commission.

The oath-taking of new ministers during the US Assistant Secretary Nisha Desai Biswal’s visit to Bangladesh irked the main opposition’s rank and file members, who also vented their frustration even after new ministers were sworn in.

The mid-ranking and grassroots do

not know what the party is doing; even many of the Standing Committee members do not know about the party’s next course of action.

A senior leader said he was “in the dark” about the party’s next course of action.

“I have received phone calls from my constituency since Sunday night over the next course of action. As I am in the dark I failed to give them any directive further,” he said.

The grassroots, who consider Khaleda Zia as an “uncompromising” leader, expressed grievances against the senior leaders’ silence, saying they would not face any problem if the incumbent government assumed office for the next five years but the situation would be worse at the grassroots. l

Polls-time interim cabinet taking shape  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

handpicked by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to give shape to the election time cabinet, being dubbed as ‘all-party’ government.

President Abdul Hamid administered the oath to six ministers and two state ministers inside Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the afternoon. Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the oath taking ceremony.

Of the ministers, two are from Awami League, five from Jatiya and one from Workers Party.

Jatiya Party Presidium Member Ziauddin Bablu was made adviser with the status of a minister.

Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain said Bablu had been selected as a minister of the polls-time government earlier, but the premier had changed her decision later and made him her adviser as he was not an MP. “Earlier, the prime minister expressed her stance that only members of parliament would be ministers in the polls-time government. If Bablu becomes a minister, she has to change her stance,” he said.

The new ministers are – Awami League Advisory Council Members Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Party Presidium Members Rawshan Ershad and Anisul Islam Mahmud and Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar.

Jatiya Party Presidium Members Mojibul Haque Chunnu and Salma Islam were sworn in as state ministers.

President Abdul Hamid entered the Darbar Hall along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and started adminis-

tering the oath at 3:05pm. The brief 17-minute ceremony ended at 3:22pm with all the six ministers and state ministers signing the oaths.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, Deputy Leader of parliament Sajeda Chowdhury, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury, Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Information and Communication Technology Minister Mostafa Faruque Mohammad were among the existing cabinet members who attended the ceremony.

Portfolios of the new ministers and state ministers have not yet distributed. The prime minister will shorten the existing cabinet and reshuffle portfolios of the existing cabinet members whom she will ask to continue until the next elections, Cabinet Division sources said.

Taking the oath as a new minister in the interim cabinet, Tofail Ahmed said the polls-time ministers are not as ‘powerful’ as regular cabinet members and they will just perform the routine works of the ministries concerned.

“The prime focus of the polls-time ministers will be holding a free, fair and acceptable election and providing the Election Commission with all supports it needs to hold the election. We had to take some challenges like this earlier and we succeeded. And we believe we will be successful again,” the senior Awami League leader told waiting reporters at the Bangabahaban.

The next general election will be free, fair and acceptable to all, he asserted.

Asked whether the election-time government will take initiative to bring the main opposition BNP into upcom-

ing parliamentary election, Tofail told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have already taken initiatives. They should participate in the election for their own and country’s interest. There is no option but to participate in the election.”

“BNP still has the scope to join the polls-time government,” he added.

Urging the opposition to participate in the dialogue and next polls, Amir Hossain Amu said, “We want to hold an election participated by all political parties. We want them to join the dialogue as we can do everything in consensus.”

Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon said holding a free, fair and acceptable election will be the main challenge of the polls-time government.

The minister also said that the invitation to the BNP for joining dialogue is still valid. “They may join dialogue and polls-time government to ensure a free and fair election.”

JP Presidium Member Anisul Islam Mahmud said the main task of the polls-time government will be to assist the Election Commission.

He said the government has already invited BNP to join dialogue and pollstime government and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has also urged BNP to participate in the election.

“There is no scope anymore to invite them again. The present political crisis will be solved if the election is held in due time. Otherwise lives of more innocent people will be lost.”

Newly inducted minister ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar of Jatiya Party said the interim government will try to reach a consensus among major political parties for holding a free and fair election. l

America’s strong conviction that violence of any kind by any of the participants in the political process is not part of the democratic process and it cannot be tolerated and must stop immediately.”

Asked about reported US-India divergent views over Bangladesh, she said: “I am not aware of any difference.”

She made it clear that Washington was not going to influence the political process.

“We are not invested in any particular outcome but we strongly support the democratic process that leads to peaceful, free, fair and credible election.”

Nisha admitted that Washington had discussed Bangladesh with New Delhi along with other members of the international community.

“We certainly discussed with them a range of bilateral issues but we also discussed with them our desire, our support and our conviction on democratic process and our interest in supporting that democratic process.”

Fundamentally, Washington would like to see peaceful, free, fair and credible election and it would work with the United Nations and the international community for that to take place, she said. l

RMG workers killed  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

director, public relations of the hospital.

Police recovered the body of Ruma while her co-workers were staging demonstration with it, said Saiful Islam, sub-inspector and in-charge of Chakarabarti police camp.

Konabari garment factory owners have decided to run factory based on the situation as there is no instruction from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Konarari zone.

There is no collective decision on running the factory amid labour unrest and factory owners at Konabari would take the decision based on the situation, said BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim.

The owners held a meeting to decide whether to run or keep the factory shut, but the meeting ended without any result.

Reaz Bin Mahmood, vice-president of apex apparel maker trade body, said the factory owners of Tongi, Gazipur, Ashulia, Savar and Konabari witnessed severe vandalism by the unruly workers.

Around 200 factories were closed yesterday because of labour unrest, added Reaz Bin Mahmood. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Metro rail deal to be signed today

KHALAF KILLING VERDICT

High Court acquits 1, lessens punishment of 3

CV fabricated by a project engineer to qualify for the job: Official two infrastructure projects at the same pointing MRT construction consultant pon Koei for construction of metro rail n Asif Showkat Kallol n Nazmus Sakib got approved by the purchase commit- today. position as required for the job.

An agreement for construction of the mass rapid transit (MRT), also known as metro rail, is set to be signed today with the Japanese infrastructure firm ignoring a faked experience certificate attached to the curriculum vitae of a key project engineer.

The fabrication in the CV of Deputy Team Leader Engr Q A Fida was detected five months before the cabinet committee on public purchase on November 5 approved the communication ministry’s proposal to award the consultancy job of the Tk220b metro rail project to Nippon Koei, a senior official at communication ministry said.

Official documents exchanged among various government ministries and departments show the deputy team leader selected for the project did not have prior experience of working in

Responding to a query from the Prime Minister’s Office, the local government ministry informed on June 12 that Engr Q A Fida’s claim that he had worked as deputy team leader or deputy project manager on behalf of the Development Construction Ltd for the construction of Khilgaon Flyover between November 2002 and January 2005 was not correct.

Md Jasim Uddin, Project Director of Khilgaon Flyover project, said, “After scrutinising the documents and CV authentication of Engr Q A Fida, it is understood that he was not involved in any activities of construction of Khilgaon Flyover project.”

But the Roads and Highways Division of the communication ministry did not take the matter into consideration. As a result the proposal of ap-

tee on November 5 without question, ministry officials said.

A consortium of six local and international firms, led by Nippon Koei Construction Company of Japan, has got the Tk9.5 billion consultancy work for the metro rail project. It comprises Nippon Koei India, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation India, Mott MacDonald UK and Mott MacDonald India and Bangladeshi company Development Design Consultant.

As per the proposal, the lead member of consortium Nippon Koei Company Ltd obtained 86.49% marks in the technical evaluation of the bids followed by Oriental consultants company of Japan scoring 85.25% and Systra SA of France 79.84%.

The R&H division is likely to sign the consultancy agreement with Nip-

3

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

After the approval of the consultancy job, Finance Minister AMA Muhith on November 5 said, “Work on the metro rail project will start one year ahead of earlier schedule as the Japan International Cooperation Agency wants to disburse Tk 400m next year.” He hoped it would be completed in four years.

The key financer of the project, Jica, offered to divert the amount it had pledged for the Padma bridge project to the metro rail scheme, officials said.

The metro rail will run from Uttara Third Phase to Motijheel via Pallabi, Rokeya Sarani, Khamar Bari, Farmgate, Hotel Sonargaon, Shahbagh, Doyel Chattar and Topkhana Road.

Later, the tracks will be extended up to Sayedabad from Motijheel via Atish Dipankar Road. l

The High Court yesterday upheld the death sentence of Saiful Islam alias Mamun for shooting Khalaf Al Ali, 45, an employee of Saudi Arabian Embassy in Dhaka that caused his death.

The court, however, acquitted fugitive Selim Chowdhury, and meted out life imprisonment to Akbar Ali Lalu, Rafiqul Islam Khokon and Md Al Amin – all of whom had been given death penalty by a Speedy Trial Tribunal. Except for Selim, the four other convicts are now in jail.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo announced the verdict upon appeals by the convicts and the trial court’s death reference.

Khabir Uddin Bhuyian and Aminur Rashid, counsels of the convicts, said they would challenge the judgement in

the Appellate Division.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said appeals would be filed seeking death sentence of all five.

On March 5 last year, Khalaf was shot in Gulshan diplomatic area. He died the following day in hospital. The police on March 7 registered a murder case in this regard.

On December 30 last year, the speedy trial tribunal sentenced the five to death. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, death sentence given by a lower court cannot be executed unless it is confirmed by the High Court.

The case was referred to the High Court while all the convicts except Selim lodged appeals against the punishment.

The proceeding of the Khalaf murder case concluded on November 3.

The bench started pronouncing the verdict from Thursday though the date was fixed for November 10. l

Policeman’s wife held for ‘killing’ housemaid n Kailash Sarkar

Locals of Mirpur area throw bricks at police vehicles as the law enforcers take away the body of a housemaid allegedly killed by the wife of a police officer yesterday

JCD general secretary on one-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday put Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Habibur Rashid Habib on a one-day remand in a case filed for committing violence and obstructing police on duty.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Keshab Roy Chowdhury passed the order after investigating officer Fazlur Rahman produced the accused in court with a 10-day remand prayer.

The court granted one day’s remand and also rejected the bail prayer of the defence.

The case was filed after a clash on March 2 between BNP activists and police officials in front of Mouchak Market in the capital, in which a vehicle was torched and crude bombs exploded.

The following day, Sub-inspector Ashfuq Gazi Ahasan filed the case bringing charges against 1,200 BNP leaders and activists for alleged acts of arson, assaulting police officials, obstructing them in the execution of their duties, and possessing explosives.

Others accused in the case include BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal President Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Jatyotabadi Shecchashebok Dal President HabibUn- Nabi khan Sohel and its General Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu.

The DB picked up Habibur Rashid Habib from Shantinagar on Sunday afternoon. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Eighth witness testifies 18-party announces countrywide against Yusuf demonstrations for Friday n Udisa Islam A prosecution witness yesterday claimed that war crimes accused AKM Yusuf had killed 100,000 unarmed civilians in Khulna district during the 1971 Liberation War. In his deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal 2, eighth witness MA Khaleque described about the killing, deportation and forcefully religious conversion that Yusuf had ordered at that time.

After his deposition, defence counsel Saifur Rahman cross examined him which was remained unfinished. The tribunal set tomorrow for further proceedings.

The witness said as a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and founder of razakar force, Yusuf had trained the collaborators with the help of Pakistani occupation army and local Ansar commander.

The witness said he had been an SSC examinee during the war. After March 26, a student resistance committee had been founded and they started taking preparation to take part in the Liberation War. “On April 25, I saw AKM Yusuf addressing at our school when he said people aged 16 to 60 should have Dandy card [ID card], otherwise they will be killed. Yusuf also said the Awami League supporters, Hindus and freedom fighters were enemies of Pakistan.

He also incited arson attacks on the Hindu houses.”

He said on April 19, Yusuf had taken part in another meeting at Rampal of Bagerhat and uttered similar words.

“When we were preparing for the war, on June 6, I along with Asmat Ali, Is-

mail and Hanif Molla took shelter at the Royenda Bazar. At 3 of that night Yusuf came to Sharankhola with 15-20 persons and the local razakars attacked us.”

The witness said as his fellows had been hiding in a toilet Yusuf with some razakars came and beat them up, and shot them dead. Khaleque also described the murder of his father Jainal Fakir.

Kashem’s trial begins The formal trial against Jamaat Executive Council member Mir Kashem Ali began yesterday with opening statements by prosecutors Sultan Mahmud and Ridia Sultana.

They said they had enough evidence against Kashem to try him.

After the opening statement, the tribunal set December 10 for the first prosecution witness. At the same time, it asked the defence to submit documents and a list of witnesses on or before November 25.

Senior defence counsel Abdur Razzak argued on three pleas submitted by the defence – related to seeking the prosecution’s documents, witness details and the probe report against the accused.

After a hearing, the tribunal 2 said it would not provide the defence with the probe report. But they could read it at the court room if they wanted to.

The tribunal also told the prosecutors to provide reference of books to the defence.

Allegedly an al-Badr commander during the Liberation War, Mir Kashem is facing 14 charges of crimes against humanity he had committed in Chittagong. l

n Tribune Report The BNP-led 18 party opposition alliance will stage demonstration at the district and upazila headquarters around the country on November 22 protesting the formation of the pollstime cabinet.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement at a briefing at the party chairperson’s Gulshan Office yesterday.

He said free, fair and credible elections were not possible under this government.

Earlier, the leaders and activists of the opposition alliance brought out black flag processions around the country protesting Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

In Narshingdi, BNP leaders criticised Ershad for not keeping his words about not joining polls.

In Khagrachhari, leaders of district unit BNP urged the government to reinstate non-party caretaker government system in order to make the upcoming national elections acceptable. Before that, they staged a procession in front its party office in the afternoon.

Issuing a threat to the government, the leaders said they would bring the country to a standstill under the leadership of Khaleda Zia if the government did not yield to their demand for caretaker government.

In Barisal, police mobbed sound grenades and fired rubber bullets to disburse a seemingly peaceful procession

by BNP’s student wing Chhatra Dal. Witnesses said the 18-party alliance

Defence to end argument in Nizami case today n Udisa Islam The defence lawyers of war crimes suspect Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday claimed that since the war crimes tribunal judges had taken oath to protect the constitution, they could not be impartial. The tribunal, however, said there was no such conflict.

They argued the whole day in the

Wife of an ASP was arrested yesterday for allegedly killing her 18-year-old domestic help by pushing her off from the rooftop of a building at Shewrapara of Kafrul in the capital.

Kazi Wazed Ali, OC of Kafrul police station, said housemaid Reeta Akhter was found dead on the road in front of the building around 8:30am. Police took the body and detained housemistress Munni Begum at 1:30pm.

It took police so long to get hold of the body and pick up the alleged killer because of a protest that broke out after Reeta’s body was found.

Hundreds of outraged housemaids and locals staged a demonstration for around five hours, clashing with police. They vandalised a police van.

Police hurled teargas canisters to tame the angry mob. The situation came under control after arresting Munni, 26, and assuring of bringing her to justice.

Both Munni and Reeta are residents of neighbouring villages in Sunamganj.

Reeta, who used to serve Munni’s sister before, had been working there for three

and a half months.

Munni’s husband ASP Kutub Uddin is in Sudan on a UN Peacekeeping Mission.

A number of local residents have alleged that Munni used to torture the housemaid.

A sub-inspector of the Kafrul police station said there had been injury marks on different parts of Reeta’s body.

While talking to the Dhaka Tribune at Kafrul police station later in the day, Munni denied having killed Reeta, claiming that Reeta had committed suicide by jumping through the ventilator of a toilet in her house on the top floor of the eight-storey building.

Asked about the reason behind the “suicide,” Munni said: “Reeta might have followed the steps of another domestic help, who had recently committed suicide. Reeta often told me that she wanted to kill herself.”

She also claimed that she had never tortured or misbehaved with Reeta.

However, it appeared to this correspondent, who had been to Munni’s house, that the ventilators of the toilets were too small and high for Reeta to reach and jump through. l

second phase of their arguments that began Monday. The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday asked them to complete the arguments by today.

On Monday, defence counsels Mizanul Islam and Tajul Islam argued on the charges against the Jamaat-e-Islami chief and claimed that the prosecution could not prove any crimes the

accused.

Yesterday, Mizanul criticised the prosecution for replying upon media reports to prove the offences. He said Nizami had become a lawmaker through direct votes of the people.

Tajul argued on the charge related with incitement and defended his client saying that the prosecution had cited a quote from the Qur’an wrongly.

He also claimed that the documents placed by the prosecution had not been reliable.

Regarding the prosecution’s arguments that Nizami had provoked crimes through his speeches, the defence said he made those statements “to protect his beloved country from enemy and it is a duty of every citizen to do so.” l

Activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance attack a car in the city’s Paltan area during their ‘black flag’ procession yesterday afternoon when new cabinet members were being sworn in at the Bangabhabana DHAKA TRIBUNE brought out a black-flag procession from the Ashwini Kumar Hall protesting the election-time cabinet and demanding election under caretaker government.

Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, lawmaker and city BNP president, Ahsan Habib Kamal, Barisal City Corporation mayor, and Moazzem Hossain Helal, city Jamaat ameer, led the procession that marched along city roads and ended in a rally in front of their party office.

Two battery-run auto-rickshaws

were vandalised by Chhatra Dal activists leading to an outbreak of panic in the area.

Police fired sound grenades and blank shots to bring the situation under control by disbursing the precession. A Chhatra Dal activist named Parvez was picked up by police.

In Satkhira, district unit BNP brought out a procession and held a rally at Khulna More road.

In Kurigram, Jenaidhah and Dinajpur, local units of 18-party alliance also brought out processions. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

POWER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN

Government aims 39,000MW generation by 2030 n Aminur Rahman Rasel The government aims at reaching an electricity generation capacity of about 39,000MW by 2030 – of which 24,000MW by 2021 – under its Power System Master Plan.

“There will be no electricity shortage in the country by March 2014 as the government has already launched the master plan,” Finance Minister AMA Muhith said at a seminar at Bidyut Bhaban yesterday.

Under the master plan 19,500MW electricity is planned to be generated from domestic and imported coal; 8,850MW from domestic and imported liquefied natural gas; 3,500MW imported through regional grids; 4,000MW from nuclear plant; and 2,700MW from other sources such as oil, water and renewable energy sources.

“The maximum demand for electricity during last summer was around 7,500MW and the power generation capacity was expected to rise to 11,000MW” Muhith said at the seminar titled “Power System Master Plan 2010: Strategy towards 24,000MW by 2021” organised by the Power Division.

He said after assuming office the government had fixed the power generation target at 9,000MW by 2015, but the capacity had already risen above 10,000MW by 2013.

Long tailback on DhakaChittagong highway n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir torched two vehicles on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway early yesterday in protest at the detention of a party leader, causing a prolonged tailback on the road.

The incident occurred at the Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong, forcing vehicles to remain stuck in a traffic jam that continued until late afternoon when police finally cleared the path.

The activists had also damaged vehicles at several points on the highway in the previous night, to protest the arrest of local Jamaat leader Aminul Islam.

Vehicular movement on both sides of the road was suspended for a few hours as a result of the incident.

The agitators torched the vehicles in front of Sitakunda police station, said Syed Zakir Hossain, officer in charge of Baro Awalia highway police outpost.

Additional security personnel were deployed to check further disruptions on the highway. l

The finance minister informed the seminar that almost 70-80% power was now generated from gas, which was mounting pressure on fertiliser production. “So, we have taken up the plan to introduce LNG-fuelled power generation within the next two years.”

Md Mizanur Rahman, director of system planning at the Power Development Board, in his keynote paper said the demand for electricity in the country was increasing at a rate of 9-12% and to meet the growth, the power sector was facing challenges – mainly shortage of primary fuel supply from indigenous resources and in financing capital intensive power projects.

Towfiq-E- Elahi, energy affairs adviser to the prime minister, said the government had launched the quick and short-term plans in power generation and a marathon stage of production had begun now to fulfil the longterm demand of the country.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Enamul Huq, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman AR Khan, Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan and Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam, among others, also addressed the programme. l

The Dhaka-Demra Road in the city’s Konapara near the Matuail Waste Dumping Zone of Dhaka City Corporation has become narrow day by day as tonnes of garbage are dumped beside the road every day RAJIB DHAR

New Islamist alliance places 7-point demand

2-day transport strike in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

n Tribune Report

Chittagong Transport Owners and Workers Association yesterday called a two-day strike from tomorrow to protest the recent arson, vandalism and attacks on hundreds of transports on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

The organisation also declared a one-day work abstention for Thursday in Chittagong region.

Kafil Uddin, general secretary of Inter-District Bus Owners Association, said: “We are having to face a huge loss because of vandalism, violence and arson on roads and highway during recent political activities.”

He added that they had to announce this strike as they had no any other option to make their voice heard by the political leaders. The owners and workers of the transport section want to end the violence and vandalism, he added. l

Three Islamist parties have announced the formation of a new alliance called the National Islami Alliance (NIA).

Led by Principal Maulana Habibur Rahman’s Khelafat Majlish, the two other components of the alliance are Democratic Islamic Movement and People’s Justice Party.

The announcement came yesterday from Maulana Habibur Rahman, ameer of the NIA, at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. The alliance leaders said another party was soon to join them.

“The government has been continuing repression although they talk about Islam. It seems that the BNP is not interested in meeting the demands of the Islamist parties either,” said Habibur, explaining the need to form the alliance.

Nurul Islam Khan, chairman of Democratic Islamic Movement, Khairul Ahsan, its secretary general, Dr M Haider Ali, president of People’s Justice Party, and Md Mostakim Billah Siddiqi of Sharshina Darbar Sharif were present.

The alliance announced a sevenpoint demand, including reinstating “complete trust and faith in Almighty Allah” in the constitution; and passing a law setting death penalty as the highest punishment for defaming Allah, Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

These two demands also feature in the 13-point charter of Hefazat-e-Islam, a qawmi madrassa-based Islamist outfit from Chittagong’s Hathazari.

Habibur, known as “Bulbuli Huzur,” is also a leading figure of Hefazat. He has close links with the Afghan Taliban and met Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s. l

Change in temperature unlikely

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

31.6 29.2 29.6 30.0 30.7 30.6 31.5 32.5

18.2 21.4 17.2 15.2 17.5 16.5 18.8 23.0

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:58am 6:15am 11:44am 3:35pm 5:11pm 6:30pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Preterm complications are contributing factors in 45% of all newborn deaths in Bangladesh, UNICEF Bangladesh and Save the Children in Bangladesh said in a joint press release issued yesterday.

In Bangladesh, every year approximately 76,000 newborns die and around 88 per cent of neonatal deaths are from three preventable causes: severe infection, intrapartum-related problems (asphyxia) and complications of preterm birth, said the press release.

About 28,000 Bangladeshi babies die within the first day of life, accounting for one-third of all newborn deaths, making it the most dangerous day for any baby.

The two organizations also said that groundbreaking global studies on preterm birth and disability carried out by almost 50 researchers at 35 institutions and launched in association with World Prematurity Day finds baby boys are at a higher risk of death and disability due to preterm birth than baby girls.

These disabilities range from learning problems and blindness to deafness

n Mushfique Wadud

n UNB

City

n Tribune Report

and motor problems, including cerebral palsy.

“Baby boys have a higher likelihood of infections, jaundice, birth complications, and congenital conditions but the biggest risk for baby boys is due to preterm birth. For two babies born at the same degree of prematurity, a boy will have a higher risk of death and disability compared to a girl…,” said Professor Joy Lawn, M.D., PhD, a neonatologist and epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and team leader of the new research.

The press release said that broken down by region, most of the problems were reported in low-income countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where 2.2 million newborns died, and more than 606,000 had some degree of impairment following newborn complications.

Improving prematurity prevention and care is a key part of a wider drive to reduce newborn deaths and improve quality care at the time of birth, when risks are highest for both women and their babies. l

Afsarul, Motahar bid farewell to journos

WEATHER

Weather is likely to remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country in 24 hours till 6pm today.

Night and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, Met Office said.

The sun sets in the capital today at 5:12pm and rises tomorrow at 6:17am.

Country’s highest temperature 32.8 degree Celsius was recorded yesterday at Sandiwp and lowest 12.7 degrees at Dinajpur.

Highest and lowest temperature and humidity recorded in some major cities and towns yesterday were:

Preterm birth causes 45% newborn deaths: Survey

Mother feeds Jony, who was hit by a rubber bullet fired by police while playing in the courtyard of his house. The police opened fired yesterday during a clash with garment workers at Ashulia DHAKA TRIBUNE

Journo threatened

by BCL leader n Tribune Report Jagannath University Chhatra League Unit’s president yesterday threatened a journalist for publishing a report against him.

Mahfuzur Rahman, who works as a university correspondent for online news agency Natunbarta.com, filed a general diary (GD) in this connection.

The GD statement described that Shariful Islam, president of the university Chhatra League, threatened Mahfuz during a phone call.

Manzurul Morshed, sub-inspector of Kotowali police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that they will be investigating the facts. l

ACC to frame charges against 11 Madrassa teachers n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved framing a charge sheet against 11 Madrassa teachers on charges of recruitment irregularity through fake signatures at Muktagachha upazila of Mymensingh, an official said.

The charges will be framed against several madrassa teachers namely Ishak Ali, ASM Rezaul Haque, M Anowar Hossain, ANM Abdur Rahim, M Abul Mansur Sarker, M Saiful Islam, M Harez Ali Sarder, Azizul Haque, M Abul Hossain Sarker, M Abdul Hai Master and M Rustom Ali.

While working as an acting Madrassa super, Ishak Ali faked the signatures of UNO and Madrassa Managing Committee President Monowar Hossain Akhand to hire seven teachers for the Islamic School, the case statement said.

Ishak had been in collusion with the other accused to commit the irregularity. The then Bureau of Anti-Corruption on July 18, 2004 filed a case with Muktagachha police station.

After formation of Anti-Corruption Commission, ACC Deputy Director Abul Kalam Azad conducted an inquiry, and after finding evidence asked the commission to approve a charge sheet against the 11. l

The process of upgrading the jobs and salaries of primary school head teachers had already been finalised and would be implemented very soon, said Primary and Mass Education Minister Afsarul Amin yesterday at what he said was his last briefing with journalists.

The briefing, organised to brief journalists on the Primary Terminal Examinations, eventually turned out to be the “farewell” briefing of Afsarul and his junior colleague Motahar Hossain.

“We are very close to completion [of our tenure]. We may not meet regularly in the coming days. I would like to thank all journalists for their help during my tenure,” Afsarul Ameen said.

The minister said over the 58 months and 11 days that he had been in charge of the ministry, he might have made some mistakes although he said he had tried his level best.

The press briefing was held at 12:30pm at the ministry conference room, hours before the interim cabinet was sworn in at Bangabhabhan.

Expressing hopes about being reelected and coming back to office as a minister, Ameen said the main challenge ahead was training up the primary schoolteachers. “For quality education, we must give quality training to the teachers.”

State Minister Motahar Hossain said: “We have tried our best in the last five years and I can tell you that primary education is now in a good state.”

He expressed hopes that people

would vote for them again and bring them back to power.

A total of 2,950,193 students will take this year’s Primary Terminal Examinations starting November 20. On the first day Last week, both Afsarul Ameen and Motahar Hossain, along with their other cabinet colleagues, sent letters to the prime minister expressing what they said was their “intent” to resign.

They are also the first cabinet members to publicly bid farewell to journalists.

So far, there has not been any indication about whether they would be included in the interim cabinet or not.

Children With Special Needs

A total of 3,792 children with special needs will take the primary terminal examinations this year along with other students, Afsarul Ameen told reporters at the briefing.

The examinations will be two and half hours but students with special needs will get 20 extra minutes to complete their examinations.

A total of 2,950,193 students will take this year’s Primary Terminal Examinations starting November 20. On the first day, students will sit for the Mathematics paper.

A total of 314,787 are taking the examinations from Ibtedayi madrassas while 3,739 from English version. Afsarul said all preparations for holding the examinations had been completed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

5

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The real record The economic and development records of both parties over the past quarter century. This is the first of the series

S

n Jyoti Rahman

ajeeb Wazed, the prime minister’s son and emerging Awami League leader, is on record making what would appear to be extravagant claims and even more extravagant promises about the doubling of per capita income.

According to Channel I and Prothom Alo, Mr Wazed has said: “In the past five years, your income has doubled. We promise that when we return to power, we will double it again … average income has increased from Tk40,000 to Tk80,000.”

The claim/promise has been relayed around the cyberspace, and is a key talking point in the Awami echo chamber. However, the Awami Leaguers would be well advised to not push this line.

Let’s go through this blow-by-blow.

Is it true that per capita income is now around Tk80,000?

Probably.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ official estimates, in 2012-13, the country’s per capita income was $923.

The official GDP is, however, based on a base year of 1995-96. As the economy is growing and evolving, it’s important to update the base year regularly. Just think about many goods and services that are commonplace now, but were not even thought of in 1995-96. In most countries, GDP bases are updated once every decade or so.

ernment to start computing GDP using the 2005-06 base year, a senior official of the agency said, seeking to remain unnamed.”

Compared with 1995-96 base, the 2005-06 base will include agricultural products like “green banana, green papaya, green coconut, soybean, cucumber, hog plum, red amaranth, bottle gourd, olive, ripe palm, marigold, rose and tuberose,” construction items like

Even after accounting for inflation, per capita income has risen by around 4.5% under successive governments for over a decade now

Bangladesh has a good record of per capita GDP growth under all governments

“brick, wood and fixtures and fittings” and services like “motor vehicles repairing … the private airlines, clearing and forwarding and travel agents, internet service providers and cable operators.”

This will make for a more accurate estimate of the size, composition and evolution of the economy. This looks to be like sound, important work by the BBS. Presence of people like Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud does inspire confidence in the process.

inal income is measured in current prices – that is, there is no allowance for the increase in prices. And one does not need a Harvard course in economics to know that when it comes to comparing people’s welfare, what matters is real income – that is, income after accounting for inflation.

According to the BBS estimates (on 1995-96 base – remember, 200506 based data is not available yet), real GDP per capita has increased by 4.6% a year under this government, compared with 4.4% a year under the last BNP government. The same data suggests that under this government, inflation has been 7.3% a year, compared with 4.8% a year under the last BNP government.

Chart 1: Inflation and real GDP per capita growth under successive governments 10

Per cent

Per cent

8

Per cent

Per cent

8

real GDP per capita growth

Inflation

8

10

8

4

4

6

6

3

3

4

4

2

2

2

2

1

1

0

0

0

HME

KZ1

SH1

KZ2

CTG

SH2

0 HME

KZ1

SH1

KZ2

CTG

SH2

HME: Hussain Muhammad Ershad, KZ1: Khaleda Zia 1st Term, SH1: Sheikh Hasina 1st Term, KZ2: Khaleda Zia 2nd Term, CTG: Caretaker Govt, SH2: Sheikh Hasina 2nd Term BBS BBS has been working on an updated GDP estimate, rebasing it to 2005-06.

Typically, when GDP base is updated, the entire size of the economy, and hence per capita income, rises for the simple reason that what was previously not counted is now counted. Not surprisingly, the new figures put per capita income somewhat higher than the previous figure – it’s now estimated to have been $1,044.

The macroeconomic fact is, in the last decade, under all three governments, per capita GDP has grown by around 4.5% a year

At Tk77 per dollar, per capita income was then somewhat higher than Tk80,000 in 2012-13. Cool.

Was it Tk40,000 when AL came into power?

Ah, this is where things get murky.

It turns out, the nominal GDP per capita, on the 1995-96 base, was around Tk42,600 in 2009.

Do note the two bits in bold.

Why is Mr Wazed using the 1995-96 base data for 2009 per capita income?

Because BBS has not actually published the time series going back into history. As a leading English daily reports: “The statistical agency, which last rebased in 2000, has got the nod of the technical committee and is now awaiting the green light from the gov-

But this is not a radical increase of the country’s GDP under this government. As the finance minister said: “Usually, the GDP size increases under the new base year because of the addition of new elements in the economy. So, this change is nothing significant or unusual.”

Compared with the old estimate, GDP is 13% or so bigger in 2012-13 under the new estimate. And it’s reasonable to expect that when BBS finishes its rebasing, we will find that the economy was 13% bigger in 2009.

That is, chances are nominal per capita income was not Tk40,000 in 2009 – it was more like Tk48,000.

Still, Tk48,000 rose to Tk80,000 – not double, but still a two-thirds increase during the current government’s term, that is, per capita income rising by roughly 13% a year for four years. This is surely an impressive achievement. If they could do this in the last term, surely they can be trusted to aim for 14% a year growth in the next term. And 14% a year growth for five years will mean per capita income will double.

Sure. But then again, per capita income also grew by around 13% a year under the 1/11 regime, over 9% a year under the last BNP government, and around 7% a year under both parties in the 1990s.

Wait a minute. Our per capita income has been growing by 7 to 13% a year for nearly a quarter century?

How is this possible when economic growth has never reached 7%?

What’s going on here?

You see, when Mr Wazed said per capita income was Tk40,000 when AL came to power, he was referring to the nominal per capita income. Nom-

I am sure the new data will change these figures slightly. But I don’t expect the broad pattern to change.

Essentially, there are two macro facts when it comes to the economic record of this government and the last BNP government: A. BNP did a much better job of controlling prices than this government has (Chart 1, left).

B. Even after accounting for inflation, per capita income has risen by around 4.5% under successive governments for over a decade now (Chart 1, right).

That’s an impressive record of per capita GDP growth. At this rate, real per capita income, and thus various indicators of health, education and other human welfare, will roughly double every 15 years. That is, our standard of living is roughly twice as high as was the case when Bangladesh

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

first qualified for cricket world cup.

And this is a collective effort, under successive governments.

Real GDP per capita In FY2013, Bangladesh’s real GDP per capita was Tk67,600. This is measured in 2012-13 prices, but the estimated GDP is on the 1995-96 basis. As noted earlier, BBS is in the process of revising GDP estimates to be on 2005-06 basis. On that basis, the level of real GDP per capita is about 13% higher in FY2013 – that is, on that basis, per capita GDP in FY2013 was over Tk80,000.

But the detailed time series of GDP estimates on the 2005-06 basis is not available yet, so the analysis that follows in this series is done on the 1995-96 based GDP. So, in FY2013, average Bangladeshi produced/earned Tk67,600. In FY2007 – the last year for which BNP government’s policies had immediate effect – real GDP per capita was Tk51,600.

This might suggest that the average Bangladeshi is better off under the AL government. And in a simplistic way, it would be true. But it would also be almost as true as saying you are older under the AL government than you were under BNP. You see, unless there is a natural disaster or political strife or severe recession, modern economies tend to grow every year, and thus at any point in time, real GDP per capita is expected to be higher than in the past.

And as Chart 2 shows, real GDP per capita has been steadily increasing under successive governments over the past quarter century – the last year to record a fall in real GDP per capita was FY1988.

A better way to gauge performance is to look at the rate at which real GDP per capita – and since most measures of living standards are its correlates, most other data series we will encounter in this series – is changing over time.

Chart 3 compares annual average growth in real GDP per capita under various governments in the past three decades – Mujib and Zia/ Sattar governments are excluded from comparison because the effects of the Liberation War and aftermath make them difficult to compare with the more recent governments. As the chart shows, under the second Khaleda government (six years to FY2007), real GDP per capita grew by 4.43% a year, compared with 4.60% a year under the second Hasina government (four years to FY2013). For the sake of completeness, under the 1/11 regime,

Chart3: Annual average growth in real GDP per capita (1995-96 basis, 2012-13 prices) 6.0 6.0 Percent

Percent

5.0

5.0

4.0

4.0

3.0

3.0

2.0

2.0

1.0

1.0

0.0

0.0

-1.0

HME 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

KZ1

SH1

1993 1995 1997

KZ2

CTG

SH2

1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011

2013

-1.0

Source: BBS, World Bank

real GDP per capita grew by 6.62%.

At this point, let me stress that these numbers are estimates, which are regularly revised. Therefore, it is very important that we don’t get too hung up on second decimal point differences. The macroeconomic fact is, in the last decade, under all three governments, per capita GDP has grown by around 4.5% a year. At that rate, average real (that is, inflation-adjusted) income doubles in 16 years.

That is, should this rate continue for another couple of years, by the middle of the next government’s term,

Unless there is a natural disaster or political strife or severe recession, modern economies tend to grow every year

the average Bangladeshi will have a standard of living that is double what he or she experienced at the turn of the millennium.

This is impressive stuff, for which every recent government deserves some credit. Note the qualifier “some” – could it be that the recent growth in GDP per capita has nothing to do with our governments? Maybe average incomes have grown despite the gov-

Chart 2: Real GDP per capita (1995-96 basis, 2012-13 prices) 70000

Taka

Taka

70000

60000

60000

50000

50000

40000

40000

30000

30000

20000

20000 1961

1966

1971

1976

1981

1986

1991

1996

2001

2006

2011

Source: BBS, World Bank

ernments? Maybe we just have been extremely lucky in the past decade?

Well, we can perhaps knock out the luck factor – we saw natural disasters like floods as well as adverse economic shocks like global food price inflation or the great recession in the past decade, so it’s not clear to me that we have been lucky in recent years. And in fact, as I have argued elsewhere, reforms implemented by Saifur Rahman in the early 1990s, and sustained by SAMS Kibria in the late 1990s, have a lot to do with the more recent performance.

But exactly how much credit should accrue to which government would require much more detailed analysis.

For now, the point to note is, when it comes to growth in average income, there isn’t much difference between the three latest governments. l Jyoti Rahman is a political blogger. The first two parts of the series have been combined here. The series was first posted in Nuraldeen.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

DoE stops measuring sound pollution in noisy Dhaka The measure against sound pollution could be implemented for fund crunch However, due to shortages of funds ment’s inactiveness in implement- a silent zone due to two important hosn Abu Bakar Siddique and manpower, the measures against ing Sound Pollution (Control) Rules pitals located in the area, the level was The Department of Environment (DoE), the authority responsible for controlling noise pollution in the country, has stopped measuring sound levels in the noisy capital over the past one year.

“The measuring of sound pollution in and around the capital is temporary halted as the officials are busy with different types of regular activities,” said Muhammad Shahjahan, additional director general of DoE. He added that the department would resume sound-measuring activities soon.

Meanwhile, QSI Hashmi, director (planning) of DoE, said the agency had taken a different approach to curb sound pollution, including creating public awareness and imposing fines.

sound pollution could not be implemented properly, he added.

Noise pollution has been increasing in the city for various reasons, including the presence of a large number of vehicles with noisy engines and loud horns.

A recent study by Poribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) shows that sound pollution in Dhaka is almost twice the normally acceptable levels.

According to the Poba study conducted in April, measurements taken at different points in the city _ including silent, residential, mixed, commercial and industrial zones _ showed sound levels exceeding 1.5 to two times standard levels.

The environmentalist group blamed the excessive noise on the govern-

(2006) that are meant to reduce sound pollution.

Poba also blasted the continued use of banned hydraulic horns by heavy vehicles plying in the city.

Experts say noise or sound pollution can harm people’s health, causing hearing loss or mental stress _ and even hypertension _ especially among children and the elderly.

High levels of sound pollution can impair children’s mental growth, said Dr Sajal Ashfaq, an ENT (eye, nose and throat) specialist.

The study found the sound level to be 104 decibels (dB) in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, which is in a silent zone.

In Shahbag, which is also considered

97dB. According to government regulation, the highest degree of sound acceptable in a silent zone is 50dB. Of all the places sampled, Dhaka airport main road was found the most sound-polluted area with 116dB. Tejkunipara and Dhanmondi were the noisiest residential areas, registering 102dB and 94dB respectively, far exceeding the 55dB safe sound limit for residential zones.

Kakoli and Karwan Bazar were the noisiest commercial areas, with 108dB and 95dB respectively, although the standard is 70dB. The sound level in Tejgaon’s Nabisco area measured 93dB, much higher than the 75dB limit for industrial zones. l

Six sent to jail for hacking schoolgirl to death n Our Correspondent, Barisal A judicial magistrate’s court yesterday sent six people to jail for allegedly hacking a schoolgirl to death and injuring four others in Gournadi of Barisal.

The six accused, including the drug addict killer, Nayon Bala, 20, his father, Amal Bala, his uncle, Dulal Bala, and his aunts Renu Bala, Puspa Bala and Subarna Bala were all denied bail by the court.

Tania, 11, a student of class four at a local primary school, was hacked to death by Nayon on Sunday morning at the Dakkhin-Pashchim Para under Batajor union of Gournadi, Barisal.

Meanwhile, Hasi Begum, 20, her sixmonth-old daughter, Marufa, Annya, 4, killer Nayon’s niece and Manir Sardar, 11, a schoolboy were also injured in the incident.

After an autopsy at Barisal Shee-Bangla Medical College Hospi-

Robbers loot 80 tolas of gold from a jewelry shop in city n Kailash Sarkar

Three RU unit JCD men held for attacking police

n RU Correspondent

Police yesterday arrested three leaders and activists of Rajshahi University unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of main opposition BNP, on allegations of attacking police on Sunday.

The arrestees are Joint Convener and a Masters student of the Material Science Department Ahsanuzzaman, and activists Imam Hasan and Rejoan Hasan Khan Chowdhury, Masters Students of the university’s Sociology Department.

Chhatra Dal leaders said police arrested the three while they were entering the university through the Kazla gate around 10:30am.

Motihar police station Officer-inCharge Abdul Mazid told reporters that the three were arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on law enforcers on Sunday evening.

“The next steps against the arrestees will be taken after primary interrogation,” the OC added.

Meanwhile, RU unit JCD Convener Arafat Reza Ashique alleged that police opened fire on their peaceful procession that left five leaders and activists injured.

Earlier on Sunday evening, JCD and police engaged in a clash and police opened fire to disperse the procession, which was arranged protesting the arrest of its central General Secretary Habibur Rashid Habib. l

A gang of armed robbers in open broad daylight looted around 80 tolas of gold ornaments and Tk20,000 in cash from a jewelry shop in the capital’s Tantibazar yesterday afternoon.

The criminals also exploded several crude bombs to create panic during their departure after looting the shop

An activist of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal flees the scene after exploding a crude bomb in Fakirpara area in Gaibandha during yesterday’s hartal enforced by district unit BNP protesting arrest of Habibur Rashid Habib, general secretary of the students’ front of the opposition party FOCUS BANGLA

1 held with 28 gold bars at Chittagong airport

Cleanliness stressed for building filariasis-free Bangladesh

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

n Tribune Desk

The Chittagong customs yesterday recovered 128 gold bars worth around Tk64m from a passenger who came from Dubai at Shah Amanat International Airport.

The customs authorities found the gold bars in four black polythene handbags weighing 15 kilogrammes brought by one Khairul Bashar, businessman by profession, after scanning those around 11:30am.

Mashiur Rahman Mandal, assistant commissioner of customs, said Bashar arrived at the airport from Dubai through a BG flight 048.

He added that the gold bars would be worth around Tk64m.

The customs official said the seized consignment would be forwarded to Bangladesh Bank through the Chittagong Customs House.

tal Tania’s body was laid to rest at her family graveyard on Sunday evening.

That night, Alamgir Sardar, the victim’s father, lodged a murder case against 12 accused with the Gournadi police station, said Abul Kalam, Gournadi police station officer-incharge.

Sub-Inspector Yunus, investigation officer of the case, said the six accused were arrested immediately, while the two others accused, Tapash Bala and Amaresh Bala, relatives of the killer, were still at large.

Aktar Hossain Babul, Batajor union parishad chairman and union BNP president said Nayonis is a drug addict and there were no issues of old rivalry or communal feelings behind the incident.

Police have been deployed at the killer Nayon Bala’s house and at surrounding areas populated by Hindu communities, said Gournadi police station in charge. l

He said the existing law allows a person to carry at best 200grams of gold from abroad after paying the necessary duty at the airport.

Bashar was handed over to police and a case was lodged with Patenga police station in this connection.

The customs authorities found the gold bars in four black polythene handbags weighing 15 kilogrammes brought by one Khairul Bashar Earlier, Chittagong Customs in Shah Amanat International Airport seized 25 gold bars on November 2, 14 on October 1, eight along with an individual on September 24, four gold bars and 69 gold necklaces with another person on September 1, 53 with two individuals on August 4 and 153 with one on July 23. l

There is no alternative to creating social awareness for ensuring cleanliness in building a filariasis-free Bangladesh by the year 2015, health experts told an orientation programme.

The Directorate of Health and Ministry of Health and Family Planning jointly organised the programme under the auspices of World Health Organisation at Domar Upazila Health Complex auditorium under Domar upazila in Nilphamari.

With Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Mostafizur Rahman in the chair, Upazila Chairman Abdur Razzaque Bosunia addressed the programme as the chief guest.

Assistant Director of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dr Abdul Mazid and Domar Upazila Social Ser-

vice Officer Motiar Rahman addressed the programme as special guests.

Volunteer of Japan Overseas Corporation Miss Mika Matsunaga, Upazila Sanitary Inspector Dulal Hossain, Domar Press Club President Mozaffar Hossain and Ketkibari Union Parishad Chairman Jahurul Haque Pramanik Dipu, among others, addressed the programme.

The speakers discussed the overall filariasis situation in the upazila and district levels, identified reasons for spreading the curable disease and elaborated effectiveness of the longterm Multi-Drug Therapy treatment method, reports BSS. The common people can get rid of filariasis disease and lead a normal life through eliminating mosquito reproduction by adopting preventive measures for improving hygienic condi-

tion of the surrounding environment, they said.

Dr Mostafizur Rahman said the disease was not at all a curse or transmissible instead, it is caused by bites from its germ carrier four female species mosquitoes namely, anopheles, culex, aedes and manosonia.

A total of 239,025 people of Domar upazila will be administered with tablets from November 21 to 30 next with one tablet to each children aged between 2 to 8 years, two tablets to each aged between 8 to 12 years and three tablets to each aged above 12 years, he said.

The chief guest urged all concerned to make the National Filariasis Elimination Programme successful through making the country free from filariasis by 2015 as per guidelines of the WHO. l

The gang of up to eight robbers held three employees of the gold shop hostage at gunpoint and looted the gold ornaments from the shop named “Binimpy Store” located in Haji Market area, said Swapan Ghosh, owner of the jewelry shop.

“The criminals also exploded several crude bombs to create panic during their departure after looting the shop”, he said.

He claimed that worth of the looted gold was estimated at Tk4m.

Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station, said they were looking into the matter.

“We are trying to arrest the robbers and recover the looted gold”, the OC added. l

DU ‘Ga’ unit results published n Tribune Report The admission test results for the ‘Ga’ unit for the first year honours courses at Dhaka University for 2013-14 academic session was published yesterday.

Vice-Chancellor of the university AAMS Arefin Siddique announced the results around 12:15pm at register building.

A total of 3, 813 examinees out of 45, 883 came out successful in the admission tests held on November 15.

Students can see their results by visiting the university’s website (admission.eis.du.ac.bd).

They can even send a short message service (SMS) from their Robi, Banglalink, Airtel or Citycell number. They have to type DU<GA<ROLL<and then it send it to 16321.

Successful candidates have been asked to fill up online forms of subject choice from November 25 to November 30. l

Begum Fazilatunnessa Memorial Trust established at DU

Primary, Ebtedayee terminal exams begins tomorrow

n Arif Ahmed

n Tribune Desk

A memorial trust fund named ‘Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial Trust Fund’ was set up at Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall of Dhaka University yesterday.

In order to set up this fund, Provost of the halll Prof Sabita Rezwana Rahman handed over a cheque for Tk125,000 from the dormitory fund to DU Treasurer Prof Md Kamal Uddin.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art Prof Syed Abul Bark Alvi, Acting Registrar

Syed Rezaur Rahman and House Tutors of the Hall were present on the occasion.

From the memorial trust, a discussion titled ‘Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial Lecture’ will be organised and one meritorious female student will be awarded Begum ‘Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial Trust Gold Medal’ every year.

Besides, eight meritorious female students of the fall four from graduation and post-Graduation levels of different departments will be given scholarship every year.

VC Prof Arefin Siddique in his speech said Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib had contributed a lot to the nation behind the screen besides looking after Bang-

abandhu’s family. Although she was a housewife, she had a strong personality and political farsightedness. For that reason she will be alive forever as a vast part of the history.

Fazilatunnessa Mujib was born on August 8, 1930 in Tungipara of Gopalganj.

During her entire life, she cooperated and inspired Bangabandhu directly and indirectly in allthe activities of Bangabandhu including democratic movements and liberation war of the country.

She was brutally killed at the age of 45 by a group of miscreants on the 15th August, 1975 with Bangabandhu and family at their Dhanmondi residence. l

The Primary and Ebtedayee Terminal Examinations 2013 will begin across the country tomorrow.

The six-day examination is scheduled to end on November 28.

Some 2.95m students – 2.63m from schools and 314,787 from madrasahs – will take part in the examinations to be held simultaneously in 6,574 centres.

Of the school examinees, 1.21 are boys and 1.42m girls while of the Ebtedayee candidates, 157,227 are boys and 157,560 girls. A total of 6,457 students of English medium will also take part in the examinations this year.

The examinations will be held in 6,566 centres across the country.

Besides, 774 candidates will appear in the examinations in eight overseas centres in Jeddah, Riyadh, Tripoli, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Oman, reports UNB. Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr Afsarul Ameen disclosed the details while briefing reporters at his office yesterday.

The minister said that according to the new rules, the answer scripts of one upazila will be evaluated by teachers of another upazila under the same district.

The district and metropolitan committees under the National Steering Committee will decide distribution of the answer sheets, he added.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Motahar Hossain and Pri-

mary and Mass Education secretary Quazi Akhtar Hossain were present at the press briefing.

The mathematics exams under the Primary and Ebtedayee education will be held on the first day on Wednesday.

The following are the schedules of other exams: Bangla on Nov 21, English on Nov 24, Bangladesh-O-Biswa Porichoi and Paribesh Parichiti (Samaj) on Nov 25, Prathomik Bijnan (Science) and Arabic on Nov 27, and Dharmo (Religion) and Quran-O-Tajbeed and Aqaeed-O-Fiqah on Nov 28.

The exams will be held every day from 11am to 1pm. Physically challenged students will get extra 20 minutes in addition to the stipulated time. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

7

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Locals stage demo protesting ‘wrong treatment’ n Our Correspondent, Gaibandha Locals staged a demonstration at the Gabindaganj upazila in Gaibandha yesterday; demanding exemplary punishment of a quack who they said provided ‘wrong treatment’ to a housewife.

A tense situation has been prevailing in the locality since the death of Anu Rani, 40, wife of Bablu Mohanta, from Barna village under the Kamardaha union of the upazila on November 12.

The agitators said the quack was responsible for the death as he conducted the operation without having any academic certificate in this regard Local people said Anu Rani had gone to the quack for the surgical removal of a tumor under her waist on November 12.

Then, quack Indrazit conducted the

operation on that day without any diagnosis and later released the patient.

Nevertheless, the patient died on her way home due to excessive bleeding from the incision.

Soon after the incident, quack Indrazit went into hiding to avoid the locals’ antagonism.

The agitators said the quack was responsible for the death as he conducted the operation without having any academic certificate in this regard.

Bablu Mohanta, the victim’s husband, said severe bleeding had been taking place as the quack cut a part of her rectum when operating on her tumor.

Abdul Hamid, a social worker of the area, said the quack was trying to compromise the matter by providing a good amount of money to the victim’s family so that they would not file a case against him.

Despite repeated attempts, Indrazit could not be reached as his mobile phone has remained switched off. l

A family collects Aubergine from field

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Aubergine brings fortune to farmers

Easy-bike driver beaten to death n UNB

One gets death, 12 life-term for killing AL leader

Hartal in Mohanganj passed peacefully

A battery-run easy-bike driver was beaten to death by miscreants in Benapole town of the district yesterday.

Sub-inspector Narayan Chandra of Banapole port police station said local people spotted the body of Rawsan Ali, 40, of Boroachra village of Benapole municipality beside Mama Store near Benapole check post in the morning and informed police.

Later, law enforces recovered the body and sent it to Jessore Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Police suspected that muggers might have killed Rawsan by striking him on the head as he refused to give them the money collected for the cooperative association. l

n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

A dawn-to-dusk hartal, enforced by local BNP, in Mohanganj upazila of the district protesting the arrest of Habibur Rashid Habib, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was observed peacefully yesterday.

Habib was arrested from the capital’s Shantinagar area on Sunday afternoon.

Ramijul Haque, officer-in-charge of Mohanganj police station, said no incident of violence was reported from anywhere during the shutdown, reports UNB. Most of the shops and business establishments in the upazila headquarters remained closed while no longroute buses entered or departed due to the strike. l

n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

Youth jailed for stalking in Munshiganj n Tribune Desk

Kishoreganj to have new intercity train from tomorrow

A speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka sentenced one person to death while 12 to life term rigorous imprisonment in a sensational AL leader Rabiullah murder case.

The death sentenced convict is Kamal Mia, hailed from Bazitpur upazila.

The life term convicts are Doyal Mia, Anaros Mia, Shahin Mia, Sahil, Prokash Mia, Rubel Mia, Rupak, Nurul Islam, Sujit, Rana Shikdar, Mamun Mia and Sohel Mia, all hailed from Maizchar village in Bazitpur upazila.

According to the prosecution, the convicted allegedly indiscriminately chopped Robiullah member, also general secretary of AL of Maizchar union

in Bazitpur, over previous enmity on April 25, 2005 on his way to Kishoreganj from home.

Later, locals rushed him to Bazitpur Jahurul Islam Medical College and Hospital in critical condition. Later, he was shifted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University where he succumbed to his injuries after nine days’ of struggle with life on May 5.

The following day, Parvin Akter, wife of deceased filed a case with Bazitpur police station.

ABM Sajedur Rahman, judge of Speedy Tribunal court-3 in Dhaka sentences yesterday one to death and 12 to life term and fined Tk 10 thousand each to life term convicts, in default, suffer to 1 year jail in more. l

n Tribune Desk

A mobile court on Sunday sentenced a young man to six months’ imprisonment for stalking a JSC examinee in Gazaria upazila.

Dr ATM Mahbub-ul-Karim, upazila nirbahi officer of Gazaria upazila and also executive magistrate, handed down the verdict to Jewel Rana, 18, son of late Abdul Sattar of Natun Charcasi village of the upazila.

The UNO said Jewel had long been harassing her and police arrested him red handed from in front of the examination centre Alhaj Kalimullah College. l

A human chain was formed in Tangail district town yesterday, protesting vandalism in the residence of a college teacher DHAKA TRIBUNE

Balanced fertilisation mandatory for retaining soil productivity n Tribune Desk Speakers at a farmers’ awareness meeting have underscored the need for proper soil health management in order to retain its productivity.

They viewed that soil nutrients have gradually been declining because of multifarious reasons including injudicious fertilisation, which creates a negative impact on the soil productivity. Therefore, farmers should take the responsibility of protecting the soil’s health.

Regional Office of the Soil Resource Development Institute organised the programme styled “Soil sample collection methods, balanced fertilisation, identification of adulterated fertiliser and soil health conservation” at Shah Agriculture Information Library at Kaligram village under Manda Upazila of Naogaon district yesterday.

SRDI Senior Scientific Officer Nurul Islam addressed the discussion as the focal person with founder of the library Jahangir Alam Shah in the chair.

Agriculturists Rejaul Haque, Enayet Ali Pramanik, Aminul Islam and Shimul Mondal also spoke.

Three local farmers Nurul Islam, Hossain Ali and Nuru Sheikh shared their experiences of practicing soil test based fertilisation on the occasion.

Researchers and scientists viewed the disproportionate use of chemical fertilisers and harmful pesticides for cultivating high yielding varieties of different crops as the main reason behind the continuous decline of soil nutrients.

Lesser use of organic matter and little or no use of leguminous green manure and bio-fertilisers have also been identified as degradable factors.

“Organic matter requirement is at least 2.5 % in normal soil, whereas the content in the area was found less than1.3% and even less than one per cent in some soils,” revealed SRDI Senior Scientific Officer Nurul Islam.

He said an optimum level of organic matter is necessary for building and

maintaining positive soil properties and normal soil ecosystem that supports plant growth.

It is also imperative for creating a positive soil environment from which plants can take nutrients from applied chemical fertilisers as it acts as the storehouse of nutrient elements. The fertilizers also produce both macro and micro in environmental way.

Nurul Islam said organic manure improves the chemical and physical properties of soil like its structure by acting as a binding agent. The good structure enhances the favourable air-water status of soil from which plant and microorganisms can take air, water and nutrients.

Likewise, input and output balance of plant nutrient elements should be equal for maintaining the soil’s nutrient status.

Soil test based fertilisation has also become indispensable to build and maintain soil properties positive to growth, he added. l

Aubergine cultivators of Lamonirhat are very happy due to bumper production and satisfactory prices at local markets.

Farmers said growers who cultivated aubergine this season could be able to double their money by selling the vegetable.

A farmer can earn as much as Tk1,300 to Tk2,500 by investing only Tk250-Tk1,200 to cultivate aubergine on one decimal of land.

Aubergine growers Matiar Rahman, 56, from Fulgachh village of Lalmonirhat sadar upazila, said he invested Tk7,000 to cultivate the vegetable on .161 hectare which is approximately 40 decimal land this year and started getting profit.

n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj Bangladesh Railway is set to introduce a new intercity train on the Dhaka-Kishoreganj-Dhaka route tomorrow.

With this, the long demand of the district’s people came true, as railway officials said “Kishoreganj Express,” having 552 seats, would have stoppages at Manik Khali Rail Station, Sorarchar, Kuliarchar, Bazitpur, Bhairab, Methikandi, Narsingdi and Dhaka Airport Stations.

The people of the district have long been demanding a new train service as “Egaro Sindur Probhati,” the only train on the route, was not enough to meet the

Matiar added, “At first I sold eight maunds of eggplants at a rate of Tk45 to 50 per kg. Immediately after selling my first lot I sold 18 maunds at a rate of Tk30 to 33 per kg and now I have been selling the vegetable at a rate of Tk18 to Tk20.”

From the same village, another cultivator Shamsul Alam, 50, said he has already earned Tk13,000 by selling aubergine this season.

Abdus Salam, 48, a farmer at Komlabari village at Aditmari upazila, said he in comparison to the last year had earned almost double this year.

Mohammad Nuruzzaman, agriculture officer of Lalmonirhat sadar upazila, said a farmer could grow 4 to 6 maunds of eggplant on each decimal of land. l

pressures of a huge number of passengers.

Besides, other transports are costlier, time consuming and not very comfortable. Joyanta Mazumdar, stationmaster of Kishoreganj rail station said Sobhon ticket’s price of the new train would be Tk120, while Sobhon Chair ticket’s price would be Tk140.

Prof Mazharul Haque Chunnu, a regular passenger of the district, said the people of Kishoreganj had been demanding a new train for quite for a long time, as people prefer a train journey as it is both affordable and comfortable.

Other than trains, all kinds of transportation fares had already hiked abnormally, he added. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

31 Syrian soldiers killed near capital: Rights group n Reuters, Beirut

Police officers patrol at the Champs Elysees avenue after a gunman opened fire in the lobby of Liberation newspaper in Paris AP

Thirty one Syrian soldiers were killed on Sunday in bomb attack at a government building in a town on the outskirts of the capital, a monitoring group that documents Syrian battlefield developments said.

Rami Abdelrahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the building in Harasta

was completely levelled by the explosion.

“Only the night staff were on duty when the explosion occurred. If the bomb had gone off an hour before, there could have been up to 200 dead,” he said by the telephone.

He said others were wounded but the death toll was unlikely to rise.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in a civil war that started two and a half years ago when forces loyal to Presi-

dent Bashar al-Assad opened fire on protests demanding an end to four decades of Assad family rule.

In recent weeks, the army and pro-Assad militia have taken ground in the north and opposition fighters have resorted to bomb attacks and mortar strikes into government-held territory, including the capital. Harasta is mostly in government hands but rebels have been trying since summer 2012 to advance into it. l

del Rahman told AFP. Thursday’s strike also killed Yussef al-Abbas, known as Abu al-Tayyeb, Liwa al-Tawhid’s intelligence chief.

He had been in a car along with Saleh, and another senior figure in the rebel group, Abdelaziz Salameh, who was also wounded.

Following the attack, Liwa alTawhid arrested 30 people suspected of being informers for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Saleh, chief of operations for Liwa al-Tawhid, was widely seen as the brigade’s most important figure.

His death comes as the Syrian regime makes new gains in Aleppo, seizing several towns and talking about reopening Aleppo International Airport after nearly a year of closure.

“As an individual, he was very, very

important, certainly in the Aleppo area, but increasingly as an individual that many in Syria felt represented the revolution,” said Charles Lister, an analyst at IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre.

“He came from a humble background, was outwardly religious but was very open... and he maintained extremely good relations with almost all groups of all different natures.”

Lister said Saleh’s death would be “a very significant blow” to the opposition, but added that it could “spur on the rebels to launch a counterattack as the regime advances.”

In a sign of his good ties across the opposition spectrum, Saleh was being widely mourned on social media sites by activists and fighters from a range of groups. l

Photographer shot at French newspaper office Syria rebel chief killed in regime strike n AP, Paris A gunman opened fire in the lobby of a French newspaper office in Paris on Monday, gravely wounding a photographer’s assistant before fleeing. Soon afterward, shots were fired at the headquarters of a major French bank west of Paris, and a gunman briefly took a man hostage nearby.

The Paris police headquarters said that it is not clear whether the three incidents are linked, but that authorities are increasing security in all three places as well as media offices around Paris. As police hunt for the attacker or attackers, a helicopter is flying over the neighbourhood that includes the French president’s office and the nearby Champs-Elysees avenue.

The motivation behind all three attacks is unclear.

The shooting at the offices of prominent daily newspaper Liberation came three days after a shooting at the BFMTV news network in Paris that is still under investigation.

Police and representatives of Liberation say a 27-year-old photographer’s assistant is in serious condition after being shot in the chest and arm. The culture minister called the newspaper — an outspoken left-leaning voice founded by Jean-Paul Sartre that has seen financial difficulties and layoffs in recent years — a “pillar of our democracy.”

Witnesses reported the gunman said nothing during the brief time he was in the lobby Monday morning soon after 10am. l

n AFP, Beirut

The head of the Syrian rebel Liwa alTawhid Brigade has died of wounds suffered in a regime air strike last week, rebels and a monitor said on Monday.

“Abdel Qader Saleh has been martyred,” said a posting on a Facebook page linked to the brigade.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the death.

“Abdel Qader Saleh, known as Hajji Marea, died of wounds he sustained last Thursday when warplanes targeted the Liwa al-Tawhid leadership,” it said in a statement.

“He was taken to Turkey after being wounded, and died in a hospital there before being brought back to Syria for burial,” Observatory director Rami Ab-

Egypt blames militants for officer’s killing in Cairo

Mandela still ‘stable but critical,’ responding to treatment n AFP, Johannesburg Nelson Mandela remains in a “stable but critical” condition, but “continues to respond to treatment,” according to the South African government, issuing its first update on his health since September.

“The health of the former President remains much the same,” according to a statement issued after President Jacob Zuma visited the anti-apartheid icon at his home Monday.

The 95-year-old was discharged on September 1 to receive intensive care at home, after nearly three months in hospital for a lung infection.

The government has refused to give details about his condition, citing the need for privacy, but said “he continues to recover.”

Mandela’s former wife this week told a local newspaper that Mandela remains “quite ill” and is unable to speak because of tubes being used to clear his lungs of liquid.

He is using facial expressions to communicate, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela added.

The country’s anti-apartheid hero is under the care of 22 doctors. l

n Reuters, Cairo

Egyptians gather near the wreckage of a mini-bus on the site of an accident near a railway crossing, where a train ploughed into a truck and the mini-bus AFP

Egypt: Death toll in train accident rises to 26 n AP, Cairo Egyptian officials say the death toll from a train crash south of Cairo has risen to 26, after two of the injured died in hospital.

The train slammed into at least three vehicles, including a truck, crossing the tracks early on Monday near the village of Dahshur. Most of the dead and injured were family members returning from a wedding in Cairo.

WORLD WATCH Iran unveils attack drone ‘with 2,000 km range’

Iran on Monday unveiled a missile-equipped drone with a range of 2,000 kilometres, the official IRNA news agency reported. “The Fotros drone has an operational range of 2,000 kilometres and can fly at an altitude of 25,000 feet, with a flight time of 16 to 30 hours,” Defence Minister Mohammad Dehgan was quoted as saying. Dehgan said the new drone could carry out reconnaissance missions or launch air-to-surface missile strikes. The aircraft was tested “successfully” and “shows that sanctions imposed by the enemies are not an obstacle to the progress of the defence industry,” the minister told the unveiling ceremony. In recent years, Iran has launched an ambitious drone programme, causing worry in the United States and the West.

Two killed, 20 injured in US mining accident

Authorities say the two miners killed in an accident Sunday in Colorado died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Twenty workers were injured. The Denver Post reports that officials said the source of the gas was under investigation. They are looking at whether a small explosion in the mining process might have caused it.

Ouray County spokeswoman Marti Whitmore says all but two people have been treated and released. Rory Williams, the operations manager for Colorado-based Star Mine LLC, says all of the men are required to wear personal respirators and the two who died had them. He says it doesn’t appear to be an equipment malfunction.

Kabul’s school of rock offers lessons for life

With a sense of showmanship that would have impressed Freddie Mercury, Salahdeen, aged seven, struts his way through a passionate rendition of “We Will Rock You” – all part of the learning process at Kabul’s “school of rock.” Founded two years ago in a living room in the Afghan capital, the school has grown into a busy youth club based at an arts centre with a recording studio and 35 students mastering singing, the guitar and drums.

The walls are covered in murals of local life and musical heroes such US duo The White Stripes, while the garden outside is decorated with graffiti paintings including one of a woman struggling with her veil.

“This is the only place in Afghanistan to learn rock music,” Omar Paiman, 18, a spiky-haired fan of Linkin Park, told AFP. “I am really interested in guitar, and I have had lessons for seven months. My family didn’t want me being a singer or a musician because Afghan people don’t have a good opinion of rock music.”

The head of Egypt’s emergency services, Ahmed el-Ansari, says 28 people remained in hospital, mostly with fractures, crush injuries and lost body parts. Egypt is notorious for train collisions and has a poor safety record blamed on decades of badly maintained equipment.

A year ago, a train crashed into a bus, killing 51 school children in southern Egypt. l

Egyptian security officials have blamed Islamist militants for the shooting death of an Interior Ministry lieutenant colonel, the highest-profile killing in Cairo since the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July.

Mohamed Mabruk was killed outside his home in Cairo’s Nasr City district on Sunday, three days after a three-month curfew and state of emergency were lifted.

Mabruk, who was shot by masked men, was in charge of monitoring Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement in the Interior Ministry’s National Security division.

“Our investigations point to Islamic jihadists carrying out this assassination with political motives,” a security official told Reuters. “They were taking revenge on Mabruk because he took care of a very high profile file.”

The army-backed government accuses the Brotherhood of carrying out militant attacks. It makes no distinction between the Brotherhood and militants in Sinai, who attack security forces almost daily.

The Brotherhood, which won every election since strongman Hosni

Mubarak was toppled in February 2011, says it is a peaceful movement.

The killing is bound to raise fears that an Islamist insurgency could take hold beyond the Sinai Peninsula, where militants have escalated attacks since the army overthrew Morsi following mass protests against his rule.

Political turmoil and attacks by al-Qaeda inspired Islamists in the Sinai near Israel have hurt investment and tourism in Egypt, one of the United State’s most important Arab allies.

Islamists waged a full-blown insurgency in Egypt in the 1990s which was eventually crushed by then president Mubarak.

Security sources said Mabruk was shot seven times. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Mabruk was involved in sensitive work. He helped to uncover the identity of a former military officer who staged a failed suicide bombing attack on the interior minister in Cairo in September.

He was also in charge of revealing the location of Muslim Brotherhood members who attempted to assist leaders of the movement flee the country after the army takeover, the security sources said. l

Memorial at Tahrir Square sparks protest n AP, Cairo Where tents once sprouted and protesters chanted, municipal workers are now laying grass and flowers in the roundabout of Egypt’s famous Tahrir Square.

There in the centre, workmen rushed to put the finishing touches on the base of what the government says will be a memorial dedicated to the protesters killed in Egypt’s political turmoil, which has seen two presidents ousted from power in 2011 and 2013.

But the turmoil is not over. Even now, soldiers routinely block off the often-deserted square with armoured personnel carriers and barbed wire on days authorities fear protests and clashes could reach the central Cairo plaza. Tuesday marks the anniversary of some of the fiercest confrontations between protesters and security forces near the square — and some say the memorial doesn’t honour the dead as much as it tries to paper over the turmoil still gripping the Arab world’s

most populous country.

“No transitional justice starts by building a memorial in Tahrir,” said political activist Rasha Azab, who took part in the 2011 and 2012 clashes. “I have no doubt that this memorial will be destroyed soon. It doesn’t represent anything.”

The memorial construction is part of a government plan to show that the country has regained stability since its 2011 Arab Spring uprising that saw longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak step down. l

Man buys home next to exwife, erects middle finger

Alan Markovitz of Michigan says he moved into a house neighbouring his ex-wife’s and erected a 12-foot-tall statue of the middle finger pointed at it. The house is located in Bloomfield Hills and Markovitz told WJBK the statue is his way of getting back at his ex-wife’s new lover, who is residing alongside her. He claims he had never meant for the matter to be public, but the story grabbed local media attention when his ex-wife’s daughter Tweeted a picture of the statue online.

An Egyptian man looks at municipality laborers working on a memorial base two days before the commemoration of deadly clashes with security forces in 2011, in Tahrir Square, Cairo AP

Putin sees ‘real chance’ at new Iran talks: Kremlin n AFP, Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Monday there was “a real chance” to find a solution to the decade-old standoff over Tehran’s nuclear drive.

The Kremlin said Putin had called Rouhani to discuss the Syrian crisis as well as a new round of talks about the nuclear standoff that is set to begin in Geneva on Wednesday.

“Putin stressed that a real chance has now emerged for finding a solution to this longstanding problem,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Kremlin added that Rouhani gave a “high grade” to Russia’s role at the so-called P5+1 negotiations that besides Iran include the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany.

The last round of talks between Iran and world powers earlier this month come tantalisingly close to finding a framework agreement that would have suspended some elements of Tehran’s disputed programme in exchange for partial sanctions relief.

The terms of the potential deal have been vehemently opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some powerful members of the US Congress. l

Russian court: Greenpeace activist to stay in jail

n AP, Russia

A Russian judge has ruled that the first of the 30 people arrested following a Greenpeace protest in the Arctic should remain in jail for three more months pending trial.

Australian activist Colin Russell was the first to have his case heard as investigators ask St Petersburg courts to extend the detention period for all 30, and Monday’s ruling suggests the others have little hope for release.

Six other defendants also have hearings on Monday.

The Russian coast guard seized the Greenpeace ship on Sept 18 and arrested everyone on board after the environmental activists tried to scale an offshore drilling platform owned by Russian state energy giant Gazprom.

The detainees are charged with hooliganism, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years. l

Google: Searches for child abuse sites blocked n AP, London Google’s executive chairman says the company has introduced software that will block links to child abuse material on the web.

Eric Schmidt writes in Britain’s Daily Mail that Google and other Internet companies like Microsoft have been working with law enforcement to stop paedophiles from sharing illegal pictures on the Internet.

Schmidt says that the company has fine-tuned Google Search “to prevent links to child sexual abuse material from appearing in our results.”

Though he acknowledged that no algorithm is perfect, Schmidt says the changes have cleaned up the results for over 100,000 queries. Changes will be rolled out soon in more than 150 languages — making the impact global. l

NASA launching robotic explorer to Mars

n AP, Cape Canaveral

NASA’s newest Martian explorer is on its launch pad in Florida, ready to soar.

The Maven spacecraft was scheduled to blast off aboard an unmanned Atlas V rocket Monday afternoon.

NASA is sending Maven to Mars to study its upper atmosphere. Scientists want to know why Mars went from being warm and wet during its first billion years, to the cold and dry place it is today.

The early Martian atmosphere was thick enough to hold water and possibly support microbial life. But much of that atmosphere may have been lost to space, eroded by the sun.

“Something clearly happened,” the University of Colorado’s Bruce Jakosky, the principal Maven scientist, said on the eve of Maven’s flight. “What we want to do is to understand what are the reasons for that change in the climate.”

Maven — bearing eight science instruments — will take 10 months to reach Mars, entering into orbit around the red planet in September 2014. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

9

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Reports: Australia spied on Indonesian president

Pakistan imposes curfews after sectarian clash leaves three dead

n AFP, Sydney

Authorities imposed curfews and deployed troops in two different areas of northwest Pakistan on Monday after three people were killed during a sectarian clash, police said.

The violence occurred in Kohat city, where members of a hard-line Sunni Muslim group, Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat, were holding a rally to protest a sectarian clash in Rawalpindi city on Friday that killed 10 people, including at least eight Sunnis, said police officer Fazal Naeem Khan.

Shooting broke out during Monday’s rally, killing three people, including a policeman and two civilians, said Khan. It was unclear if the civilians

Australian spy agencies attempted to listen to the phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and targeted his wife and senior ministers, reports said Monday, drawing a demand for answers from Jakarta.

Secret documents leaked by US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden, obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Guardian newspaper, name the president and nine of his inner circle as targets of the surveillance.

The embarrassing details emerged with ties between the strategic allies already strained over previous spying allegations and how to deal with boatpeople heading for Australia via Indonesia.

The documents show that Australia’s electronic intelligence agency tracked Yudhoyono’s activity on his mobile phone for 15 days in August 2009, when Labour’s Kevin Rudd was prime minister.

Weeks before, twin blasts at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital – the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton – had killed seven people, including three Australians.

The directorate reportedly intercepted at least one call.

A list of targets also included Yudhoyono’s wife Ani, Vice President Boediono – who was in Australia last week, former vice president Jusuf Kalla, the foreign affairs spokesman, the security minister and the information minister, the reports said.

Yudhoyono’s office demanded an explanation from Canberra.

“The Australian government urgently needs to clarify on this news to avoid further damage,” spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told AFP in a text message.

“The damage has been done,” he added.

Indonesian FM Natalegawa speaks during a press conference in Jakarta AP Another name on the list, former minister for state-owned enterprises and communication, Sofyan Djalil, told AFP: “We are not happy.”

But he added: “Diplomatic relations always have their ups and downs. This has caused anger in the short-term, but in the long-term, we are still neighbours and I think we will overcome this.”

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to comment on the latest claims when pressed in parliament, but said Indonesia was an important partner.

“I will never say or do anything that might damage the strong relationship and the close cooperation that we have with Indonesia, which is all in all, our most important relationship,” he said, adding that he wanted it to “grow stronger in the months and years ahead.”

The ABC said one of the documents was titled “3G impact and update” and appeared to chart attempts by Australian intelligence to keep pace with the rollout of 3G technology in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia.

A number of intercept options

n AP, Islamabad

were listed and a recommendation was made to choose one of them and to apply it to a target – in this case the Indonesian leadership, the broadcaster said.

The latest release of Snowden documents comes just weeks after reports claimed Canberra’s overseas diplomatic posts, including in Jakarta, were involved in a vast US-led surveillance network, which sparked an angry reaction from Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

This was followed by claims that Australia and the United States mounted a joint surveillance operation on Indonesia during 2007 UN climate talks in Bali.

In an interview with the ABC on Sunday, before the latest revelations, Vice President Boediono played down suggestions of a rift with Australia, shrugging off the disputes as normal neighbourly problems.

“It’s normal for next-door neighbours to have problems,” he said, but admitted to public concern in Indonesia over the espionage allegations.

Alexander Downer, the foreign minister under John Howard’s conservative government, said the revelations were damaging to Australia.

“It’s a shocking situation in which Australia will pay a big price,” he told Sky News, while Greens leader Christine Milne said it showed the “extent to which this country has slipped down the US path of universal surveillance.”

Former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Snowden was given asylum in Russia in August, to the fury of the United States where he is wanted on espionage charges following disclosures that have provoked international uproar and strained ties with allies.

He is behind revelations of American spying in Germany, including the tapping of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone. l

Indonesia’s Sinabung and Merapi volcanoes erupt

Mount Sinabung spews volcanic material as it erupts

n AFP, Kabul

could see black smokes billowing from Sinabung. Hours earlier, Mount Merapi, Indonesia most volatile volcano in Central Java, spewed volcanic ash about 2,000 metres into the sky, causing ash to fall in several towns.

National Disaster Management spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said about 600 families have gathered

AP

for a possible evacuation.

Merapi, which is in Yogyakarta province, killed more than 300 people and caused the evacuation of 20,000 villagers when it burst back to life in late 2010. Indonesia which is located on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire,” has 129 active volcanoes, making it prone to seismic upheaval. l

holding a procession to mark Ashoura, one of the sect’s most important religious occasions. The Shias clashed with members of an Islamic seminary affiliated with Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat.

Ten people were killed in the clash and 56 were wounded, said the Rana Sanaullah, the law minister for Punjab province, where Rawalpindi is located.

At least eight of the dead were Sunni Muslims. The identities of the other two were not made clear.

Outbursts of sectarian violence occur regularly in Pakistan. Hard-liners from the Sunni majority who consider Shias to be heretics have targeted the sect with bombs and shootings, with Shia attacks on Sunnis less common, at least in recent years. l

Female students of an Islamic seminary look a burnt building, which was torched in the Friday’s sectarian clashes, in Rawalpindi

‘Up to 12,000’ Taliban eliminated in 2013: UN

n AP, Medan Two volcanoes erupted Monday in Indonesia, prompting warnings for flights and evacuation preparations, official said.

Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province unleashed volcanic ash as high as 8,000 metres, the highest of its eruptions in recent days, said government volcano expert Surono.

The 2,600-metre-high mountain has sporadically erupted since September after being dormant for three years.

Officials raised the alert status of Sinabung to the second-highest level after an eruption early this month, prompting evacuation of more than 6,000 villagers living near its slopes. Its activities have continued since then, sometimes unleashing lava down the slopes.

“It was the strongest eruption in the recent days,” said Surono, who like many Indonesians uses a single name.

Transportation Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said his office has issued a notice Monday for all airlines to avoid routes near the mountain.

Residents in Medan, the provincial capital about 50km northeastward,

who were killed were members of Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat. The Sunnis then clashed with police and Shias, and several shops were set on fire, Khan said.

Authorities responded by deploying troops and imposing a curfew in Kohat district and neighbouring Hangu district, Khan said.

The development came shortly after officials on Monday lifted a curfew in Rawalpindi that had been imposed after the clashes there on Friday, said police officer Mohammad Amir. Army troops will continue to patrol the city for several more days, and there is still a ban on more than four people assembling in one place, said Amir.

The sectarian clash in Rawalpindi occurred when hundreds of Shias were

Up to 12,000 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed, wounded or captured this year, according to a UN report, which said violence in the war-torn nation was at a three-year high.

US-led Nato forces are to withdraw the bulk of their 75,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year after 13 years fighting the Taliban.

The paper for the UN Security Council warned that the insurgents’ homemade bombs, which accounted for 80% of casualties among Afghan security forces, were becoming increasingly sophisticated.

A particular concern was Afghanistan’s developing mining industry, which uses large quantities of high explosives and detonating equipment.

The report warned that the Afghan authorities must strengthen regulatory measures to stop these explosives falling into the hands of the insurgents.

Afghan tribal elders are to meet for a grand assembly or “loya jigra” on Thursday to decide on the future of US troops in the country after 2014.

A similar deal between the US and Iraq collapsed, leading to a complete

pullout of American forces and there are fears a repeat in Afghanistan could lead to chaos and violence if local forces are unable to cope with the Taliban.

The UN report said the government of President Hamid Karzai was facing “elevated levels of violence not seen since 2010.”

Despite this, the report said, the Taliban had not made major gains or won significant popular support, and had suffered substantial losses.

“Losses on the insurgent side are difficult to estimate, but government sources and Taliban internal statistics alike estimate them at between 10,000 and 12,000,” the report said.

There was no independent confirmation of the figures and NATO does not give casualty counts for the Taliban.

Afghanistan has substantial mineral deposits -- up to $1tn worth according to a US survey -- and this wealth is seen as key to the country’s prosperity after more than 30 years of war.

The report, submitted to the UN Security Council’s committee on sanctions, called for a better regulatory framework for mining explosives and detonators to stop them being misused by the Taliban. l

AP

Travel ban hearing for Pervez Musharraf postponed

n AFP, Karachi A Pakistani court on Monday adjourned a hearing into a travel ban against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, his lawyer said, a day after the government announced it would try him for treason.

The former general applied last week to be removed from the government’s “exit control list” that stops him leaving Pakistan, to go and visit his sick mother in Dubai.

Musharraf is facing a host of criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, including for the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.

The Sindh High Court in Karachi put off considering Musharraf’s exit control list application until November 22, after the government’s attorney-general failed to attend court, lawyer AQ Hallipota said.

The decision to try Musharraf for treason, announced live on TV by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, puts the country’s civilian leaders on an unprecedented collision course with the all-powerful military.

It comes after Musharraf was granted bail in other cases against him, stoking rumours a deal for his departure could be imminent. l

Disaster systems failed, Nearly 17,000 punished in China over says Philippines president ‘frugality’ rules: Xinhua

Two Muslim converts due in court over British soldier’s killing

n AFP, Tacloban

Two Muslim converts accused of hacking to death a British soldier in broad daylight on a London street go on trial this week in a case that has shocked many in Britain.

British Prime Minister David Cameron described the killing at the time as a betrayal of Islam and an attack on the British way of life.

Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, a veteran of the Afghan war, was killed on May 22 not far from an army barracks in Woolwich, southeast London, a murder that provoked disgust and fears of an anti-Muslim backlash.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as “multiple incised wounds.”

Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, will appear at London’s Old Bailey central criminal court to deny murdering Rigby, conspiracy to murder a police officer and the attempted murder of a police officer. l

Philippine President Benigno Aquino blamed the slow response to the ravages of Typhoon Haiyan on the total collapse of local government in the face of the storm’s unprecedented destructive power.

“The systems failed,” Aquino acknowledged as he toured areas devastated by the super typhoon that smashed through the central Philippines on November 8, killing thousands and laying waste to entire towns and villages.

“We had a breakdown in power, a breakdown in communications... a breakdown in practically everything,” Aquino told reporters.

The president, who was criticised for the initial delay in getting relief to the worst-hit areas, argued that the local authorities had primary responsibility as first responders.

“But the destructive force of this typhoon was of such a magnitude that even those personnel... were themselves victims,” he said, noting that only 20 police officers in Tacloban – the affected region’s largest city – were able to report to work the day after the storm.

“So we have to admit, there was a breakdown in terms of government and there was a cascading effect,” said Aquino.

The lion’s share of the aid burden has been taken up by a massive global relief effort spearheaded by the United States, which deployed an aircraft carrier strike force to help distribute emergency supplies.

As of Monday the official death toll stood at 3,976 with 1,602 people missing. The United Nations estimates up to four million people have been displaced by the storm, which is among the most powerful ones ever to hit land l

n AFP, Beijing Nearly 17,000 people have been punished for flouting the Chinese Communist Party’s “frugality” guidelines, state media said Monday, in the latest sign of efforts to clamp down on corruption.

A total of 16,699 people have been punished for violating the rules announced last December, the state Xinhua news agency said, citing the ruling party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Their offences including violating a “ban on government building projects, excessive spending on receptions, use of government vehicles for private purposes, unnecessary trips in China and abroad using public money, as well as excessively large wedding banquets,” Xinhua said, citing the commission’s notice.

President Xi Jinping, who took office in March after becoming Communist

A man looks at his mobile as he sits beside a sculpture in Beijing on November 18, 2013.

China’s quick release of a surprisingly detailed national reform plan shows leaders are serious about economic change AFP Party chief in November 2012, has vowed to crack down on corruption at all levels

of government, calling graft a threat to the future of the ruling party. l

n Reuters, London

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Malnutrition stunts growth of children November 11

When you get malnutrition, you get learning disabilities, you get behaviour problems, and you get criminality. None of these social problems are exclusive to the lower classes.

Christina Halasz

W

ith the swearing in of a new multi-party cabinet, the election season is well and truly upon us. It remains unclear whether in the end the BNP will participate in the elections, and what the implication of the party’s non-participation would be.

The government argues that it is proceeding constitutionally and that BNP participation should not determine the acceptability of the polls, whereas the BNP argues that elections without its will not be credible.

Neither position is entirely correct and it is not up Only the people can to either the AL or the BNP determine whether an to determine whether the election is fair or not elections are acceptable or not.

In the final analysis, it will be the Bangladeshi people who will be the ones to determine whether the upcoming elections meet their standard for acceptability and legitimacy.

In making this call, the determining factor for the people will be their assessment of which side has negotiated in good faith with the other and done what it can to bring the other on board.

If the public feels that the AL has stacked the deck to goad the BNP into boycotting elections, it will be more sympathetic to the BNP position, whereas if the public feels that the AL has done what it could to bring the BNP into the elections, and that it is the BNP that is being intransigent, then it is unlikely to respect the BNP veto over proceedings.

Equally crucial in the battle for public opinion which will ultimately determine the acceptability of elections is how the two parties conduct themselves in the run-up. This means that issues such as hartal violence and the independence of the Election Commission will be what will impact the voters.

Ultimately, only the people can determine whether an election is fair or not. They have experienced many political campaigns and permutations of polls, so will know a fair election when they see one.

A man for no season

T

he farce that has been played out with respect to HM Ershad’s participation in the upcoming election looks to have reached a conclusion with his announcement that his party will contest the polls and be part of the multi-party interim polls time government.

As in the past, the good general has played one side off against the other, has gone back on his word with neither embarrassment nor compunction, and has ended up, one presumes, with the side that offers him the better deal. No surprise, there, perhaps.

The good general Nor is there anything has played one intrinsically wrong with the side off against the five-yearly drama to win his other with neither political allegiance. It may be embarrassment nor distasteful, but like it or not, compunction his party commands millions of voters, and in a democracy, he has as much right to form alliances and demand a seat at the table as anyone else. If his status as queen-maker is something that we deplore, then it is something we need to take up with the voters who give him this power.

That said, the inclusion of the JP in the multi-party pollstime government and participation in the election is, in and of itself, little indication of the inclusiveness of the process, just as had he boycotted the proceedings (and may indeed choose to do at some future date), this should in no way have been seen as vindication of the BNP position.

In a democratic country we must respect the JP’s right to participate or not participate in elections, as it sees fit. But the capricious decision of the political chameleon at the party’s helm in no way should impact our assessment of the fitness of proceedings. That is respect he does not deserve.

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Arrests the wrong way to go November 10 As untimely as things may be, law and order still has to be kept. And as far as I can understand, AL tactics seem to be simply to stall and let BNP waste their resources, while at the same time provoking them to keep them going. There are more likely possibilities but stating them all would only be wasting more time reading opinions PS: I don’t support any of them; this is just an observation.

Abir Hossain “It is vital for rule of law that police actions remain, and are seen as remaining, above politics and not partisan in any way.”

Doubt that it’s actually going to happen.

Ahnaf

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ACROSS 1 Ignominy (5) 5 Labyrinth (4) 8 Frank (6) 9 Correct (5) 10 Alone (4) 11 Chemical compound (5) 12 Tree (3) 15 Payment for property use (4) 18 Tarnishes (5) 21 Female pig (3) 22 Small recess (4) 24 In addition (4) 25 Worshipped images (5) 28 Seesaw (6) 29 Golf mounds (4) 30 Water pitchers (5)

DOWN 1 Playing cards (6) 2 Single spot on die (3) 3 Neck hair (4) 4 Extremities (4) 5 Niggard (5) 6 Worships (6) 7 Self (3) 13 Behold! (2) 14 Very small (6) 16 Denial (2) 17 Intertwines (6) 19 Fails to keep (5) 20 Accordingly (2) 23 Flying toy (4) 24 Favourite (3) 26 Early freshness (3) 27 Metal-bearing rock (3)

Parents hold press conference against drug addicted son November 10

Brave parents. Not just for naming and shaming the police SI who’s been harassing them but also because they have not shifted blame from their first-born son – because it is so common to see how in Bangladeshi society the first-born son is the crown prince, the one who does no wrong – so this family’s stand must be praised and recognised. The look of sheer despair is evident on the father’s face. How painful it must for a father to do this. I cannot even begin to imagine.

Naheed

Time for a no-hartal pledge November 10

11 more burnt in mindless arson attacks November 11 Wako This has happened before, is happening now, will happen again in the future! Nobody takes responsibility, and the blame game goes on!

When and how will this stop? I wish someone had an answer! :( SY Please people try to understand, Khaleda is trying to establish democracy by burning us.

It’s the only way, so please be patient while you burn. It’s for your own good. Try to look at the positive picture.

For Awami League, to readily make a pledge not to resort to hartal if it is in opposition shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, AL did make such a pledge during its last tenure in the government.

Unfortunately, we saw “logi-boitha andolon” subsequently, when it was in the opposition.

The problem is, hartals are getting “upgraded” in every opposition phase.

From the logi-boitha, which was relatively non-lethal, now we are facing Molotov cocktails, handmade bombs and infernos. More lethal and taking more lives! While a peaceful hartal remains a democratic means to vent frustrations, the associated murderous actions are not only undemocratic but downright illegal also! :( Waliul Haque Khondker

Children used as human shields by Jamaat-e-Islami November 11

Alo Adhar Jamaat is the enemy of this country. Does this mean they are given the license to do anything?

Whoever arranged this kind of demonstration should be thrown behind bars!

Shopno Lok Poor children! Surely some morons must have influenced them. They (the idiots) must be punished.

MN Ullah Ratan Stop the shame.

Siam Ashraful One kind of child abuser, I guess you could say.

Sheikh Jinat Mahmid Sad and scary! May be the children are just enjoying it, as if it is a game. They are yet to know the reason.

Faisal Mohammad Hossain Sheikh Jinat Mahmid: I truly agree with you. They don’t know how dirty politics is. :-( Faisal Mohammad Hossain They are the ones who are going to suffer.

Batman son of Suparman can’t escape jail in Singapore November 12

In Arabic it reads “bin Suframan,” doesn’t it? I’ll bet the next one he’s going for the “Silver Sufra.”

Neal Durando The guy was trying to pull off a “heroic heist!” Too bad!

Waziuddin Chowdhury This is the greatest name I’ve heard since “Joe Kickass!”

Breadbitten

Be Heard

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

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the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

The people know what counts as a fair election

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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Controversies galore n Mohammad Ali Sattar

AMIRUL RAJIV

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Hey Hay, what can I say?

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n Niaz Alam n enterprising blogger has amended Wikipedia’s entry for the Hay Festival to end with: “The Hay Dhaka Festival 2013 was criticised as a Potemkin village of a nepotistic elite complicit in covering the government’s clampdown on political expression.’’

Not to disparage the writer (although I am going to) as he/she has a memorable turn of phrase, but isn’t this just the sort of controversy that festival organisers dream of?

With just a few words changed around, it is easy to imagine the Daily Mail using similar words to denigrate the 250,000 people who attend the original Hay Festival at Hay-on-Wye in Wales each year. By their very nature, literary festivals all around the world attract something of a self-selecting crowd, and can easily be made to seem removed from most people’s lives.

(Trust me, I’ve been to plenty.)

All organisers can do is make them as accessible and open as possible. By making Hay Dhaka at the Bangla Academy, free of charge, the organisers and sponsors certainly did their part to widen its appeal.

Bear in mind also that the most common complaint heard about Hayon-Wye from middle class literary Londoners is that they spend a fortune in time and accommodation to travel to Hay only to run into lots of other middle class literary Londoners.

Unlike Hay Dhaka, they also have to cope with the vagaries of British weather; whereas the Bangla Academy provides modern auditoria and dry as well as peaceful grounds, a pilgrimage to Hay-on-Wye means trekking the odd field which can easily turn to mud.

So, while the latter brings something of the rock festival to a small far off market town with a population

around 1800, by contrast Hay Dhaka creates an oasis of calm and the charm of a village fete in the heart of the big city. Otherwise, they are very similar in their impressive lineups of renowned authors, discussions, and friendly crowds.

Perhaps it was the contrast in locations that inspired what was potentially the strongest part of the blogger’s critique, (Potemkin village) but this was weakened by the writer’s decision to throw in a kitchen sink list of contentious claims.

It is not as if there are no concerns about government restrictions on free speech in Bangladesh, of course there are. And we certainly have more than our fair share of nepotism and elites.

term Potemkin village.

The whole point of Potemkin villages, which the eponymous Russian military officer supposedly had built for his lover Catherine the Great, was to present a facade of contentment for an empress who wanted to believe that everywhere in Russia was as well off as the facades appeared.

It is hard to imagine anybody making a journey through the bustle of Dhaka as it lives with the trauma of people being burnt to death on buses in hartals, not to be conscious that they were privileged to have the time spare to attend the peaceful environs of the Bangla Academy.

Inevitably, given the venue, a few protestors handed out leaflets lament-

At Hay Dhaka, as at literary festivals everywhere, hardly a discussion went by without one panelist or another referring to world events or audience members talking about ways to improve the human condition

But to infer as the blogger appears to intend, that attending and enjoying a respected international arts festival, sponsored by a diverse array of commercial and cultural organisations, (disclosure - including investors in this newspaper) reflects a “head in the sand” approach by attendees is not only unfair but an inversion of the truth.

At Hay Dhaka, as at literary festivals everywhere, hardly a discussion went by without one panelist or another referring to world events or audience members talking about ways to improve the human condition. This represents the exact opposite of the mindset inferred by the use of the

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at Hay Dhaka noted that the Hay brand is now an established institution and reflected on the commodification of culture as high minded critiques on capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism, were all being sponsored by commercial organisations.

My personal bugbear by the way was a remark by one of the star turns, Tariq Ali, when within a well intentioned criticism of xenophobes in Europe, he praised the skills and work ethic of Polish plumbers in the UK. It wasn’t his aristocratic tone or the factual basis that bothered me (I’m sure he has a big house and knows a good worker when he employs one) but the fact that he did not challenge the mistaken perception that Polish people only have a recent history in the UK. East European migrants go back centuries and even if one neglected that, it’s impossible to avoid the history of the Second World War in Britain or the Polish War memorial near Heathrow.

Such thoughts soon dissipated as I strolled home past the throngs of Dhaka University students enjoying adda on the pavement. The pleasantly lit up glass tower at the Swadhinata Stambha complex in Suhrawardy Udyan perfectly complemented the atmosphere.

As I walked north I couldn’t help thinking this was how the city should be, a place to meet new people and enjoy oneself. Normality needs to be like this for everyone. As I thought this, I rebooted my philistine credentials by thinking of the catchphrase recurring in the most recent book I had actually read, the tennis player Jimmy Connors autobiography “The Outsider” (yes I know he played Sun City): “Isn’t this what the people want, isn’t this what they paid for?’’ l

ing the use of the Bangla Academy for an English language festival. They were friendly souls and it seemed to me that this was just the sort of democratic discourse which at their best, book festivals seek to encourage.

It was a sad coincidence then, that this year’s five-day Bhashnai fair in Tangail had been unexpectedly cancelled the same week. Bangladesh has a rich tradition of creating, embracing and innovating celebratory events and it is important that they are all nurtured and supported.

Of course, it is always easier to be a critic than to create. As at festivals elsewhere, many an audience member

Niaz Alam has worked on ethical business issues since 1992 and is a former vice-chair of War on Want.

It is no surprise, then, that the “Made in China” label that can cause Delhi, Washington, and London to break into a cold sweat now and again is held in higher regard than Cameron’s hypocrisy, coming from the “small island no one listens to”, in Colombo.

The nationalism and misplaced patriotism commonplace in Bangladesh forget that its problems since independence have never been addressed by or for its people. Foreign influence, both direct and indirect, have always prevailed.

It is why the US invites India to solve the Bangladeshi crisis. The end of the Cold War and subsequent, if not simultaneous, rise of Asian superpowers mean there has been a changing of the guards, that Bangladesh answers to new masters now.

India’s counsel will be heeded, its directives unlikely to be challenged by the US. The latter will argue that this is simply the latest episode of outsourcing. Whether it is a case of the US having enough on its plate to not bother with the relatively unimportant Bangladesh, thereby palming it off

on India, or India being the dominant force in the region whose words are gospel, is immaterial insofar as the outcome is concerned. Everybody has a boss.

Those screaming themselves hoarse for change in Bangladesh need to play the game if they wish to realise their dreams. They, however, are novices who have not even entered the arena, whereas those who make up the deeply flawed established order are veterans of it.

The faintest of hopes comes from the knowledge that all seasoned professionals have to retire someday, but that may be clutching at straws.

The government and the opposition, not the people, know the steps of the intricate and imperative dance of appeasing the foreign powers, of choosing the right boss to achieve their sole objective of being seated on the throne.

They gratefully accept the coveted crown of Bangladesh as the fief for being an obedient vassal. The lords, in their turn, care little for how their wishes are fulfilled so long as they are.

Known to the leaders, too, are the

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re we to rejoice, or stand bemused? Jatiya Party (Ershad) quits the grand alliance in style and immediately joins the all-party government. The immediate reaction is that of “no ripples created.” All and sundry knew that the ruling alliance was going ahead with its plan to make convenient provisions under a new garb (all-party government). But all were least bothered about what HM Ershad had to say or do.

Look at what Ershad has been doing. He has been telling the nation that he wants to quit the grand alliance sooner or later. At various meets and forums he creates unnecessary controversies and makes fun of the people and even his own party men. He cares less. Even a few weeks back, JP was about to part with the grand alliance.

He visits Allama Shafi and seeks his blessings, for what we really don’t understand! Allama Shafi requests him to help implement the demands of Hefazat. What a joke! If Allama Shafi is blessing Ershad, what has he left for the BNP and other Islamic parties?

Only a few days back, Ershad declared that at the fag end of his career he didn’t want to die as a traitor. He emphatically held the position that his party was not participating in any polls without participation of all-party, meaning the BNP. And the next day, he says, he preferred to join the poll-time government to save democracy, even if he is looked seen as a double agent.

And at last he quits the alliance to join the AL led all-party government.

Now watch. Ever since he was deposed from power, Ershad has always been an AL ally. There was no reason to think (or dream) that he would someday stand up as a self-determining person and lead a genuine third party.

He was never inside politics, nor was he outside it. He has been only “with” politics. Mere survival was his aim! For he knew he was bankrupt from the day he ceased to remain president.

Is there anything tangible to gossip about regarding the new government?

The best way to define the government is the age old maxim, “old wine in a new bottle.” In other words it is the grand alliance’s characters taking up new roles in new attires. Since we don’t have representations from all parties of the country, it is best not called an all- party cabinet.

Eight ministers have taken oaths.

Interestingly, all the new ministers are lawmakers from the constituents of the Awami League-led grand alliance.

They are: Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed (Awami League), Rashed Khan Menon (Workers Party), and Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Hawlader and Rawshan Ershad (Jatiya Party). The state ministers are: Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Salma Islam (Jatiya Party).

The BNP and its allies gave no reaction. They will think hard about any statement whatsoever. For them, fighting Tareks’s cases is one big preoccupation, and meeting the government’s offensive is another front they have to confront. So BNP is unlikely react fast.

One thing is for sure: The government had planned things well. They created situations (the phone call and dialogue issues) that tempted the opposition to take up street agitations and strikes, making things more convenient for the ruling party to chalk out their plans and implement those.

For now, the ruling party has gained an ephemeral victory by playing the wrong cards.

But it’s also instigating the opposition and the other half of the populace to strike back

Government forces nabbed senior opposition leaders, dragged them to courts, awarded them with police remands, and later transported them to prison cells. They have been gifted with numerous cases to fight against.

By any standards, this is not a welcome sign. This is authoritarianism. That we are hugely gifted in creating bewildering situations and making a mess of things is once more evident from the recent constitutional calisthenics.

We pride ourselves with astonishing smugness. We dilly-dally with serious state matters and documents and strangely we feel proud to exhibit our arrogance and unawareness.

For now, the ruling party has gained an ephemeral victory by playing the wrong cards. But it’s also instigating the opposition and the other half of the populace to strike back any time to bring down this government, for all is not going well for the country. l Mohammad Ali Sattar is Chair, Peace Bangladesh Foundation, a political analyst, and a DT columnist.

Second in Rome n Ikhtisad Ahmed

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avid Cameron has a tendency to overestimate the UK’s standing and importance in today’s world. One can only hope that there was an attempt at humour when he used One Direction as an example of British achievements worthy of pride, to give the rest of his impassioned response to Putin’s jibe earlier in the year any shred of credibility.

His plans to renegotiate Britain’s role in the EU gave way to the sanctioning of a plebiscite on leaving the EU without thinking through the detrimental repercussions of such a split, to quell a backbench rebellion.

His plans for Syria remained a figment of his imagination after being rejected by his own parliament.

The latest episode of Cameron’s miscalculation, derived from pining for the days of the British Empire, comes in the shape of a hollow ultimatum to Sri Lanka. After weakening his hand and attending the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Colombo without any hesitation or negotiation regarding Sri Lanka’s hu-

man rights record, he thought it a good idea to all but demand an independent inquiry into alleged war crimes while enjoying the island’s hospitality. President Mahinda Rajapaksa rubbished it defiantly.

The faux outrage of the world at Cameron’s prior indifference towards the alleged human rights violations overlooks the near 30 years of civilian massacres and ethnic cleansing, punctuated by high-profile assassinations carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Sri Lanka’s government waged war against this organisation, not the Tamil people. It did not endorse discrimination. None of this is to pardon any abuses and atrocities that may have occurred or are currently occurring, but they are facts that need to be remembered whenever anyone expresses horror about the Sri Lankan government’s perceived inaction.

For better or for worse, it had turned to China to aid it in putting an end to the violent Civil War and crush the Tigers. The world’s largest country by population took the opportunity to exert its influence in India’s backyard.

overriding principles of unilateralism, self-preservation, and self-promotion that dictate the actions of every single superpower, each constantly working to consolidate and extend its power.

Those screaming themselves hoarse for change in Bangladesh need to play the game if they wish to realise their dreams. They, however, are novices who have not even entered the arena

Hence, Bangladeshi politicians are exponents of the very specific strand of Marxism that their foreign overlords apply as well: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies,” said Groucho Marx. l Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer. He can be contacted on Twitter via @ikhtisad.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Jonakir Alo participates in four international film festivals n Entertainment Desk Jonakir Alo, a film by director-artist Khalid Mahmud Mithu is participating in four international film festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, Melbourne Internatinal Film Festival and Jaipur Film Festival.

Dhaka Tribune had the opportunity to catch up with the director recently, who informed that the movie was cleared by the censor board last Thursday, after fifteen months of shooting and post production stage.

Mithu also said: “Right now our po-

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Very Graphic: The Art of Storytelling in Graphic Detail Group art exhibition Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge 60 Gulshan Avenue , Road 131, Dhaka Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh Nazir Hossain Time: 11am -8pm Gallery Cosmos-2 Villa de Anjuman Flat No 5A, Road No 6 House No 115 New DOHS Miniature paintings Time: 4pm – 10pm Chhobir Haat Shahbagh, Dhaka

Festival

Urban Youth Festival Goethe Institut 11am - 8pm Dhanmondi 9 Dhaka

litical situation is not that good so, I decided to screen it in the International Film Festivals instead. I am very hopeful about the film as I have worked really hard to make it a good and entertaining film, let’s see what happens next.”

After making waves with his debut feature film Gohine Shabdo, the director is to display and address some bold issues in Jonakir Alo. The National Film Award-winning director is going to portray his criticism on social obstinacy through the eyes of an urban woman. With the backdrop of a “hero dominated” film industry the

progressive director is again coming up with a female character as the lead role of his film.

The story develops with a triangular love story and the viewers will experience a couple of melodious songs shot in some fascinating spots of St Martin’s Island and Rangamati. The film revolves around Kabita, who dreams of working for children’s welfare, and is torn between adopting a child and her responsibility as a daughter-in-law of a conservative family. Most interestingly, the protagonist meets the legendary artist SM Sultan and becomes inspired with his philosophy.

Gazi Rakayet has enacted the role of SM Sultan and Bidya Sinha Saha Mim is the lead actress of the movie. Imon and Kalyan play the two lovers of the heroine.

About her role in the film, celebrated actress Mim shares with Dhaka Tribune, “I always like to work in off-track productions. In this film I have enacted such a character which I have never done before. At a point in the movie, the heroine becomes sick and proves to be unable of being a mother. The struggle begins when she decides to adopt a child and her husband and in-laws oppose her decision.”

Mim said that she had to work really hard to carry out such a bold character.

“The hardest part was portraying the contrast between the emotion and the boldness of a barren woman,” expresses Mim. l

The fine beauty of miniature paintings, an open air exhibition n Salma Jamal Moushum Miniature paintings are beautiful delights in the form of colourful figures and patterns. Introduced to the subcontinent from Persia under Mughal patronage, miniature painting holds an extraordinary place in the history of Indian art. It is a cultural form representing the medieval history of India which now provides us with glimpses of lifestyles of that era. The delicacy of the paintings with their exquisite details of a microscopic world is a pleasure to our eyes as well as our minds.

The artists of Chhobir Haat are always experimenting with various

art forms with general public as their primary audience. Their latest exploration in the realms of miniature paintings led them to jointly organise a 20-day workshop with Monobhumi Art Space on miniature painting.

The outcome of the workshop is a miniature painting exhibition which was opened to the public in the Chhobir Haat premises on November 8. The exhibition features 60 miniature paintings created by 29 participant artists during the workshop.

The artists of the workshop have experimented with the technique, style and content of the miniature art and the results came out as outstanding

examples of contemporary artworks within the forms of miniature art practice. Ranging from old-style miniature portraits of kings and queens to current political themes such as the border issue or political leaders depicted in beautiful illustrative details are in display in the exhibition. The tiny artworks are seemingly disguised as ordinary paintings when seen from a distance, but under a close inspection their wonder will be revealed to you with all their grandeur and beauty.

The exhibition is open at the Chhobir Haat premises from 4pm till 10pm every day and will continue till November 20. l

Television lands award at the Kolkata Film Fest n Entertainment Desk Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s film Television - which depicts a transforming society in the country and a growing conflict between tradition and modernity - bagged the The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) award at the 19th Kolkata Film Festival.

The film is on a winning streak as, recently it won the City of Rome prize for best feature film (jury) at the Asiatica Filmmediale 2013. In addition, it also won the best feature (audience) in popular vote.

Previously, the acclaimed film was nominated to compete at the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The movie has been selected by the Oscar Bangladesh Committee to compete at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Television is based on the theme of tradition versus contemporary in the rural arena. The film is about an old-fashioned character who believes TV is evil. Since he is the head of the village, he restricts the buying of television in the village, and disturbance occurs when a Hindu resident of the area buys a TV set.

The film dared to step out of the norm and feature a non-professional actor in the lead role: Shahir Kazi Huda, an environmental consultant who had done small stints in films and commercials, had to quit his job and undergo rigorous training to create his character, including picking up a local dialect.

Other lead actors of the popular film are Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Mosharraf Karim and Chanchal Chowdhury. l

Will robot cop drama wow viewers or disappoint? n Entertainment Desk

Film

Planes in 3D Step Up Revolution in 3D Bullet to the Head Riddick Titanic (3D) Purno Dhorgho Prem Kahini Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

An artwork Lazy Afternoon by Nazmul Ahsan

Faridur Reza Sagar, from Impress Telefilm Ltd along with Nusrat Imrose Tisha, received award from Gautam Ghosh

Sharon Stone shows interest to work in Bollywood n Entertainment Desk American actor-producer Sharon Stone, currently in Mumbai for a fund-raising event, says she would love to be in a Hindi movie.

“I’d love to be in one of the Hindi movies and, of course, I have seen many films. The language is different, but I like it,” Stone told reporters during the gala event organised by international organisation amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, in Mumbai.

Asked if she had learnt any Hindi, Stone said: “I have learnt to say Namaste.”

“I love Indian food, I love spicy food. It’s fantastic. I got up today morning at 4 and went for a walk, it’s a moment that you feel. It’s a whole different feeling - I went to a temple, it was great,” the actor said.

Asked if she would visit again, she replied: “If you welcome us, we will be coming back. If you want us, we will be back.”

Stone further praises says Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan saying that they are very generous.

Aishwarya and Abhishek hosted the amfAR event Sunday night. l

Futuristic cop drama Almost Human, from JH Wyman and JJ Abrams, premiered recently on Fox. In 2048 Los Angeles crime has risen 400 percent as a wave of dangerous drugs and weapons descended upon the city. In order to cope with the staggering amount of illegal activity, every officer is partnered with a MX-43, which is “an advanced, combat-model android.”

Produced by Abrams and Fringe’s J.H. Wyman, Almost Human follows a futur-

istic odd couple. LAPD Detective - and MX-43s-hater - John Kennex (Urban) is paired with an outdated android model called a DRN, whose name is Dorian (Ealy). DRNs are more human than the MX-43s not only in appearance, but in psychology as they have been equipped with a “synthetic soul,” thus allowing them experience human emotions.

The two officers initially bumped heads, however by the end of the series premiere we see that despite their polar-opposite personalities, they make a great team.

Angelina Jolie receives honorary Oscar n Entertainment Desk Brad Pitt kissed Angelina Jolie after her grand entrance at the film academy’s Governors Awards on Saturday night. Steve Martin pretended to take a seat at the wrong table a few times before finding the right one, while Angela Lansbury beamed as she entered the room.

The honorary Oscar winners, along with Italian costume designer Piero Tosi, were honored at a private dinner at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Tosi wasn’t able to attend, but scores of A-listers did, including Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Diane Keaton, Octavia Spencer, Mark Wahlberg, Kathryn Bigelow, Jennifer Garner, Harrison Ford and Alfre Woodard.

Jolie received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while Martin, Lansbury and Tosi were given honorary Academy Awards for their distinguished careers.

“Receiving the Hersholt award makes me feel like I am on the right path but also reminds me I have more to do,” said Jolie.

Angelina Jolie thanked Brad Pitt, she said: “My love. Your support and your guidance make everything I do possible.”

She also promised not to cry and embarrass her son Maddox, 12, who was at the ceremony with his father to supported Angelina.

She added: “I’m not going to cry, I promise. I’m not going to embarrass you.

“You and your brothers and sisters are my happiness and there is no greater honor in this world than being your mom.”

Almost Human is Fox’s most recent attempt to transform a sci-fi drama into a full-fledged hit. Previous series, Alcatraz and Terra Nova did not make it past the 13-episode mark and Fringe had to fight each and every year in order to make it to season five.

However, Sleepy Hollow, another sci-fi drama from Fox’s new fall season, has managed to achieve both critical and audiences acclaim with its captivating storyline and fun fish-out-of water characters. Can Almost Human do the same? l

ON TV MOVIE 8:45pmFox Movies Premium The Walking Dead Season 4

11:00pm Zee Studio The Hunted

DRAMA 9:30pm Star Plus

Diya aur bati hum

10:00pm Sony Jee Le Zara

COMEDY 11:30pm FX

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

9:00pm Z cafe

Mike And Molly And the 38-year-old star - who also has children, Pax, nine, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, seven, and fiveyear-old twins, Knox and Vivienne with Brad - explained she hopes to make her own mother proud.

Getting teary-wide, she said: “I will do as my mother asked and I will do the best I can with this life to be of use.

“And to stand here today means I did as she asked and if she were alive she’d be very proud, so thank you.”

The actress-director is a co-founder of the Prevent Sexual Violence Initiative and serves as special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. l

NEWS 10:00pm ATN News News Now

11:00pm Ekushey Tv

Ekushey Shongbad

MISC 2:30pm Vh1 Hit factory

9:30pm Discovery Man vs Wild

Did you know?

England have not lost consecutive internationals since June 1993, when Graham Taylor’s side lost to Norway and USA

Sport

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

14 France, Portugal face night of nerves

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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14 Cameroon reach 15 Czechs beat Serbia 7th World Cup finals to retain Davis Cup

Police continue Fed Cup run n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Police continued to show their presence in the final round of the curtain raising tournament of the season as they qualified for the Walton Federation Cup by beating BKSP 2-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In the last edition, the police men had a torrid time as they lost to eventual champions Sheikh Russell 5-0, 3-0 against Mohammedan and drew 1-1 with Rampur Boys. However this time, they will be playing in group C with Team BJMC and Brothers Union.

The Police team also played in the final round in 2009.

Overall experience and better physical appearance made all the difference as the students of BKSP had a bright start but gradually faded away after they conceded two goals. They tried to stage a comeback in the second half with a sleek passing game but could not make their way through the physically well-built Police defence.

To make the scenario worse, they also missed a penalty in the dying minutes.

After a cautious start from both teams, it was Police who took the lead in the 25th minute. Hardworking

forward Johirul Islam made his way through the midfield but his low shot was saved by a diving BKSP custodian Mahafuz Hasan Pritom but the ball slipped out of his grip and unmarked forward Amirul Islam pushed the ball into the net.

Johirul Islam however, scored in the 38th minute, taking control of a square pass from winger Kabirul Islam in the middle of the box and hitting the far post net with an angling shot.

After the change of ends, BKSP tried hard to make a breakthrough. However their effort did not see light. Midfielder Rohit Sarker wasted an opportunity in the 52nd minute as he was a little late to connect with a through pass, allowing Police goalie Azam Khan to dive forward and claim the ball.

Substitute forward Foisal Ahmed’s 25 yarder was coolly taken Azam Khan in the 67th minute.

In the 86th minute, Police defender Sarwar fouled BKSP midfielder Saddam inside the box but Rohit Sarker missed the penalty.

BKSP’s best campaign in the Federation Cup was in 2008 when they beat Sheikh Russell and Victoria and drew with Brothers Union to emerge group champions and reach the last eight. l

Amirul Islam, the Police forward dashes through the BKSP defence in the qualifier of the Walton Federation Cup at the BNS yesterday

MUMIT M

Jamal win rematch, amidst protests Dietz optimistic about n Minhaz Uddin Khan An all-round performance by veteran spinner Abdur Razzak steered Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to a 70 runs victory in the re-match against Brothers Union in the Dhaka Premier League yesterday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board disciplinary committee ordered a rematch between Sheikh Jamal and Brothers after finding no clear direction in the tournament by-laws after the Dhanmondi based club objected to the participation of the suspended Suhrawadi Shuvo during the previously scheduled match between the two sides on November 9. Brothers had won the game by six wickets to confirm a berth in the Super Six phase but the objection by Jamal over Sohrawardi came as the obstacle.

The defeat was not taken lightly by the Brothers’ players and officials.

The club objected to the participation of Razzaq who was vital in Jamal’s victory with both bat and bowl. The national cricketer added 39 unbeaten runs to see Jamal post 282 in 50 overs, losing seven wickets. Later he led the bowling charts, picking up three wickets and restricting Brothers to 212 in 46 overs.

Brothers placed an objection over the participation of Razzak, who was rested by the BCB until November 20.

“We have placed a written complaint to the BCB and the CCDM (Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis) after the game. We also had injured key member like Tamim (Iqbal) but never made him play even though the game was vital for us,” said Brothers Union manager Amin Khan to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Scorecard SK Jamal: 282/7 in 50 overs (Jahurul 69, Crook 56, kapali 3/34) Brothers: 212/10 in 46.2 overs (Nafees Iqbal 62, Kapali 45, Razzak 3/32) SK Jamal won by 70 runs

Tamim was ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this month with a lower abdominal strain and was advised to rest for at least four weeks.

“I had a talk with him (Tamim) before the game and he said he can join if the team wants. But we thought not to put him in more physical danger and violate BCB’s advice,” Amin informed.

However CCDM is helpless over the matter and sources have informed that the protest was weak.

“We hardly have anything to do about this matter to be honest. If a player thinks that he is fit to play, what

can we do in this issue?” said CCDM secretary Rakib Haider Pavel yesterday. Rakib also informed that the CCDM replied to Brothers’ protest saying nothing can be done regarding this issue.

It was learnt that Razzak took permission from the BCB physiotherapist and played the game for Sheikh Jamal and any necessary action for not following BCB’s advice can only be taken by the BCB cricket operations.

“We (BCB cricket operations) didn’t find it to be an offence. Razzak took permission of the national team physiotherapist (Vibhav Singh) and then played the game. He followed the protocol, asked for permission so he never actually violated any regulations,” said BCB cricket operations Sabbir Khan to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. l

women’s team n Mazhar Uddin The new coach of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team Shane Deitz observed the practice of Salma Jessy and informed that there is no reason for Bangladesh to not be among the top four sides in the world but it would take time at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The 38-year old wicket-keeper batsman, who arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday replacing Sri Lankan Oshadi Weerasinghe, also informed that the main difference between the other sides are the power and strength of the cricketers, “It will take time but I don’t see any reason for Bangladesh not to be in the top four sides in the world. The main difference is power and strength. They (the other teams) are professional cricketers and if we can develop our mental

Rebel hockey clubs form forum n Shishir Hoque The hockey arena of the country seems to be heading to a new problem zone as a number of clubs have decided to unite under the banner and formed a forum called Players-Official Unity forum.

The newly formed forum organisers said that their stance against the current executive committee of BHF is to save the country’s hockey from the illegal activities of the BHF’s newly elected committee

Abdur Razzak, the Sheikh Jamal spinner celebrates a wicket at the SBNS yesterday

COURTESY

The Players-Official Unity revealed their upcoming activities that includes distributing memorandums and wearing black badges in silent protest. The forum is expected to send a memorandum to the president of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Air Marshall Enamul Bari.

The deadline day for the six-day long inter-club players’ transfer window is Thursday. Three premier league clubs

BKSP looks forward to provide future stars n Raihan Mahmood BKSP, the lone sports educational institute of the country, hopes to form a sustainable pipeline of footballers in the near future.

Talking to the press after the qualifying match of the Federation Cup that BKSP lost to Police,

Poritosh Dewan, the BKSP coach said they are now having a full quota of new entrants.

“We are making our mark, in the current national U-16 team with 13 players BKSP students in the team.

The institution is now having the full quota of 25 footballers in class VII, the captain of the national

U-19 side Vincent Hemanta Biswas is also a BKSP student. We hope to provide more footballers in the future but I must say, grooming of these footballers is also important, the clubs and the federation should look after it,” said Poritosh Dewan, who played for different Dhaka clubs in his playing days.

BKSP in the past has provided a number of football stars like Masud Rana, Bakhtiar, Hasan al Mamun who dominated their positions in the national team.

Current national players Emily, Zahid are also products of the lone sports training institute of the country. l

Mohammedan, Mariners Young’s Club and Wari Club who earlier boycotted all hockey activities, are not taking part and it was learnt that the clubs are planning to do everything they can to halt the transfer activities.

The newly formed forum organisers said that their stance against the current executive committee of BHF is to save the country’s hockey from the illegal activities of the BHF’s newly elected committee.

The forum organisers will hold a silent protest wearing black badges on Thursday, which will start from Maulana Bhashani National Hockey stadium and end at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

However, the federation officials said they will continue their activities despite the protest from the forum.

The hockey arena has been in turmoil over the last six months as Mohammedan and other clubs refused to take part in the hockey elections that saw the panel, led by Khwaja Rahmatullah, register a clean sweep.

The rebel hockey clubs since then have demanded the resignation of Rahmatullah. l

strength and technique it’s possible to catch them,” said Deitz.

Bangladesh will host the T20 world championship next March where all the women’s matches will be played in Sylhet and the newly appointed coach informed that it would have been better if he had more time for to prepare, “It would have been great if we can get more time toprepare for the World Cup but still we have some time and I am hopeful of a good result. Next three months I will be looking to improve and if we can develop our skills we will be in good shape after three months,” he said.

The former South Australian cricketer informed that he has never seen a match of the Bangladesh team but has studied scorecards and videos and will watch the players at the training camp. l

Nasirul Islam gets 72 hours deadline n Shishir Hoque

Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited yesterday withdrew their claims over the recruitment of defender Shariful Islam who has signed for their rivals Abahani Limited. Earlier, Mohammedan alleged Shariful of taking money from them and joining Abahani.

The dispute between Sheikh Russell KC and Abahani over Mithun Chowdhury is also over as the national forward will stay with the treble winning side and refund the money, Tk100,000, that he took from Abahani.

Another defender Nasirul Islam, who played for Sheikh Russell last season and was benched most of the season due to injury, took money from Abahani to join the club while Russell also claimed to have him in the club. The players’ status committee of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) asked the clubs and Nasir to sit together in the next 72 hours and reach to an understanding.

Earlier, Mohammedan and Sheikh Russell were in a tug of war over Zahid Hossain, Mamun Maih, Shakil Ahmed and Nahidul Islam before the Black and Whites withdrew their claim to wrap the issue over. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic?

Something’s got to give n AFP, Paris

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) and Pontus Wernbloom take part in a a training session at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm yesterday, on the eve of the Fifa 2014 World Cup playoff football match against Portugal AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo won the first battle in his bid to lead Portugal past Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in their World Cup play-off, but the contest between the two is still 90 minutes from a decision.

Ronaldo’s 82nd minute diving header gave Portugal a precious 1-0 lead in Friday’s first leg in Lisbon.

But Sweden defender Jonas Olsson says his teammate Ibrahimovic will be key in Tuesday’s second leg in Solna in a match which will decide who goes to Brazil next year and who stays home.

Olsson rates Ibrahimovic in the same class not only as Ronaldo but also Lionel Messi.

“I’ve been saying that for quite some time and it’s good to see that it’s now being recognised,” he said.

“I think all three are amazing players with different qualities but what makes Zlatan so incredible is that he combines his technical skills with that physical presence of his, which is very unique.

“He’s just amazing. You train with him in the national team and sometimes the things he does are really unbelievable.

I’ve played with some very talented play-

France, Portugal face night of nerves n AFP, Paris

FIXTURES

November 18, 2013 (AFP) - France and Portugal, two of Europe’s footballing heavyweights, face a fraught test of nerves today with their places at the 2014 World Cup finals at stake.

France, the 1998 world champions, are 2-0 down to Ukraine after the first leg of their play-off ahead of the return in Paris while Portugal, semi-finalists in 2006, take a slender 1-0 advantage to Sweden.

Elsewhere, Greece look well set to make the finals in Brazil next year as they enjoy a 3-1 lead over Romania while Iceland, bidding to become the smallest country to reach the World Cup, are 0-0

France Sweden Romania Croatia

v v v v

Ukraine Portugal Greece Iceland

with Croatia ahead of their trip to Zagreb.

France are clearly most at risk of failing to qualify for a major championships for the first time since they missed the boat for the 1994 World Cup. And although Ukraine have lost their previous three play-offs -- against Croatia (1998), Germany (2002) and Greece (2010) -- they arrive in Paris with a twogoal cushion from the first leg, a psychological advantage and facing a home

team smarting from a pasting in the press.

The manner of their defeat in Kiev on Friday prompted the sports daily L’Equipe to write off their chances.

“In terms of what we saw on Friday night ... the French would do well just to draw the second leg,” offered the newspaper.

And if they are to overcome the Ukrainians, they will have to do so without Laurent Kolchensky at the heart of their defence after the Arsenal defender was sent off late on following a clash with Oleksandr Kucher as tension spilled over.

France coach Didier Deschamps, who admitted his side were undone by Ukraine’s sheer physicality in the first

leg, said: “We’ve got to put them under pressure, to go at them. On Tuesday, we’ve got to be in the battle. We have the ability to turn it round and that’s what we have to do.”

In Solna, near Stockholm, things are more finely poised, with Sweden taking on Portugal in the second leg a goal down from Lisbon, predictably scored late in the game by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Swedish hopes rest even more squarely than ever on the broad shoulders of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, especially with his phenomenal goalscoring record at the Friends Arena, where he has found the net 10 times since the stadium was inaugurated a year ago.

Elsewhere, Greece should complete

the formality of qualifying in Bucharest, having racked up a surprising 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Piraeus.

But little Iceland travel to Zagreb with their improbable World Cup dream still just about alive after a desperate draw in the goalless first leg in Reykjavik.

That match saw them fight a constant rearguard action against relentless waves of Croatian attacks after being reduced to 10 men for the last 40 minutes after defender Olafur Skulason was sent off.

Yet they still have everything left to play for and should they achieve the unthinkable and win in Zagreb they would become the fist nation with a population of under a million ever to reach the final stages of the competition. l

ers in England but for me Zlatan is on another level all of his own,” said the West Bromich Albion defender.

Ronaldo has won almost every club honour on offer including the Champions League, league titles and domestic Cups in England and Spain although one thing he does have in common with the Swede and Messi is that none of them have won the World Cup. The 28-year-old was on the losing side for Portugal during the shock Euro 2004 final defeat against Greece, while he provoked controversy at the 2006 World Cup when England striker Wayne Rooney was red carded, before his side were eventually beaten by France in the semi-finals.

Four years later, he managed only one goal as Portugal fell at the hands of eventual champions Spain in the last-16.

Ibrahimovic, top scorer in French Ligue 1 last season, and originally with the option of playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina or Croatia, has only appeared at the 2006 World Cup where Sweden were beaten 2-0 by hosts Germany in the second round.

He came up against Ronaldo in qualifying for the 2010 edition, where Portugal edged Sweden out of second spot with Denmark winning the automatic berth and Portugal booking their ticket via the play-offs. l

Human rights must be respected: Fifa n AFP, Geneva FIFA insisted yesterday that human rights were the bedrock of football and must be respected by all tournament organisers, as Amnesty International slammed the situation in 2022 World Cup host Qatar.

“FIFA has made very clear in previous official statements and in communication with human rights organisations in the past that it upholds the respect for human rights and the application of international norms of behaviour as a principle and part of all our activities,” the world football governing body said in a statement. It said that it understood and shared Amnesty International’s efforts to ensure social justice and respect for human rights. l

England, Germany test WC credentials n AFP, London England’s World Cup ambitions will be placed beneath an unforgiving spotlight today when they tackle arch rivals Germany at Wembley Stadium in their final

fixture of 2013.

Roy Hodgson’s side saw a 10-game unbeaten run ended in disappointing fashion by Chile on Friday and in Germany they face a team who dropped only two points in qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The game is the latest chapter in a story that has conjured up some of the most enduring images in the sport’s history, from England’s triumph in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley to the Germans’ spot-kick success in the European Championship semi-finals on the same turf 30 years later.

The sides have been evenly matched in recent encounters, with three wins apiece in the six matches that have taken place since the turn of

the century.

Their last encounter, however, was crushingly one-sided, with Germany running out 4-1 victors in a last-16 tie at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that left deep scars on the English psyche.

Germany ultimately went out in the semi-finals and they also fell in the last four at Euro 2012, but England midfielder Frank Lampard believes that Joachim Loew’s men are now an even more formidable prospect.

“They’ve got a very, very strong international squad, not just the XI,” said the Chelsea midfielder.

“Their style of play is very good. I think they’ve improved.”

Lampard was famously denied a goal in that 2010 Bloemfontein encounter despite his lobbed halfvolley crossing the line with England 2-1 behind, but the 35-year-old says Tuesday’s friendly will not be a revenge mission.

“Coming home from then, there was a very negative feel; not just press and public, but in the squad itself,” he said.

Scolari backs England to impress at Brazil n AFP, London

Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari believes England could be one of his country’s main rivals when the South American nation stages next year’s World Cup finals.

Former Chelsea manager Scolari has thrice been in charge of teams that have knocked England out of major tournaments - with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup and then with Portugal at the 2004 European Championships and 2006 World Cup. But Scolari, who was once courted for the England job but is now in his second spell as Brazil manager, pointed out that two of those matches were decided by penalty shoot-outs.

And he said Roy Hodgson’s side, bidding to become the first England team to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, could yet prove something of a surprise package.

“England are one of the teams who could shine at the World Cup,” Scolari told Monday’s edition of Britain’s

Guardian newspaper.

“Roy is doing a great job in bringing new players to the team and is overseeing a generational change. England have a good team and I think they are much better technically these days.

“People say I’m a specialist in defeating England but the victories with Portugal against them in Euro 2004 and in Germany in 2006 were on penalties, really tight games.

“You know how tense shoot-outs are.

“I think England are missing the confidence to take that step that finally puts them among the top four,” he added ahead of their friendly against Germany at London’s Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

Scolari, 65, was in charge of Chelsea for just seven months in 2008 but he insisted his time with the London club had not put him off the idea of a return to the English Premier League.

“If I had to return, I would do it,” he said. “Chelsea are a spectacular club and I still want them to do well. l

“We were disappointed with ourselves and I think we’ve got a bit more of a positive feel back again now.”

He added: “They’re our rivals, and not in a terrible way – it’s a good rivalry.

We’ve got a lot of respect for them, but we want to beat them. There’s a lot at stake for us.”

England manager Hodgson has pledged to field his strongest possible side after making several experimental adjustments against Chile.

Joe Hart, Ashley Cole and captain Steven Gerrard are among the players expected to return to the starting XI, while Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has declared himself fit following a foot injury.

Germany drew 1-1 with Italy in a friendly in Milan on Friday, after a run of four consecutive wins in which they had scored 14 goals.

Like Hodgson, Loew has only one further friendly game lined up before he announces his squad for the World Cup -- against Chile in March – but injuries have forced his hand for the meeting with England. l

Egypt seek miracle n AFP, Abuja Egypt will attempt to engineer a World Cup miracle by overturning a 6-1 deficit against Ghana yesterday and snatch a spot in the finals in Brazil next year.

FIXTURES Egypt v Ghana Algeria v Burkina Faso With Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon already assured of their places, there are only two remaining African slots up for grabs with Burkina Faso taking a slim 3-2 lead to Algeria in the second leg of their play-off.

Egypt have been lifted by Al Ahly’s eighth CAF Champions League win at the expense of South Africa’s Orlando Pirates this month with Mohamed Aboutrika providing the inspiration.

Aboutrika scored in both legs and he will again be looked upon to spark off a miraculous comeback against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan, who scored twice in Kumasi in the 6-1 first leg mauling, will not dismiss Egypt’s chances of a great comeback. l

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o (R) hugs teammate Jean Makoun after he scored against Tunisia during a 2014 FIFA World Cup second leg qualifying football match in Yaounde on Sunday AFP

Cameroon reach 7th World Cup finals n AFP, Yaoundé

Two second half goals from Jean Makoun saw Cameroon to a comfortable 4-1 win over Tunisia to book their place in the World Cup finals for an African record seventh time on Sunday.

In the Yaounde sunshine, Cameroon wasted no time in taking the advantage after last month’s goalless first leg in Rades.

There were just three minutes on the clock when Pierre Webo pounced on a defensive mix-up by the Tunisians, firing across goal, the ball bouncing in off the post.

But it took a majestic goal on the half-hour by Benjamin Moukandjo to give the Indomitable Lions breathing space as Tunisia paid the price for sitting back and letting the home side carry the game to them.

Moukandjo, brought in to add width and pace on the left, produced just that, collecting the ball and with

a burst of speed, glided through three defenders and fired an unstoppable shot past Moez Ben Charifa from the edge of the area.

But his over-exuberant celebrations, which saw him rip off his shirt and race in to the crowd, brought him a booking.

“We are very happy,” said Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia. “We have had some difficult years but this is the result of having a strong group.”

There seemed no way back for Tunisia and they did nothing in the first half to test Charles Itandje in the Cameroon goal, whose heroics in Rades set them up for the second leg.

The visitors’ only significant foray forward saw Wissem Ben Yahia swing in a free-kick from the right side only for the unmarked Syam Ben Youssef at the back post to head over with the goal at his mercy.

Tunsia’s Dutch coach Ruud Krol, who was drafted in at the last minute to fire up the team for the return leg, appeared to have pulled off a masterstroke by throwing on striker Ahmed Akaichi as a half-time substitute for Amine Chermiti.

Just four minutes into the half Akaichi produced a perfect finish, chasing a long through ball and powering a first-time volley beyond the reach of Itandje from the edge of the area.

But Makoun restored the Lions’ two-goal advantage, rising above the defence to head home Benoit AssouEkotto’s corner in the 65th minute and wrapped it up four minutes from time when he slotted home the rebound after substitute Eric Choupo Moting’s shot hit the post.

“It was a deserved victory,” said Cameroon defender Danny Nounkeu.

“We were focussed on the goal ever since we started training.

“To play in a World Cup is important for every player. The Tunisian team were good but there was only ever one winner.” Cameroon are the third African team to qualify for Brazil after Nigeria and Ivory Coast sealed their spots on Saturday.

The final two play-offs take place on Tuesday with Ghana holding a 6-1 lead over Egypt while Algeria host Burkina Faso trailing 3-2. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Djokovic sees record streak as boost for 2014

QUICK BYTES

Shamael wins boys tennis title Top seed Shamael Chaudry of Great Britain emerged as the champion of the boys’ single event in the Bangladesh International Junior Tennis Championship at the National Tennis complex yesterday. Shamael defeated Chen Tin of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 1-6, 7-6. Earlier on Sunday, Yan Lee of Taipei clinched the girls’ singles title. Meanwhile in the boys’ doubles, Chinese Taipei pair Tin Chn and Chen-Shan Kuo claimed the title beating Nikshep Ballekere Ravikumar and Sahil Gaware of India 6-3, 1-6, 10-8. Chinese Taipei won four events to top the chart while Great Britain, India and Uzbekistan won one apiece. A total of 94 players from 22 countries took part in the tournament.

–SH

n AFP, Belgrade

Naryanganj, CTG win in youth hockey

Naryanganj and Chittagong registered victories in the final round of the Agrani Bank National Youth Hockey at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. Naryanganj beat Rajshahi Division by 3-0 goals with Emon scoring a brace and Apan netting the other. Shahidul and Azimuddin scored one apiece against Dhaka steering Chittagong to a 2-0 win at the same venue. In the other match of the day Rajshahi and Faridpur drew 2-2. Mustafiz and Moinul netted one goal each for Faridpur while Taher of Rajshahi scored one and the other one was an own goal.

–RM

Hazard advises team mate De Bruyne to leave Chelsea Belgium and Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has advised national and club team mate Kevin De Bruyne to leave the English premier league side in order to get enough match practice before next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil. Since his return from a loan spell at German side Werder Bremen, De Bruyne, Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying for Brazil, has started only four matches for Chelsea and hasn’t played a full 90 minutes in any. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attended Belgium’s 2-0 defeat to Colombia on Thursday, with De Bruyne a pale shadow of the dominant figure he was last season.

– Reuters

West Indies U-19 to visit next month The West Indies Under-19 cricket team will arrive on December 2 to play a seven-match ODI series against Bangladesh U-19. The West Indian youths will play their first match of the series on December 6 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Though it is not confirmed yet, but the third and fourth match of the series might be played at the newly built stadium in Cox’s Bazar. Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium in Fatullah will host the fourth and fifth match while the last two ODI’s of the series will be played at Sher-eBangla National Stadium. Bangladesh U-19 side toured West Indies last month to win the seven-match ODI series 4-3.

The Bangladeshi youths are currently attending a training camp at Mirpur as preparation for the upcoming series.

- MU

Red Bull trumpet record 1.9 sec pitstop

Amid all the champagne celebrations for Sebastian Vettel’s eighth win in a row in Austin on Sunday, Red Bull still found time to claim another Formula One record for the quickest ever pitstop. The team said after the U.S. Grand Prix that Australian Mark Webber had stopped in the pits for less than two seconds. “The team’s car data recorded Mark as being stationary for just 1.923 seconds, an incredible feat,” Red Bull said on their website (www. infiniti-redbullracing.com). Teams have been shaving fractions off pitstop times all season, with lightning-fast changes of tyres becoming a part of the show now that the more time-consuming process of refuelling is banned. When McLaren set a record of 2.3 seconds at the 2012 German Grand Prix it seemed close to the limit but Red Bull said in Malaysia this year that they had done a 2.05 turnaround on Webber’s second stop.

– Reuters

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket Sri Lanka v New Zealand 1st T20I Sony Six 2:00AM FIFA World Cup Qualifier 2014 Sweden v Portugal Star Sports 4 2:00AM International Friendly England v Germany

15

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Czech Republic's (L-R) Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, captain Vladimir Safarik, Lukas Rosol and Jan Hajek pose with the Davis Cup trophy after winning their final tennis match against Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday REUTERS

Czechs beat Serbia to retain Davis Cup n

AFP, Belgrade

The Czech Republic retained the Davis Cup after Radek Stepanek beat outclassed Serbian youngster Dusan Lajovic in the decisive fifth final rubber in straight sets on Sunday.

The 44th-ranked, 34-year-old Stepanek beat the 23-year-old Lajovic, world number 117, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 in under two hours, handing the Czechs an overall 3-2 win.

On the hardcourt of the Belgrade Arena, the Czech Republic, playing the third Davis Cup final in five years, scored a ninth straight victory in Davis Cup ties.

His counterpart Bogdan Obradovic admitted that his emotions were “mixed” as 2010 champions Serbia “tried to do our best” despite being weakened considerably.

Lajovic replaced 36th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic, out with a heel injury, and Serbia also missed 76th-ranked Viktor Troicki over a doping ban.

‘Ferrari’ Djokovic left in garage: Stepanek n AFP, Belgrade Radek Stepanek led the Czech Republic to victory in the Davis Cup final and said he was surprised that Serbia neglected to select Novak Djokovic for the crucial doubles.

“It’s as if they left a Ferrari in a garage. And it cost me ten euros – I bet he’d play,” said Stepanek.

World number two Djokovic won both his singles rubbers in straight sets in the weekend final against Stepanek and Tomas Berdych.

But he sat out the key doubles on Saturday where Berdych and Stepanek comfortably saw off Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic.

The decision proved crucial as the Czechs won the final 3-2 after Serbia’s rookie singles player Dusan Lajovic was defeated in both of his outings. l

Lajovic, who has lost all four ATPlevel matches he has played this year, started the decisive rubber in high spirits, breaking Stepanek’s very first serve.

But his enthusiasm was short-lived as the Czech veteran, betting on patience and changing the rhythm of his play at will, broke Lajovic’s next two serves to win the set.

Clad in his lucky blue t-shirt emblazoned with a lion design – which Andy Murray’s mother Judy described as “staggeringly bad” on Saturday – Stepanek raced to take the next two sets in style.

Casting desperate looks around him, Lajovic let his game crumble and allowed Stepanek to enjoy the ovations from a noisy group of Czechs in the soldout arena.

Lajovic admitted he found it hard to predict Stepanek’s moves.

Earlier, Serbia’s world number two Novak Djokovic forced the decisive rubber as he beat seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 for his 24th

Australia have a better strategy to defeat England in the Ashes this time round after learning hard lessons from their defeat earlier this year, paceman Peter Siddle said Monday.

Michael Clarke will be looking to reverse his team’s fortunes in the first Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday after their 3-0 defeat on English soil, and Siddle said the pace trio of the recalled Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and himself were “ready to go”.

“Our plans have got a lot stronger,” Siddle told reporters.

“We know what to do differently.

We know how to approach it and we’ll attack it hard.

“We know there’s a few players we

Misbah denies revolt in Pakistan team n AFP, Karachi

Under-fire Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq has denied suggestions of a revolt against his leadership after his team’s poor performance against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates.

Misbah’s position as one-day captain was seen as under threat after Pakistan suffered a 4-1 ODI defeat in the UAE, but he will retain the position for a short limited-overs series in South Africa.

In a rare television interview in which the country’s cricket board chief also grilled him, Misbah denied that his team lost because some players were at odds with his captaincy.

“I don’t believe in that. If I have done bad against anyone, then I can expect (dissent), but if I am honest with them and help them then I don’t think such a thing will happen,” he said on a Geo television programme.

Najam Sethi, appointed in June as interim chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in June, clarified that he was asking questions as a TV anchor

and not in his capacity as chairman.

His role as a television moderator has been widely criticised as a conflict of interest by Pakistani media.

Misbah defended his captaincy style which has been widely criticised as too defensive.

“Every player has his own style.

Inzamam-ul Haq’s general posture was never aggressive, he never looked aggressive but that doesn’t mean he never hit sixes, he was an aggressive batsman. Don’t I hit sixes, don’t I use aggressive fields?” he questioned.

Misbah, whose 1,119 runs makes him the highest scorer in one-day cricket this year, refused to accept criticism of the pace at which he scores his runs.

“My strike rate is okay. I have scored most runs this year but they still criticise my style and my strike rate,” he said.

Misbah will join the team in South Africa on Monday.

Pakistan play two Twenty20 on November 20 and 22 and three onedayers on November 24, 27 and 30. l

Tendulkar feared career was over after tennis-elbow surgery n Reuters, Mumbai Recovering from a tennis-elbow injury was the most difficult phase in Sachin Tendulkar’s illustrious cricket career with the master batsman fearing he would never be able to hold a bat again after surgery in 2005.

The diminutive Indian bid an emotional farewell to the sport at his home Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, signing off as cricket’s most prolific run-scorer after a sparkling career that spanned almost a quarter of a century.

Tendulkar was first diagnosed with the career-threatening injury in 2004 but continued to play through pain before being operated on a year later in London.

“It’s always very difficult when you suffer injuries. Coincidentally my in-

Australia stronger for Ashes loss: Siddle n AFP, Brisbane

victory in a row.

Propelled by a noisy home crowd, Djokovic relied on his serve, while Berdych tried to indulge him in long exchanges, combining a fast forehand with a wicked sliced backhand.

“It was very emotional, both of us got into the match with a lot of pressure because of the importance of the game,” Djokovic said. Djokovic earned ten break points against none for Berdych in the first set and finally converted his fourth set point for a 6-4 lead.

He went on to take the second set in tie-break after letting off some steam and destroying a racquet, and before taking the third set in style, 6-2.

In Friday’s singles, Djokovic beat Stepanek 7-5, 6-1, 6-4, and Berdych then saw off Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

On Saturday, Berdych and Stepanek won the 14th of their 15 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together as they swept Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). l

Novak Djokovic failed to lead Serbia to a Davis Cup triumph on Sunday, but a streak of 24 straight victories left him upbeat for next season in which he vows to focus on Grand Slam titles.

The world number two swept the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych in straight sets, but his two points did not stop the Czechs from winning their second straight Davis Cup trophy, 3-2.

Still, the wins number 23 and 24 lifted Djokovic’s spirits after a season in which he won a single major -- the Australian Open -- and lost the top post in ATP rankings to Rafael Nadal.

“It’s an incredible number considering the fact that I lost three big matches in three months -- Roland Garros (semi-finals) , Wimbledon (final) and the US Open (final),” said Djokovic.

“But I managed to bounce back and managed to play my best tennis in the last two and a half months,” he added.

“I’m full of confidence on the court and hopefully I can carry that into the next season.”

The 26-year-old said he hoped the streak that brought him titles from Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and London was not over. “I hope I’ll be able to retain that at the beginning of next season,” said Djokovic. l

need to work on and no doubt we’ll have them covered starting on Thursday.”

Johnson is set for his first Test since Australia’s loss to India in March, while Harris will be hoping to build on his success in the last Ashes series in which he was Australia’s best bowler, taking 24 wickets in four Tests.

“I think his experience is going to be great throughout this series,” Siddle said of Johnson.

“I just think his knowledge of the game, his skill -- he’s taken over 200 Test wickets, that’s quite impressive -so to have Mitch back around the unit and obviously Ryan Harris, the way he bowled over in England was outstanding, so I think we have a nice strong attack ready to go.” l

juries were not common ones,” Tendulkar, sporting his navy blue India team blazer over a white shirt, told reporters on Sunday.

“There used to be different goals every time I made a comeback. It’s not possible to recover earlier than scheduled by just working harder in the gym.”

The thought of giving up the sport for good crossed Tendulkar’s mind as he tried to get back on the field after the surgery. “It took four-and-a half months to recover after the surgery on my tennis elbow. The doctor asked if I would be able to play competitive cricket at all,” he said.

“I could not even lift my son Arjun’s plastic bat. Kids aged 10-12 years had come to the ground for fielding the day I went to bat for the first time against a season (leather) ball. l

Vettel wins US Grand Prix for record 8th successive victory n AFP, Austin World champion Sebastian Vettel won a record eighth successive race when he triumphed in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.

The German Red Bull driver beat Michael Schumacher’s previous record of seven wins in a row in the same season set in 2004.

France’s Romain Grosjean, in a Lotus, was second with Red Bull’s Mark Webber taking third.

Vettel’s win was not only his eighth in a row, but also his 12th of the season and the 38th in his short, but brilliant career of just 119 races.

It was also his first in America leav-

ing only the Hungarian Grand Prix as a venue where he has yet to triumph.

Asked on the victors’ podium by American Mario Andretti, the 1978 world champion, to explain his secret for success, Vettel admitted: “I don’t know how I do it, if I’m honest.

“It’s impossible to know what to say, but I want to say thanks to the crowd.

It’s unbelievable to have more than 100,000 here on Sunday in only our second year. The city is going crazy.

“The car was fantastic. It was a bit tight at the start, Romain had a good start and I didn’t know if it would be enough.

“We had good pace though and could control the gaps for eight wins in

a row. My debut was in 2007 in Indianapolis so to come back last year, podium, and win today -- it’s fantastic.”

Starting from pole, the 26-year-old German controlled the race from lights to flag with a consummate demonstration of skill and speed at the wheel of his equally dominant Red Bull.

If he wins the year-ender in Brazil next Sunday, he will equal Schumacher’s 2004 record of 13 in a season with Ferrari.

It was in that series that Schumacher reeled off his now-beaten record of seven straight wins as he delivered his seventh and final drivers’ title success.

That remains another statistical landmark for Vettel to pass. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

HEALTH SECTOR PROMOTION SPREE

900 doctors made professors in a week n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) of the health ministry on Sunday promoted a total of 472 doctors to assistant and associate professors on special mercy of President Abdul Hamid, among which 236 were promoted to assistant professors and the remaining 236 to associate professors.

The promoted doctors have been asked to submit their joining letters to the secretary of the health ministry and to the heads of the respective institutions they were posted to.

According to sources, the promoted

doctors would be working at their previous workplaces until further notice. The promotion of the doctors who were currently taking training or education courses at home or abroad would be effective after the completion of the courses.

Just a week ago on November 11, more than 411 doctors were promoted to the posts of assistant and associate professors in line with the recommendations of the ministry’s promotion committee. Among promoted, 343 received assistant professor posts and 68 associate professor.

So far, a total of more than 2,500 assistant and associate professors had

been promoted by the DPC during the current tenure of the Awami Leagueled government.

Dr Shah Newaz, director (administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services, has confirmed the mass promotion to the Dhaka Tribune.

“All the promotees have been working in various public medical colleges and health centres for 10-20 years. But due to the previous complex system of promotion through the Public Service Commission, they had been deprived. Before the DPC was introduced in 2011, only about 50 doctors got promotion in five years.

These doctors have been promoted on

president’s special mercy so that no question may arise,” Dr Shah Newaz said.

The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that around 50-60 doctors have been left out of the promotion spree because the reportedly failed to submit proper documents in support of their work experiences.

According to tradition and existing arrangements, assistant and associate professors must have certain years of teaching experience and publications in international journals to become associate and full professors respectively.

Like many times before, there are allegations that the latest promotions too

were made on political considerations.

Sources said most of the promotees had been involved with the Swachip, the Awami League-backed doctors’ organisation.

There are also allegations that many of the doctors, especially the associate professors, who got promotion on Sunday, had got another promotion only about six months ago.

When asked why so many teachers had been given promotion, DGHS Director General Dr Khandakar Sifayetullah said all the doctors were given promotion lawfully. They were deprived of promotion for a long time. “I think we have done the right thing.” l

Over 15% Bangladeshi factories fail Wal-Mart safety inspection n Tribune Desk

Little hope of saving Mosharraf’s eyesight n Ashif Islam Shaon Doctors have advised a photojournalist, whose right eye was seriously injured by a shotgun pellet fired by police on Saturday, to go abroad for better treatment as soon as possible as hope of saving his sight is fading.

Mosharraf Hossain, 25, who works for Focus Bangla, a photo-news agency, was hit in the eye when he was taking pictures of police action against picketers who blasted crude bombs in the capital’s Bangshal area on the eve of the opposition’s 84-hour hartal.

He was admitted to the National Institute of Eye Science and Hospital, where he was given primary treatment and underwent a minor operation.

We hope, the problem over money will be overcome soon.

But time is short

More than 15% of the factories in Wal-Mart Stores Inc WMT-0.03%’s initial round of safety inspections in Bangladesh failed their audits and had to make improvements to keep doing business with the giant retailer.

Wal-Mart said most of the three dozen factories were able to correct the problems or are in the process of doing so. One seven-storey factory, for example, had to knock down an illegally built eighth floor, the retailer said.

The company stopped doing business with two factories that had failed the safety audits.

Wal-Mart will release the results of 75 inspections on its website and add others as they are completed, a step no other major Western retailer has taken.

‘We’ve spent $4m on these audits, and we’re not done yet.

There’s a lot of progress left to be made’ says Jay Jorgensen, Wal-Mart’s global chief compliance officer The company currently does business with more than 200 factories in Bangladesh, and has pledged to inspect all of them. It previously said it would begin posting results of the inspections by last June.

Wal-Mart is making the moves to get a handle on its supply chain in the wake of deadly disasters at factories that did work for the company and other retailers.

The company, based in Bentonville, Ark, is among the largest buyers of apparel made in Bangladesh, and its relentless focus on cost has made it a target for critics of working conditions in the impoverished nation.

In the past the retailer had not regularly named the factories from which it buys clothing. But an April building collapse that killed more than 1,100 Bangladesh garment workers and deadly fires at other facilities focused international attention on the way western retailers obtain cheap clothing.

“We’ve spent $4m on these audits, and we’re not done yet,” Jay Jorgensen, Wal-Mart’s global chief compliance officer, said in an interview. “There’s a lot of progress left to be made.”

During an October safety audit at Epic Garments Manufacturing Co, a factory near Dhaka, engineers hired by Wal-Mart checked on new red fire doors and outside staircases that had been installed to make evacuation easier in case of a fire and to prevent flames from spreading from stock rooms to factory floors.

“Fireproof doors and materials weren’t even available in Bangladesh,” Epic Group Chief Executive Ranjan Mahtani said in an October interview at his plant. “We had to fly them in from abroad and teach local manufacturers how to make them.” He said he had already spent $300,000 on safety improvements to meet standards set by Wal-Mart and other Western retailers.

The published audits will not offer specific findings about conditions at the factories, such as whether there are too few exits or if a building’s columns are capable of bearing the weight of the structure. Rather, they will give a general risk assessment based on a letter grade that ranges from A through D. Wal-Mart said it would stop production at factories that receive a D rating, though the factories have a chance to correct the problems and go through another assessment. l

HARTAL ARSON VICTIM

Dirty water coming from the city’s Niketan is polluting the Hatir Jheel water. The photo has taken yesterday

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Doctors said they were unable to remove the pellet from his eye, but hoped that Mosharraf would regain his eyesight after some specialised surgery, which can be done abroad.

But the operation has to be done in the shortest possible time to be successful, they added.

The hospital released him on Wednesday, but his relatives were yet to manage the money needed for his treatment abroad.

His uncle, Ataur Rahman, told the Dhaka Tribune that Mosharraf’s doctor, Golam Mostafa, had suggested taking the patient to Shankar Netralaya Eye Hospital in Chennai, India.

“The doctor said his eye should be operated on as soon as possible, and the whole process will need more than Tk200,000. At such short notice, it is almost impossible to arrange the amount,” Rahman said.

He pointed out that Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu and State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanok had assured them of financial help for better treatment when they visited Mosharraf in hospital after the incident.

However, they are yet to receive any assistance as promised.

“We hope, the problem over money will be overcome soon. But time is short,” the uncle said. l

More than 1,600 ‘Governments should go for sustainable energy sources’ accused in arson and murder cases in Barisal n Probir K Sarker from Warsaw

Panicked villagers want security and rehabilitation n Our Correspondent, Barisal More than 1,600 people were accused in two cases related to the death of a college student and retaliatory arson attacks on the houses and temples of a Hindu village in Barisal.

Four of the murder accused – out of 13 – were arrested so far. In addition, 21 people, have been arrested following the attack on Friday, were accused in the arson case.

We lost everything, even our homes in that attack.

Our children cannot go back to schools. We cannot sleep in peace. There is still high tension amongst all The two cases were filed separately on Sunday afternoon and early Monday – days after the murder of a Muslim student named Parvez Gazi and attacks on four others that left them injured allegedly by Hindu youths on Thursday, which triggered a hostile attack on the Hindu-populated Namo Para in Char Aicha village the following day.

At least 16 houses and two temples were gutted and properties worth Tk10m damaged during the attack.

On Sunday, Selim Gazi, father of Parvez and a Barisal City Corporation official, filed a case with the metropolitan magistrate court accusing nine named and four unnamed individuals of killing his 20-year-old son.

The nine named were Pavel, 18, son of Sangkar Das, Dhiman, 20, son of Dhirendra Chandra Haldar, Pijush, 18, son of Gopal Chandra Haldar, Sagar Das, 20, son of Bimal Das, Sohag, 20, son of Sangkar Das, Suman Das, 18, son of Dham Das, Ruhidas Pal, 30, son of

Ghatak Pal, Bimal, 35, father unnamed, and Rajiv, 16, son of Nasir Molla.

Devranjan Haldar, a victim of the arson attack, lodged another case yesterday in connection with the Friday incident with the Bandar police station, accusing a total of 1,600 unnamed individuals.

Police confirmed the news of arresting all 25 individuals, including the father of one accused in the murder case.

All of them were sent to jail. “We are trying to arrest other accused in the cases,” Rezaul Islam, officer in charge of Bandar police station, said.

Meanwhile, about 30 panicked villagers of Char Aicha yesterday met with Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, the local lawmaker, at his Kawnia residence to seek his support during the post-attack period.

They expressed fear of further violence in the aftermath of the arrests of the accused, saying many affected families had left the village fearing a repeat attack.

“We lost everything, even our homes in that attack. Our children cannot go back to schools. We cannot sleep in peace. There is still high tension amongst all,” said Arati Rani Haldar, an affected villager.

The villagers sought security for their lives and households and rehabilitation of the homeless during their meeting with the lawmaker, who in turn promised to do what was needed.

Mojibor also distributed Tk5,000 and one shari amongst each of the 24 affected female villagers.

Meanwhile, political and community leaders along with local government officials have visited the spot following the incidents, to ease the tension and convince the escapees to return to their homes. l

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Changes (UNFCCC) executive secretary said every country, including the developing ones, should go for sustainable energy sources to generate electricity.

Christiana Figueres made the remark at a press conference yesterday as the Dhaka Tribune asked for her opinion on the ongoing construction of a 1,320MW power plant near the Sundarbans – a joint venture project between Bangladesh and India – defying environmental rules, directives of the High Court and resistance of environmental groups and individuals.

She was also asked if there was an internationally recognised body to look into projects that bypass environmental concerns.

“There is no such effort or such authority. Every country is sovereign and establishes [projects] the way it wishes.

“In particular with developing countries, our most challenge right now is how they pursue their sustainable development; which means, in their pursue

of energy and supplying growing energy demands, the developing countries must pursue a path of energy which is accessible, reliable and environmentally responsible. And we will expect those three different characteristics that all countries would pursue,” she elaborated.

Former IPCC scientist Bert Metz, who is also a fellow of the European Climate Foundation, did not see any hope that such a mechanism could be introduced.

“Those things might be possible. But I could foresee very difficult problems to reach there. It comes from the UNFCCC from one sense that keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degree was agreed by every country.

“In that aspect, building new coal power plants is not compatible with the agreement,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Asked, Christoph Frei, secretary general of the World Energy Council, said direct intervention into any technology did not prove to be successful. “It usually creates side effects.”

He suggested that such high carbon emitting industry could possibly be reg-

ulated by carbon pricing.

“If the UNFCCC comes up with an agreement over carbon price then it will be the best way to manage the coal plants.”

“Shooting at a single technology is not an effective solution. Go for a market solution. Find a price for carbon dioxide to real issue you want to address and that will solve the issue in a much more effective way,” he said.

Meanwhile, yesterday, a draft version was released by the co-chairs of the ADP and it would be discussed through the next days. The COP19 is supposed to deliver a paper that allows (as a legal framework) further negotiations towards COP21 in Paris in 2015.

She also said there could be some good news on the progress of talks regarding concrete efforts on adaptation and mitigation tomorrow.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join the climate talks today at a side event on “The UN system as a catalyst for climate action: Promoting sustainable low-carbon development.” l

ITU telecom world starts today Zahidul Islam, from n Muhammad Thailand The ITU Telecom World 2013, a worldclass forum of interactive debate and lively show floor of showcasing telecom products and investment opportunities, begins today in Bangkok, Thailand aiming at embracing the “change in a digital world.”

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN body, organises the four-day long summit for the first time at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Top leaders in the ICT and telecommunications industry from around the globe, both in public and private sectors, related solution and service developers and providers, content developers, thought leaders, academics are participating in the summit.

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh is taking part in the event. They will make presentations on the spectral development of the country and future development. They will also participate in several policymaking meetings.

The ITU says: “A revolution is underway in the ICT sector. The shift to IP-based services is shaking the foundations of communication systems as we know them. We need to understand this change, work out how to grow with it and benefit from it.”

The ITU Telecom World is the platform for high-level debates, knowledge-sharing and networking that is essential to drive the success of the global ICT community and address critical world socio-economic challenges.

The event fosters constructive debate on policies, strategies, models and mar-

kets; facilitates connections between individuals, ideas and industry players opening up partnership and investment opportunities; and highlights the importance of collaboration and cooperation across the sector.

It is the one conversation that matters, with the people that matter, with the power to make a real difference in the world.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra inaugurated the Connect Asia Pacific Summit yesterday. The prime ministers of New Zealand, Pakistan, Tonga and Vanuatu, and the deputy prime minister of Cambodia, among others, attended the programme.

UN Secretary-General Bank Ki-moon sent a message on the occasion while ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Toure, spoke at the inauguration programme. l

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B2 Malaysia to take good care of Bangladeshi workers: Razak

B3 DSE turnover hits two-month high

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

Telcos owe BTRC over Tk26bn n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was not able to collect more than Tk26.11bn outstanding revenue as of June from different telecom service operators.

A report the regulator recently sent to the telecommunication ministry has revealed the figure. Dhaka Tribune has managed to obtain a copy of it.

BTRC chairman Sunil Kanti Bose however described the amount as not big compared to the total collection.

“As we collect Tk80-100bn revenue every year, some can remain as outstanding. The current outstanding figure has accumulated for last several years,” he said.

The report also shows that the government-owned land phone operator Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) owes around Tk16.25bn to the BTRC. There was another Tk5bn outstanding revenue from some 28 private international gateway (IGW) operators.

The total due of the Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators has stood at Tk2.11bn while that of International Internet Gateway (IIG) amounts to Tk3m. Most of the IGW and ICX operators have not paid their annual licence renewal fee.

Some BTRC officials said the total outstanding revenue from the operators could increase further in the next quarter after June.

According to the report, the state-run mobile operator Teletalk didn’t pay Tk315.8m while the private oldest operator Citycell owes Tk1.45bn.

Of the Citycell’s amount, the 2G licence re-

Telcos’ PSTN Tk293.4m

ICX Tk2.11bn

Others Tk293m

IGW Tk5bn

Wi-Max Tk446m

BTCL Tk16.24bn

Mobile Operators Tk1.77bn

newal fee is Tk1.3bn and others are spectrum charge of three quarters and revenue sharing of two quarters.

The two Wi-Max operators- Banglalion and Qubee- owe respectively Tk294.8m and Tk151.2m to the telecom regulator.

Besides, some 12 private land phone

(PSTN) operators have not paid Tk293.4m.

Different private companies, internet service providers (ISPs) and some government departments have not deposited spectrum charges amounting to Tk241.8m, said the BTRC report On July 24, the Dhaka Tribune applied for

information on outstanding revenue under Right to Information Act. BTRC provided information on August 21 but mentioned Tk18.8bn as total outstanding figure as of June.

The regulator concealed the amounts due from of IGW, ICX and IIG operators. l

NBR to be ‘tough’ against defaulters n Syed Samiul Basher Anik National Board of Revenue will take “tough stance” against those who fail to submit income tax returns within the scheduled time of December 1, said a high official.

NBR member Md Bashir Uddin Ahmed said if any taxpayer fails to register with E-TIN by the end of December will also face action such as penalty.

Another official said those failing to submit returns within the deadline of December 1 will be served show cause notices after the deadline expires.

“We will take tough stance and strict measures including the imposition of penalties.”

In the fiscal year 2012-13, the NBR imposed around Tk95m as penalty against 18,500 who evaded taxes.

Of the amount, the revenue body realised Tk10.5m only, showed data.

Deadline of return submission has been extended twice for individual taxpayers.

According to another NBR official, the submitted returns will be reviewed soon after the deadline and action will be taken against those failing to register with E-TIN by the end of December.

“Of a total of 1.7m TIN holders, only 725,000

have registered with E-TIN so far,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

“NBR will collect information from Election Commission website after December 31 and take strict measures against those without E-TIN holders but having incomes.”

The official said the tax evaders will be brought under E-TIN but have to face a penalty of Tk10,000-Tk50,000.

NBR on July 1 introduced E-TIN system to boost revenue collection, reduce hassles and prevent issuance of fake TINs. Under the system, NBR has now an automated database for TIN holders where existing and new TIN holders will have to register with the E-TIN within December 31.

With this process, the existing 10-digit TINs will be replaced with 12-digit ones.

For the FY2013-14, the revenue body set a target to collect Tk1.361tn revenue from income

tax as the introduction of E-TIN is expected to help it meet the target.

According to the Income-tax Ordinance 1984, the NBR can fine Tk1,000 penalty at a time plus Tk50 per day if any TIN holder fails to submit tax return within the deadline.

However, the ordinance also allows taxpayers to seek extension of time and maintain the system.

Another official hoped: “The full implementation of automation system will improve the situation of tax collection.”

He also said there is a notion among many people that if one holds TIN certificates, he or she will have to pay taxes.

“This is due to information gap. Only those who have taxable income will pay tax.”

“TINs without taxable incomes are marked with ‘nil’, but submission of returns is mandatory,” the official added. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

Malaysia to take good care of Bangladeshi workers: Razak n Tribune Business Desk Malaysia yesterday assured it would look after the Bangladeshi workers so they do not face adverse situation there.

The assurance came from visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Bin Razak during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The two leaders led their respective country’s delegations at the meeting.

“Our government will look after the Bangladeshi workers so that they do not have to face any hassle in Malaysia,” the Malaysian Prime Minister told the bilateral meeting. He stressed on government to government dialogue for the welfare of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.

Razak said Malaysia needs more workers and Bangladesh could be a good source for it, reports UNB. Calling the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur ties as very good, he said that in future, the ties will strengthen further.

Talking about more investment in various sectors of Bangladesh, he said the Malaysian businessmen are very keen to invest in Bangladesh. “They are looking potential sectors to invest in Bangladesh.”

Razak wished success of Bangladesh Prime Minster in the upcoming general election and the continuation of the democratic process in the country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Malaysia to invest more in Bangladesh in various sectors including power sector for mutual benefit of the two peoples.

Mentioning that Bangladesh has one of the most investment-friendly policies in South Asia, she welcomed Malaysian investment in attractive sectors like power, telecommunications, urea fertiliser plants, infrastructure development and cement production.

Hasina said: “I’m happy that our two governments are negotiating to construct a 1320 MW coal-based power plant in Cox’s Bazar. I welcome more investment from Malaysia for this sector.”

Bangladesh-Malaysia bilateral meeting in Dhaka yesterday She sought more Malaysian engagements for building of bridges and highways on build, own, operate and transfer basis.

Prime Minister’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed the reporters after the meeting.

The Prime Minister also urged the Malaysian government to recruit more workers from Bangladesh.

“We’ve developed a pool of semi-skilled and skilled workforce ready to work in any area of the economy. I would request you to kindly consider them when recruiting for the development activities (in Malaysia),” she said.

Talking about the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, Hasina said that these Bangladeshi workers are contributing to the socioeconomic transformation of both the countries.

She thanked the Malaysian government for regularising more than half of them under the 6-P Programme and for resuming the employment for Bangladesh nationals.

She also urged the Malayasian government to remove non-tariff barriers in importing goods from Bangladesh by Malaysian businessmen.

The Prime Minister said removal of such non-tariff barriers would enhance market for quality Bangladeshi products like RMG, jute goods, leather and leather goods, footwear and ceramic products in Malaysia.

She said the friendship between the two brotherly countries continued to grow

stronger by the day with increasing cooperation in many spheres of socio-economic relations of the two peoples.

Mentioning Bangladesh and Malaysia as liberal Muslim countries with common religious and cultural ethos, Hasina said both the countries are characterized by religious and social tolerance and cultural cohesion.

She said Bangladesh strongly believes in regional cooperation and is playing an important role in promoting economic integration among SAARC, D-8 and BIMSTEC member states.

“Bangladesh could be a gateway of cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN countries.”

Meanwhile at a separate meeting, Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid urged the Malaysian government to recruit more manpower, especially skilled ones, from Bangladesh, saying they would contribute to the economies of both the countries.

He made the call when visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Bin Razak paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.

Hamid expressed his happiness over the resumption of recruiting Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia under a government-to-government mechanism that reduces migration cost.

The Malaysian Prime Minister emphasised on increasing people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and Malaysia for further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. l

Dollar rally slows in Asian trading n AFP, Tokyo The dollar’s surge ran out of steam in Asian afternoon trade yesterday, despite a regional equities rally and following tepid US economic data.

The greenback fetched 100.06 yen in Tokyo, down from 100.12 yen in New York Friday afternoon.

The greenback had risen to as high as 100.40 yen before cooling off in the afternoon.

“I had expected the dollar to gain to around 100.50 yen on the back of the strength in the Asian stock market, but it hasn’t,” Osao Iizuka, head of forex trading at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The euro edged up to $1.3497 from $1.3493 while it weakened to 135.01 yen against 135.16 yen.

On Friday the New York Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing business conditions index unexpectedly fell in November while, in October, US industrial production dipped and import prices fell.

The data came a day after Federal Reserve chair nominee Janet Yellen told a Senate panel confirmation hearing she would not consider ending the bank’s $85 billion a month

asset-purchase programme as long as growth remained soft and unemployment high.

Dealers were keeping an eye on eurozone current account data due later Monday.

The dollar was mostly weaker against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It slipped to Sg$1.2464 from Sg$1.2477 on Friday, to 62.65 Indian rupees from 63.12 rupees and to 31.56 Thai baht from 31.58 baht. l

New law for travel agencies passed n Tribune Business Desk The parliament yesterday passed the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Bill, 2013 to establish a registration authority for ensuring transparency and skilled management of travel agencies.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruque Khan moved the bill in the House.

When the new law will come into force, nobody would be able to run a travel agency without having a valid registration certificate. If anybody violates the law he/she would have to face a maximum imprisonment of six months and a fine of Tk50,000, reports BSS. With the passage of the bill, the existing Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Ordinance would be scrapped.

Besides, three bills were placed in the parliament for bringing further amendments to the relevant laws. The bills were- Comilla University (Amendment) Bill, 2013, Barisal University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Vitamin-A Enriched Edible Oil Bill, 2013.

Parliamentary standing committees on Legal Aid (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and third report on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs were placed in the House.

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Adv. Sahara Khatun placed the annual report of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for 2012-13 in the Jatiya Sangsad.

Earlier, the sitting of the Jatiya Sangsad resumed at 4.44 pm yesterday after a 10-day of recess with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. l

Shahjalal Bank holds board meeting n Tribune Business Desk Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited held 182nd meeting of the Board of Directors at its head office in Dhaka on Sunday.

The board’s vice-chairman Syed Nurul Arefeen presided over the meeting, said a press release. The board approved a number of investment proposals and discussed various issues relating to policy matters of the bank. l

Pubali Bank holds workshop on forex transaction n Tribune Business Desk Pubali Bank Ltd held a workshop on “Foreign Exchange Transaction and Reporting” at its head office in Dhaka recently.

The bank’s international division organised it, said a press release. Managing Director of Pubali Bank, Helal Ahmed Chowdhury was present at the function as chief guest while General Manager of International Division Md Hasan Ali presided over.

The workshop was aimed at giving an appropriate idea to the participants about online import management, export observation process, returns of Bangladesh Bank and central instructions on expansion of trade. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Import drops by 8% in October n Jebun Nesa Alo The country’s imports declined by 8.17% to US$2.8bn in October compared to the previous month, showed Bangladesh Bank data released recently.

The import of capital machinery and food grains fell substantially due to the ongoing political unrest as reflected in the overall imports, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

The import remained sluggish since several months as big entrepreneurs reluctant to expand their business ahead of the general election, he said.

However, the October import was 8.6% higher than $2.5bn of October last year, according to letter of credit settlement data of Bangladesh Bank.

The rice import declined to $19.54m in October from $23.75m in September.

In October, wheat import decreased to $116.21m from $173.38m in September while edible oil (refined) dropped to $32.19m from $53.47m and pulsed declined to $29.51m from $44.46m, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.

The central bank figures show the import of capital machinery in October fell to $110m from $147m in September.

The LCs (letter of credit) opened in the month of October dropped by 11.23% to $2.7bn from $3.14bn in the previous month.

In the last fiscal year, the country’s total imports dropped to $32.35bn from $34.81bn of the previous fiscal. l

Oil prices ease ahead of Iran nuclear talks n AFP, Singapore Oil prices dipped in Asian trade yesterday on profit-taking and ahead of fresh international talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, analysts said.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in December, fell 31 cents to $93.53, while Brent North Sea crude for January was also down 31 cents at $108.19.

“Iran is likely to be one of the factors,” Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, told AFP. “Also I think it’s a case of a relatively subdued beginning of the week news-wise,” he added. “There’s a little bit of profit-taking as we head head into a new week.”

Negotiations between Iran and the socalled P5+1 - Britain, France, the United States, Russia and China plus Germany - restart in Geneva on Wednesday after the last round failed to seal a deal.

Top diplomats insisted they were closing in on an interim agreement that would see Iran, a huge producer of oil, curb or freeze parts of its nuclear programme for some relief from crippling sanctions.

Israel and the West suspect Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its uranium enrichment programme, which Tehran insists is entirely for peaceful purposes. l

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

DSE turnover hits two-month high n Tribune Report Stocks registered modest rise for the fourth consecutive session yesterday with turnover climbing two-month high.

The benchmark DSEX index rose 23 points or 6% to end at 4,279, while the blue chip index DS30 added 27 points or 2% to settle at 1,489. The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, gained 49 points to 8,370.

The DSE turnover stood at Tk5.8bn, an increase of more than 16% over the previous session and highest since September 19.

Amid no remarkable positive political developments, investors seemingly highlighted confidence and looked beyond the turmoil with optimistic market outlook, pursuing active investment strategy in search of higher risk adjusted return, said IDLC Investment.

Among the major sectors, power posted the highest rise over 2%, followed by non-banking financial institutions 1.8%, pharmaceuticals 0.8% and telecommunications 0.2%.

Heavyweight banks faced further correction of 0.95%. Most of the textile companies moved up, contributing 21.7% of the total market capital.

“Buying pressure amplified with stock holding pressure is the cause of high market growth and at the same time reflecting a hope that is lingering among investors that the markets positivity might prolong further,” said Zenith Investment.

Gainers beat losers strongly as out of 289 issues traded, 192 gained, 73 dropped and 22 remained unchanged.

Generation Next continued to become top turnover leader with shares worth Tk308m changing hands, followed by Meghna Petroleum, RN Spinning, Padma Oil, Bengla Windsor Thermoplastics Ltd and Summit Purbanchal Power Company Ltd. l

3

Paramount Textile debuts today n Tribune Report The share trading of Paramount Textile will begin at both the stock exchanges today.

The company will become the 32nd textile company to be listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. The issue was oversubscribed by 10.35 times with applications worth Tk8.7bn received against the issue size in terms of value of Tk840m, according to the issue manager.

Most applications came from general investors with their portion being subscribed 12 times, followed by mutual funds 19.55 times, non-resident Bangladeshis four times and affected investors four times.

The fully export-oriented woven fabric manufacturer floated 30m ordinary shares of Tk10 each at an offer price of Tk28, including a premium of Tk18. IDLC Investment is acting as the issue manager of the initial public offering.

According to the company’s unaudited financial statements, its net profit in nine months of the current year stood at Tk125.55m, a drop of 7% from the same period a year ago.

During the period, its earnings per share stood at Tk2.28, which was Tk2.45 in the same period of the previous year. l

Bangladesh participates in ITU telecom world 2013 n Tribune Business Desk A high level delegation from Bangladesh is taking part at the ITU Telecom World 2013 begins in Bangkok, Thailand today, aimed at embracing the changes in a digital world.

Leaders of the ICT industry from around the world, both public and private sectors, related solution and service developers and providers, content developers, thought leaders, academics and related UN organisations are participating in the four-day summit, reports BSS. The Bangladesh delegation comprised of both government and private sectors representatives would make presentations on the sectoral development of the country and future development. They will also participate in several policy meetings.

Thailand for the first time is hosting the 4-day summit. The theme of the Telecom World is “Embracing Change in a Digital World.”

About the theme of the summit, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said: “A revolution is underway in the ICT sector. The shift to IP-based services is shaking the foundations of communication systems as we know them. We need to un-

derstand this change, work out how to grow with it and benefit from it.”

ITU Telecom World is the platform for high-level debate, knowledge-sharing and networking that is essential to drive the success of the global ICT community and address critical world socio-economic challenges.

The event fosters constructive debate on policies, strategies, models and markets; facilitates connections between individuals, ideas and industry players opening up partnership and investment opportunities; and highlights the importance of collaboration and cooperation across the sector.

It is the one conversation that matters, with the people that matter, with the power to make a real difference in the world.

Meanwhile, The Connect Asia Pacific Summit opened today at the same manners.

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra inaugurated the occasion. Prime Minister of New Zealand, Pakistan, Tonga and Vanuatu and Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, among others, attended the programme.

UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon a sent message on the occasion while Hamadoun I. Toure, Secretary General of ITU spoke at the inauguration programme. l

Banks asked to help implement NIS n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has asked the commercial banks to provide support for implementation of the National Integrity Strategy (NIS) to establish integrity in the state and society.

The government has formulated the NIS to establish corporate governance in the society and state, said a Bangladesh Bank statement issued yesterday.

It said Bangladesh Bank has formed a committee, headed by Deputy Governor Nazneen Sultana, to implement the strategy. The committee has already provided the guideline to the banks.

The NIS is expected to offer a vision to the development and implementation of reforms to promote better governance and combat corruption.

The strategy would highlight the need for public and private sector reforms, involve public awareness campaigns, and seek international cooperation, said the statement. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

German regulator: Too many banks survived crisis n AFP, Frankfurt

A cashier counts rupee notes inside a bank in Mumbai

REUTERS

India pushes to develop money markets n Reuters The era of easy money for Indian banks may be coming to an end. Unlimited access to cheap overnight funding from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was tightened mid-year as part of measures to support a plunging rupee, and now the central bank is keen to use the restrictions to help it deepen money markets.

The ability of banks to continuously tap funds through the central bank’s Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) lowers their need to raise cash in the markets, which has thwarted the development of a proper money-market yield curve.

That seems set to change under new Governor Raghuram Rajan, who has pledged to deepen and develop India’s financial markets. As a first step, he wants to encourage use of new term repos.

Sources say the RBI will deliberately go slow in removing the cap on funds banks can borrow via the LAF, even as it unwinds other emergency measures imposed to prop up the rupee.

Having a money-market yield curve would help investors and companies better price risk across a range of maturities, and should make markets more liquid.

“Globally, many central banks rely more on term lending than overnight lending. We also want to move to that kind of a system where the reliance on overnight borrowing from the RBI will be reduced to the minimum. This will help in building a smooth yield curve,” said an official aware of the issue.

Under the LAF, banks borrow overnight funds at the central bank’s main lending rate, the repo rate, currently at 7.75%.

The facility is intended to help lenders smooth over daily fluctuations in their liquidi-

ty needs, but banks have instead used it to borrow easy money, and fund longer-term lending by repeatedly rolling over their collateral.

That changed since mid-year when the RBI limited borrowing first to 1% of bank deposits and then to 0.50%, about 400bn rupees daily, in measures to tighten the supply of rupees and support its exchange rate.

“LAF is a liquidity management tool. But banks are using it to fund their loan book and they are not very actively mobilising deposits,” said a second official familiar with the central bank’s thinking.

Banks can also raise funds from 7-day and 14-day term repurchase agreements (repos) that were launched in October. The first three auctions have attracted strong demand, and the RBI can eventually add more tenors to create a yield curve Estimates are that banks now have to raise at least about 800 billion rupees each day outside of the LAF. Some of that can be tapped via other central bank facilities, including an export refinance window where funds are borrowed at the repo rate, and the Marginal Standing Facility, emergency funding at a more punitive rate of 8.75%.

Banks can also raise funds from 7-day and 14-day term repurchase agreements (repos) that were launched in October. The first three auctions have attracted strong demand, and the RBI can eventually add more tenors to

create a yield curve.

Having become accustomed to unlimited low-cost cash, the shift to market-based funding has led to some volatility as banks adjust to the new environment.

The Mumbai Inter-Bank Offer Rate, or MIBOR, an overnight rate that determines the pricing of short-term debt such as commercial paper, is moving in a range of about 100 basis points, compared with 10 to 20 basis points in mid-July.

Last week, MIBOR was at 8.80%, higher than even the 8.75% the RBI charges for emergency funding. But bankers acknowledge the long-term benefits of creating a yield curve.

“We are using the term repo facility. We are not facing any issues due to the repo cap.

The RBI should gradually move to longer tenors to cover the duration till the 91-day T-bills. It will eventually help the development of an interbank term money market,” said NS Venkatesh, treasurer at IDBI Bank.

It is not just a matter of commercial banks changing their practices. The Reserve Bank may also need to change some of its rules before the money markets can fully develop.

One of the major issues seen restricting the interbank term repo market is a set of regulations preventing collateral pledged in a repo being reused by the party providing the funds, a common feature in more developed markets.

“The RBI is trying to wean away banks from using the overnight window to support their balance-sheet activities,” said R. Sivakumar, head of fixed income at Axis Mutual Fund.

“The ultimate success will be if they can develop a term money market outside the central bank’s window.” l

Too many European banks survived the financial crisis, the head of Europe’s banking regulator said in a newspaper interview yesterday.

“I’m convinced that too few European banks were dismantled and disappeared from the market,” European Banking Authority (EBA) chief Andrea Enria told the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in an interview.

“Barely 40 (disappeared), compared with around 500 in the United States,” he said.

“Governments wanted to keep their banks alive and that has hampered the healing process” of Europe’s financial system, Enria said.

The EBA organised a series of stress tests for European banks in recent years which have been criticised as being too lenient.

Europe is currently in the process of setting up a new banking union to strengthen its financial system. And Enria is favour of putting in place truly Europe-wide structures, he told the Financial Times.

“You need European decision mechanisms rather than having always a committee-type of decision in a crisis,” he said.

“Committees in a crisis don’t work because you have conflicts.”

And he added: “They give us responsibilities but they put so many national safeguards on every task we need to do that sometimes I am concerned we will not be able to perform [them].” l

Japan business delegation leaves for China n AFP, Tokyo A Japanese business delegation left for China yesterday, officials said, in the largest mission since a heated territorial dispute soured diplomatic and trade relations between the Asian giants.

The 178-strong delegation was to arrive in Beijing Monday evening on a four-day visit, with the group hoping to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping or Premier Li Keqiang, according to a spokeswoman for the Japan-China Economic Association, which is leading the delegation.

The delegates include executives from blue-chip Japanese giants including Toyota’s honorary chairman Fujio Cho, and the head of Japan’s biggest business lobby group.

“Relations between Japan and China are tough, but there is no change in our mutually dependent business relationship,” Cho told reporters in Tokyo last week.

The annual tour, which has been running for decades, was put on ice last year as relations hit a new low with a dispute over the ownership of an East China Sea island chain setting off riots and a consumer boycott of Japanese brands in China.

That came after Tokyo nationalised some of the archipelago, which is believed to harbour vast natural resources below its seabed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

5

China reform plans lift world shares to 6-year high n Reuters World shares hit a near six-year high yesterday, boosted by signs of ambitious economic reform in China and the prospect of extended stimulus in the United States.

China’s offshore share market put on 5.7% in its best day in two years after the Communist Party in Beijing late last week unveiled surprisingly bold economic reforms in which it said the market would play a decisive role.

UBS upgraded H-shares - Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong - to “overweight” on a view the string of growth-friendly reforms announced after a party plenum should help them outperform Asia excluding Japan for the next few months.

After five weeks of steady gains, European shares .FTEU3 saw a subdued start to the week. Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI and France’s CAC 40 .FCHI opened between 0.1 and 0.3 percent lower.

The focus, however, remained on Asia and the hopes that China’s planned changes could make its - and therefore the global economy healthier in the coming years.

Domestic Chinese shares in Shanghai rose 2.9 percent .SSEC and Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS added 1.4 percent to lift MSCI’s world share index .MIWD00000PUS to its highest level since the start of 2008.

“China is obviously important long term for the market so it is going to welcome that they have a ten-year plan, that it is sensible, that it is not too radical and that it is a move towards reform,” said Joe Rundle head of trading at ETX. Analysts at ANZ said the planned changes represented “the biggest freeing up of China’s economic policy since the 1990s” and, if implemented successfully, would “substantially reduce the downside risks to China’s economy.”

In the currency market, the dollar was back below 100 yen, but at 99.94 was not far from its two-month high of 100.43. It was steady against the euro, with the common currency worth $1.35, having edged slowly higher for the past week or so as tapering talk

has weighed on the dollar.

Last week, the woman expected to be the next Federal Reserve chief, Janet Yellen, sounded in no rush to scale back stimulus, reinforcing market speculation that any move was more likely in March than December.

This is another important week for US monetary policy with several central bankers due to speak, including outgoing Fed chairman Ben Bernanke on “Communication and Monetary Policy” on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Fed releases minutes from its October policy meeting, which will get trawled for hints on when it might start winding back its asset-buying program.

“If Fed officials think a December tapering is a realistic possibility, some hints to that effect would presumably make their way into the minutes this week,” said Michelle Girard, chief US economist at RBS. “Just making clear that policymakers were open to taking action in December if the economic data showed the impact of the government shutdown was limited would likely suffice to shift expectations.”

Girard still believes March is the more likely window for a move, if only because bond markets are typically very thin in December so a taper then could risk major dislocation.

The Bank of Japan holds a policy meeting on

Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to maintain its ultra-loose policy. The BOJ has been the most aggressive of any major central bank in its asset buying, putting downward pressure on the yen in the process. <ID:L4N0J3061> Tokyo’s Nikkei .N225 was little changed after touching a six-month peak earlier on Monday. Last week, the index amassed its biggest weekly rise in four years.

In the European debt market, Italian bonds edged higher before a debt exchange aimed at easing its 2015 and 2017 repayment burden with prospects of ultra-easy ECB monetary policy countering worries about budget slippage. l

An employee of a foreign exchange trading company looks at monitors in Tokyo

REUTERS

Latin America grows increasingly hooked on US fuel imports n Reuters Despite its own vast oil reserves, Latin America has doubled its reliance on the United States for fuels like diesel and gasoline over the last five years to keep its economies humming - and the dependence is growing.

The culprit is an outdated refining network that has not been upgraded to add capacity as growth has surged across much of the region.

Though Latin American leaders spent much of the last decade opening markets in Asia and in some cases distancing themselves from Washington, the rising fuel imports show they still must tap the United States for crucial supplies.

Latin America’s dependence on the United States for refined fuels is growing at the same time that U.S. reliance on foreign oil falls thanks to an unprecedented boom in domestic production and falling fuel demand.

While Latin American countries have

planned to build some new refineries, they are a long way from coming to fruition.

The 12 Latin American countries that are the biggest importers of US fuels have bought an average of 1.36 million barrels per day in 2013, twice as much as 657,000 bpd in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

At the same time, crude shipments from Latin America’s top producers - Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Guatemala - to the United States have fallen 18.6 percent since 2008 to 2.4 million bpd.

Only Colombia has posted significant gains.

The fuel import bill for the 12 countries was about $65bn in 2012 at spot prices, eating up about 6% of their export receipts, according to data from central banks. That was up from 3.4% in 2008.

The uptick was primarily caused by booming demand for fuel - from new electrical generation plants that burn diesel to new car sales in some countries that grew at dou-

ble-digit annual clips. Imports are expected to rise even more.

“Most of the planned new refineries in Latin America have not even finished the detailed engineering design,” said Ramon Espinasa, leading oil and gas specialist for the Inter American Development Bank. “A regional recession is not expected in the short term, so a projected 20-25% rise in fuel demand must be fully met with imports.”

Latin American fuel demand is expected to reach 9 million to 10 million bpd by 2020 after rising 2 to 2.2% a year for the next seven years, according to the International Energy Agency, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the EIA. The region’s demand growth would be the world’s fastest after Asia and the Middle East.

Even though projected annual upticks in demand would be slower than the 2.6% annual rises posted since 2004, all new Latin American demand must be covered by imports because the region lacks surplus refining capacity.

Added imports are costly because most of them are made via tenders on the open market - meaning countries cannot easily negotiate preferential prices, traders said.

The region aims to limit its growing dependence on fuel imports by adding more than 2 million bpd of new refining capacity from 2015 to 2021, according to industry experts.

But construction work on numerous plants has been delayed several times as costs escalate into the billions of dollars.

Plans to modernize existing refineries have also been postponed.

Among numerous failed or delayed projects in the region, Ecuador’s new 300,000 bpd refinery on the Pacific Coast has run into a series of financing problems despite partnerships announced with Chinese and Venezuelan companies.

With a budget of $12.5bn, construction has advanced only 1.6% since ground was broken five years ago, according to state-run Petroecuador’s website. l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

DSE Broad Index: 4279.43 ⇑ 0.54%, Turnover: 5799.61 M.Tk ⇑ 16.24%, PE: 12.99 Turnover 6,397.04 MTk . ⇑ 16.02% 18 November 2013 MarketCap. 2,056.47 BTk. ⇑ 0.61% CSE All Share Index: 13283 ⇑ 0.59%, Turnover: 597.43 M Tk. ⇑ 14.00%, PE: 12.83 Combined Turnover Leader

% of TTL

Avg. P

354.98

5.55

32.73

10845430

Meghna Petroleum -A

841604

239.03

R. N. Spinning-A

5581482

192.35

Bengal Windsor-N

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 830677 D: 27.00 ⇓ 2.53% | 27.33 | 29.00 / 25.00 C: 27.50 ⇓ 1.43% | 27.70 | 28.20 / 27.30 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 1904356 D: 21.50 ⇓ 1.38% | 21.61 | 23.00 / 19.70 C: 21.50 ⇓ 1.38% | 21.61 | 22.00 / 21.20 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 1932482 D: 35.00 ⇑ 0.57% | 35.19 | 36.00 / 32.00 C: 35.00 ⇑ 0.29% | 35.01 | 35.90 / 34.40 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 209326 D: 36.40 ⇑ 0.83% | 36.22 | 36.70 / 34.00 C: 36.30 ⇑ 0.28% | 36.29 | 36.40 / 36.20 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 2999265 D: 12.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.82 | 13.00 / 12.00 C: 12.90 ⇓ 0.77% | 12.85 | 13.00 / 12.70 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 275393 D: 31.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.21 | 32.90 / 28.80 C: 31.30 ⇓ 0.32% | 31.26 | 32.00 / 31.10 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 52500 D: 67.30 ⇓ 0.74% | 67.59 | 68.60 / 66.80 C: 67.10 ⇓ 1.03% | 67.06 | 68.00 / 65.60 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 3435836 D: 23.90 ⇓ 0.83% | 23.96 | 25.00 / 22.20 C: 23.90 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.94 | 24.30 / 23.70 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 785415 D: 32.60 ⇓ 0.91% | 32.78 | 35.00 / 30.00 C: 32.60 ⇓ 0.91% | 32.77 | 33.50 / 32.50 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 88000 D: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.14 | 6.20 / 6.10 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 105600 D: 28.90 ⇓ 1.03% | 29.03 | 29.60 / 28.70 C: 28.70 ⇓ 2.05% | 28.73 | 29.20 / 28.50 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 3881590 D: 19.90 ⇓ 2.45% | 20.04 | 21.00 / 18.50 C: 20.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 20.06 | 20.50 / 19.00 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 82593 D: 23.50 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.53 | 23.70 / 22.00 C: 23.50 ⇑ 0.43% | 23.50 | 23.50 / 23.50 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 1721226 D: 18.80 ⇓ 2.08% | 19.01 | 19.80 / 17.60 C: 19.00 ⇓ 0.52% | 19.00 | 19.50 / 18.80 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 351266 D: 20.10 ⇓ 1.95% | 20.19 | 21.00 / 18.50 C: 20.00 ⇓ 2.91% | 20.19 | 20.60 / 20.00 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 2183747 D: 14.50 ⇓ 2.68% | 14.69 | 15.60 / 13.50 C: 14.70 ⇓ 1.34% | 14.77 | 15.20 / 14.00 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 1525730 D: 14.10 ⇓ 2.08% | 14.18 | 14.40 / 13.00 C: 14.20 ⇓ 1.39% | 14.24 | 15.00 / 13.80 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 32160 D: 100.3 ⇓ 0.10% | 100.41 | 102.0 / 100.0 C: 100.9 ⇓ 7.43% | 100.90 | 100.9 / 100.9 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 74400 D: 16.20 ⇓ 1.22% | 16.24 | 16.30 / 16.00 C: 16.10 ⇓ 2.42% | 16.14 | 16.50 / 16.10 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 1966144 D: 15.30 ⇓ 3.16% | 15.51 | 15.80 / 14.50 C: 15.50 ⇓ 3.13% | 15.59 | 16.00 / 15.40 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 3691403 D: 17.50 ⇓ 1.13% | 17.62 | 18.80 / 16.00 C: 17.50 ⇓ 2.23% | 17.59 | 18.00 / 17.40 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 407047 D: 19.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 19.65 | 20.00 / 19.00 C: 19.70 ⇓ 0.51% | 19.63 | 19.90 / 19.30 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 4559385 D: 16.90 ⇓ 1.74% | 17.03 | 18.00 / 16.00 C: 17.00 ⇓ 1.16% | 17.05 | 17.30 / 16.70 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 1337860 D: 13.60 ⇓ 0.73% | 13.65 | 15.00 / 12.40 C: 13.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 13.68 | 13.80 / 13.50 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 272560 D: 16.20 ⇓ 1.22% | 16.28 | 18.00 / 15.00 C: 16.10 ⇓ 1.23% | 16.28 | 16.50 / 16.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 663990 D: 32.00 ⇓ 1.84% | 32.32 | 33.90 / 29.40 C: 32.10 ⇓ 0.31% | 32.18 | 32.50 / 32.00 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 1207896 D: 18.00 ⇓ 2.70% | 18.16 | 20.00 / 16.80 C: 18.30 ⇓ 2.66% | 18.32 | 18.70 / 18.10 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 1050293 D: 12.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 12.60 | 13.00 / 12.00 C: 12.60 ⇓ 1.56% | 12.63 | 12.80 / 12.50

TO M. Tk.

Generation Next Fashions-A

Padma Oil Co. -A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

Vol.

3.74 3.01

545004

174.42

2.73

3273600

166.53

2.60

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 621544 D: 19.80 ⇓ 3.41% | 19.96 | 20.50 / 18.50 C: 19.80 ⇓ 3.88% | 19.99 | 20.50 / 19.80 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 2433587 D: 16.10 ⇓ 3.01% | 16.27 | 18.20 / 15.00 C: 16.20 ⇓ 2.41% | 16.33 | 16.70 / 16.10 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 198658 D: 61.60 ⇑ 0.65% | 61.64 | 62.10 / 60.50 C: 61.90 ⇑ 1.31% | 61.88 | 62.00 / 61.20 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 287550 D: 30.80 ⇓ 1.28% | 31.02 | 31.50 / 30.00 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 326766 D: 83.30 ⇑ 1.22% | 83.53 | 84.90 / 74.10 C: 83.00 ⇓ 0.24% | 83.60 | 85.00 / 76.00 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 3000 D: 31.50 ⇑ 1.94% | 31.67 | 31.90 / 30.60 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 1115366 D: 31.80 ⇑ 0.32% | 32.06 | 33.00 / 29.00 C: 32.10 ⇑ 0.63% | 32.09 | 32.70 / 31.80 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 1159755 D: 24.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 24.97 | 27.00 / 22.40 C: 25.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.09 | 26.00 / 23.00 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 313110 D: 25.20 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.34 | 25.80 / 24.90 C: 25.50 ⇑ 1.19% | 25.56 | 25.80 / 25.00 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 247500 D: 10.10 ⇓ 1.94% | 10.21 | 10.50 / 10.10 C: 10.30 ⇑ 0.98% | 10.26 | 10.30 / 10.20 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 682122 D: 17.00 ⇓ 1.16% | 17.24 | 17.50 / 15.50 C: 17.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.29 | 17.50 / 17.10 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 909617 D: 55.40 ⇓ 0.18% | 55.75 | 56.50 / 50.20 C: 55.30 ⇓ 0.54% | 55.88 | 57.00 / 55.00 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 204683 D: 17.10 ⇑ 0.59% | 17.10 | 17.40 / 17.00 C: 17.00 ⇓ 1.16% | 17.00 | 17.10 / 16.00 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 156000 D: 19.30 ⇑ 1.58% | 19.27 | 19.90 / 19.00 C: 18.90 ⇓ 1.05% | 18.85 | 19.00 / 18.70 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 27214 D: 29.20 ⇑ 0.69% | 29.20 | 29.50 / 27.00 C: 28.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.20 | 28.20 / 28.20 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 228320 D: 18.70 ⇓ 0.53% | 18.84 | 19.00 / 17.00 C: 18.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.81 | 19.00 / 18.60 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 556500 D: 15.20 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.31 | 15.50 / 15.20 C: 15.30 ⇑ 0.66% | 15.33 | 15.50 / 15.20 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 543150 D: 34.90 ⇓ 0.57% | 35.16 | 36.00 / 33.00 C: 34.90 ⇓ 0.29% | 35.22 | 36.00 / 34.60 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 503968 D: 14.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.14 | 14.40 / 13.00 C: 14.30 ⇑ 0.70% | 14.25 | 14.40 / 14.00 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 49250 D: 57.00 ⇑ 0.18% | 57.02 | 57.20 / 55.00 C: 55.40 ⇓ 1.42% | 55.68 | 56.00 / 55.20 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 450725 D: 31.80 ⇑ 3.25% | 31.53 | 32.40 / 28.00 C: 31.80 ⇑ 2.58% | 31.66 | 32.30 / 31.00 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 298844 D: 30.90 ⇑ 1.31% | 30.93 | 31.10 / 28.00 C: 30.70 ⇑ 0.66% | 30.91 | 31.10 / 30.60 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 5350 D: 1528 ⇑ 3.68% | 1504 | 1540 / 1470 C: 1501 ⇑ 0.07% | 1501 | 1510 / 1495 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 152007 D: 26.30 ⇑ 0.38% | 26.44 | 27.20 / 25.00 C: 26.90 ⇑ 2.28% | 26.81 | 27.00 / 26.50 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 861500 D: 14.20 ⇑ 0.71% | 14.21 | 14.30 / 14.10 C: 14.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.17 | 14.30 / 14.10 INVESTMENT 1STICB | 75.63 | 942.30 | Vol. 100 D: 900.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 900.00 | 900.0 / 900.0 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 1450 D: 243.4 ⇓ 0.65% | 243.45 | 245.9 / 242.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 900 D: 193.8 ⇑ 1.47% | 194.44 | 197.0 / 191.0 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 400 D: 181.0 ⇑ 0.56% | 180.00 | 181.1 / 181.0 5THICB | 23.45 | 188.92 | Vol. 100 D: 145.6 ⇑ 0.07% | 145.60 | 145.6 / 145.6

284.02 34.46

C%

A%

CP

C%

A%

CP

Desh Garments-B

DSE Gainer

9.90

14.08

73.30

Delta Life Insu.-Z

-8.73

-8.94

384.80

BD Building Systems -N

9.73

7.27

49.60

Anlima Yarn -A

-5.72

-5.08

28.00

Jute Spinners-A

9.72

71.10

Popular Life Insu.-A

-5.50

-3.96

242.10

-5.00

-3.33

28.50

-4.05

-0.56

7.10

7.13

DSE Loser

320.03

Legacy Footwear -A

9.55

8.15

36.70

Northern Jute-Z

50.87

Orion Infusions-A

8.77

6.56

43.40

Shampur Sugar-Z

6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 33200 D: 53.10 ⇓ 0.38% | 52.95 | 54.00 / 52.40 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 9000 D: 52.00 ⇓ 1.52% | 52.00 | 52.50 / 51.30 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 488825 D: 39.60 ⇑ 0.76% | 39.57 | 40.00 / 39.30 C: 39.20 ⇓ 0.76% | 39.38 | 40.90 / 38.70 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 65000 D: 18.70 ⇓ 2.60% | 18.91 | 19.10 / 18.70 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 338000 D: 45.00 ⇑ 0.22% | 45.05 | 45.40 / 44.90 C: 45.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 45.51 | 46.00 / 45.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 11500 D: 26.10 ⇑ 0.38% | 26.17 | 26.30 / 25.90 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 178500 D: 10.20 ⇓ 1.92% | 10.22 | 10.40 / 10.10 C: 10.20 ⇓ 1.92% | 10.20 | 10.20 / 10.20 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 1011800 D: 16.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.69 | 16.90 / 15.50 C: 16.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.71 | 16.90 / 16.60 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 613500 D: 23.00 ⇑ 0.44% | 23.13 | 23.70 / 22.90 C: 22.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.28 | 23.90 / 22.90 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 550103 D: 6.90 ⇓ 1.43% | 7.01 | 7.50 / 6.50 C: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.02 | 7.10 / 6.90 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 27500 D: 6.10 ⇓ 3.17% | 6.19 | 6.20 / 6.10 C: 6.20 ⇓ 3.13% | 6.15 | 6.20 / 6.10 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 111000 D: 6.10 ⇓ 1.61% | 6.13 | 6.30 / 6.10 C: 6.20 ⇓ 3.13% | 6.25 | 6.40 / 6.20 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 807710 D: 7.50 ⇓ 1.32% | 7.64 | 8.00 / 7.00 C: 7.70 ⇑ 1.32% | 7.65 | 7.70 / 7.00 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 270000 D: 5.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.52 | 5.60 / 5.50 C: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.54 | 5.60 / 5.40 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 348000 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.85 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.89 | 6.00 / 5.80 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 697630 D: 6.90 ⇓ 2.82% | 7.01 | 7.20 / 6.50 C: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.99 | 7.10 / 6.90 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 432000 D: 5.90 ⇑ 1.72% | 5.90 | 6.00 / 5.80 C: 5.80 ⇓ 3.33% | 5.77 | 5.90 / 5.70 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 469000 D: 5.40 ⇓ 1.82% | 5.44 | 5.60 / 5.40 C: 5.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 5.52 | 5.60 / 5.40 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 287000 D: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.30 | 6.40 / 6.30 C: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.31 | 6.40 / 6.20 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 808000 D: 5.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 5.53 | 5.70 / 5.40 C: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.55 | 5.60 / 5.50 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 1370035 D: 6.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 6.33 | 6.40 / 5.90 C: 6.40 ⇓ 1.54% | 6.46 | 6.50 / 6.40 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 722500 D: 6.00 ⇓ 3.23% | 6.13 | 6.30 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇓ 1.61% | 6.13 | 6.20 / 6.10 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 1277500 D: 5.80 ⇓ 1.69% | 5.86 | 6.00 / 5.80 C: 5.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.90 | 6.00 / 5.80 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 185500 D: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.02 | 7.10 / 7.00 C: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.93 | 7.00 / 6.90 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 167500 D: 6.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.51 | 6.60 / 6.40 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 589900 D: 8.10 ⇓ 2.41% | 8.24 | 8.50 / 8.00 C: 8.20 ⇓ 3.53% | 8.26 | 8.30 / 8.20 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 760600 D: 8.90 ⇓ 1.11% | 9.04 | 9.90 / 8.90 C: 9.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.99 | 9.10 / 8.90 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.47 | 11.18 | Vol. 295000 D: 7.20 ⇓ 1.37% | 7.22 | 7.30 / 7.10 C: 7.20 ⇓ 2.70% | 7.26 | 7.40 / 7.20 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 500500 D: 7.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.35 | 7.50 / 7.30 C: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.32 | 7.40 / 7.30 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 965100 D: 9.20 ⇓ 1.08% | 9.31 | 9.40 / 9.00 C: 9.20 ⇓ 2.13% | 9.32 | 9.50 / 10.10 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 500 D: 9.00 ⇓ 2.17% | 9.00 | 9.00 / 9.00

NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 24500 D: 8.70 ⇓ 2.25% | 8.69 | 8.90 / 8.50 ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 999500 D: 8.60 ⇓ 2.27% | 8.72 | 8.90 / 8.50 C: 8.70 ⇓ 2.25% | 8.77 | 9.00 / 8.60 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.29 | 52.65 | Vol. 1034385 D: 108.7 ⇑ 5.53% | 106.66 | 109.1 / 99.00 C: 108.7 ⇑ 5.74% | 106.70 | 109.4 / 104.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 4150 D: 17.40 ⇑ 0.58% | 17.43 | 17.80 / 17.30 C: 18.70 ⇑ 3.31% | 18.15 | 18.70 / 18.10 OLYMPIC | 7.85 | 22.10 | Vol. 488409 D: 220.4 ⇑ 3.77% | 219.09 | 222.3 / 200.0 C: 222.0 ⇑ 3.84% | 220.91 | 223.0 / 218.5 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 23830 D: 131.9 ⇓ 0.08% | 132.33 | 134.5 / 131.0 C: 130.9 ⇑ 3.31% | 131.90 | 133.5 / 130.2 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 11700 D: 79.60 ⇓ 0.50% | 79.69 | 80.50 / 73.80 C: 77.40 ⇑ 7.35% | 77.39 | 79.30 / 73.00 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1550 D: 279.5 ⇑ 1.60% | 279.35 | 286.0 / 275.1 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 107156 D: 198.6 ⇑ 2.58% | 197.44 | 199.6 / 185.0 C: 197.9 ⇑ 2.22% | 198.64 | 200.0 / 197.2 ATLASBANG | 11.98 | 207.70 | Vol. 40950 D: 169.8 ⇑ 2.54% | 169.77 | 172.0 / 162.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 181650 D: 28.70 ⇑ 5.51% | 29.62 | 29.90 / 27.70 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 621800 D: 35.80 ⇑ 5.60% | 35.13 | 36.00 / 33.90 C: 35.90 ⇑ 5.59% | 35.31 | 36.00 / 32.10 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 33850 D: 155.2 ⇑ 1.37% | 155.01 | 156.9 / 153.5 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 159872 D: 74.30 ⇑ 1.23% | 74.53 | 75.40 / 70.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 413265 D: 27.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.16 | 27.40 / 26.00 C: 27.10 ⇑ 0.37% | 27.18 | 27.60 / 26.90 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 480500 D: 25.20 ⇓ 0.79% | 26.14 | 27.40 / 25.00 C: 25.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.98 | 27.00 / 24.80 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 7500 D: 16.20 ⇑ 4.52% | 16.15 | 16.60 / 15.90 C: 16.30 ⇑ 9.40% | 16.30 | 16.30 / 16.30 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 47000 D: 85.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 85.54 | 87.00 / 84.80 C: 85.90 ⇑ 0.47% | 85.90 | 88.00 / 83.80 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 616270 D: 43.40 ⇑ 2.60% | 43.14 | 43.80 / 38.20 C: 43.40 ⇑ 2.60% | 43.11 | 43.60 / 42.00 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 1362896 D: 47.10 ⇑ 1.95% | 47.11 | 47.80 / 42.00 C: 47.30 ⇑ 1.94% | 46.63 | 48.00 / 45.30 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 457720 D: 72.40 ⇑ 2.99% | 72.53 | 73.70 / 65.00 C: 72.30 ⇑ 2.26% | 72.75 | 74.00 / 71.60 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 223592 D: 67.20 ⇑ 2.91% | 66.48 | 69.70 / 60.00 C: 67.00 ⇑ 2.13% | 66.71 | 67.40 / 66.10 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 1039429 D: 18.50 ⇑ 7.56% | 18.21 | 18.70 / 15.90 C: 18.60 ⇑ 8.14% | 18.27 | 18.70 / 17.20 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 295000 D: 48.50 ⇑ 1.25% | 48.88 | 50.00 / 48.00 C: 48.50 ⇑ 0.21% | 48.93 | 49.50 / 47.80 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 3273600 D: 50.90 ⇑ 1.80% | 50.88 | 50.90 / 48.80 C: 50.90 ⇑ 1.80% | 50.83 | 50.90 / 48.00 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 2158500 D: 49.60 ⇑ 9.73% | 47.96 | 49.70 / 45.30 C: 49.30 ⇑ 9.80% | 48.00 | 49.30 / 46.20 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 178200 D: 50.10 ⇑ 5.25% | 49.19 | 50.80 / 48.00 C: 49.40 ⇑ 1.44% | 49.98 | 50.70 / 49.00 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 53900 D: 94.40 ⇑ 3.85% | 93.48 | 95.00 / 90.60 C: 93.30 ⇑ 2.64% | 93.14 | 95.00 / 92.30 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 66350 D: 432.9 ⇓ 1.90% | 441.10 | 452.0 / 432.0 C: 436.9 ⇓ 1.78% | 445.06 | 470.0 / 435.5 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 1400 D: 1641 ⇑ 0.42% | 1640 | 1648 / 1630

GEMINISEA | 10.88 | 9.69 | Vol. 350 D: 172.3 ⇑ 3.61% | 171.43 | 173.0 / 171.9 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 3200 D: 807.4 ⇑ 0.93% | 810.00 | 820.0 / 806.0 ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 5500 D: 8.20 ⇑ 3.80% | 8.20 | 8.20 / 8.20 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 84400 D: 192.4 ⇑ 1.05% | 192.52 | 198.0 / 190.0 C: 194.3 ⇑ 2.10% | 194.32 | 199.0 / 190.5 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 100 D: 7.10 ⇓ 4.05% | 7.10 | 7.10 / 7.10 FUWANGFOOD | 1.03 | 13.51 | Vol. 1256152 D: 23.80 ⇑ 3.03% | 23.76 | 24.20 / 22.00 C: 23.80 ⇑ 2.59% | 23.83 | 24.20 / 23.50 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 18000 D: 6.40 ⇑ 4.92% | 6.44 | 6.70 / 6.30 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 15000 D: 7.00 ⇑ 1.45% | 7.07 | 7.50 / 7.00 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 675505 D: 21.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 21.01 | 21.50 / 19.00 C: 21.10 ⇑ 3.43% | 21.04 | 21.30 / 20.70 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 713000 D: 17.50 ⇑ 6.71% | 17.45 | 17.90 / 16.70 C: 17.90 ⇑ 7.19% | 17.46 | 18.00 / 16.70 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 1825319 D: 23.40 ⇑ 4.00% | 23.19 | 23.70 / 20.40 C: 23.70 ⇑ 4.41% | 23.28 | 23.80 / 22.80 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 727851 D: 37.80 ⇓ 1.05% | 37.92 | 38.30 / 34.50 C: 37.90 ⇓ 1.30% | 37.95 | 38.30 / 34.60 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 10800 D: 622.2 ⇑ 1.09% | 619.72 | 625.0 / 615.2 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 545004 D: 330.5 ⇑ 7.48% | 320.11 | 334.4 / 300.0 C: 328.5 ⇑ 7.07% | 319.26 | 332.9 / 307.5 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 1030905 D: 21.80 ⇑ 5.31% | 21.45 | 21.90 / 19.00 C: 22.10 ⇑ 7.80% | 21.65 | 22.20 / 20.70 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 1165950 D: 37.40 ⇑ 3.89% | 37.26 | 38.00 / 32.90 C: 37.50 ⇑ 3.31% | 37.22 | 37.60 / 36.50 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 278400 D: 60.30 ⇑ 1.01% | 60.52 | 61.50 / 57.00 C: 60.50 ⇑ 1.17% | 60.80 | 63.00 / 60.50 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 57545 D: 53.70 ⇑ 0.75% | 53.68 | 54.70 / 53.40 C: 52.50 ⇑ 0.57% | 52.29 | 52.50 / 50.00 JAMUNAOIL | 22.78 | 50.24 | Vol. 328242 D: 237.7 ⇑ 1.11% | 236.84 | 239.5 / 220.0 C: 237.8 ⇑ 1.02% | 236.79 | 239.0 / 234.2 MPETROLEUM | 25.61 | 71.11 | Vol. 841604 D: 286.8 ⇑ 2.06% | 284.03 | 288.4 / 257.0 C: 287.9 ⇑ 2.38% | 283.78 | 288.9 / 280.0 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 697206 D: 75.00 ⇑ 1.76% | 74.98 | 75.80 / 67.00 C: 75.10 ⇑ 1.49% | 75.01 | 75.70 / 74.00 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 742667 D: 51.80 ⇑ 5.07% | 51.06 | 52.00 / 46.00 C: 51.40 ⇑ 4.47% | 50.73 | 51.80 / 49.60 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 1416132 D: 31.70 ⇑ 3.26% | 31.34 | 32.00 / 28.00 C: 31.60 ⇑ 3.27% | 31.21 | 31.90 / 30.50 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 188742 D: 75.80 ⇑ 0.40% | 75.94 | 76.40 / 68.00 C: 75.40 ⇓ 0.79% | 75.09 | 76.00 / 74.70 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 2096673 D: 30.10 ⇓ 0.99% | 29.81 | 30.70 / 27.40 C: 30.30 ⇓ 0.66% | 29.93 | 30.80 / 29.40 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 2185955 D: 64.20 ⇑ 0.78% | 64.53 | 65.60 / 57.40 C: 64.20 ⇑ 0.63% | 64.62 | 65.70 / 63.10 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 21400 D: 71.10 ⇑ 9.72% | 69.58 | 71.20 / 66.70 NORTHERN | -9.98 | -18.22 | Vol. 1000 D: 28.50 ⇓ 5.00% | 29.00 | 29.10 / 27.50 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 42300 D: 153.5 ⇑ 7.12% | 151.06 | 156.0 / 144.5 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 194122 D: 92.50 ⇑ 8.06% | 91.79 | 93.00 / 78.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 1950 D: 261.3 ⇑ 5.11% | 258.46 | 265.0 / 240.0

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

7

November 18, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 38,364.99 ⇓ 1.03% NBFI: 21,044.41 ⇑ 0.15% INVS: 4,887.94 ⇓ 0.66% ENGG: 6,233.25 ⇑ 3.54% FOOD: 9,621.64 ⇑ 0.54% F&P: 10,463.30 ⇑ 2.34% TEXT: 3,438.34 ⇑ 1.73% PHAR: 17,322.34 ⇑ 0.54% PAPR: 1,043.14 ⇑ 4.52% SERV: 2,964.42 ⇑ 1.32% LEAT: 5,223.95 ⇑ 1.20% CERA: 516.89 ⇑ 2.63% CMNT: 4,325.77 ⇑ 0.72% INFO: 7,389.21 ⇑ 4.10% GINS: 9,421.86 ⇑ 0.81% LINS: 132,309.35 ⇓ 3.41% TELC: 1,347.51 ⇑ 0.89% MISC: 6,560.93 ⇑ 2.01% SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 820600 D: 29.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 29.40 | 30.10 / 28.60 C: 29.40 ⇓ 0.34% | 29.35 | 29.90 / 28.60 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 2400 D: 82.90 ⇑ 3.75% | 82.50 | 84.50 / 78.10 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 31800 D: 73.30 ⇑ 9.90% | 73.08 | 73.30 / 69.00 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 7800 D: 7.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.82 | 8.00 / 7.50 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 2237120 D: 38.30 ⇓ 2.05% | 38.91 | 40.30 / 38.00 C: 38.60 ⇓ 1.28% | 39.16 | 40.90 / 38.40 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 29000 D: 74.90 ⇑ 4.76% | 74.61 | 75.30 / 74.00 C: 73.70 ⇑ 10.00% | 73.70 | 73.70 / 73.70 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 137840 D: 74.30 ⇑ 5.84% | 73.60 | 76.80 / 69.00 C: 73.20 ⇑ 3.98% | 73.46 | 75.00 / 73.00 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 740400 D: 31.40 ⇑ 3.63% | 31.16 | 31.70 / 30.00 C: 31.60 ⇑ 4.29% | 31.21 | 32.00 / 30.80 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 255496 D: 17.30 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.42 | 17.90 / 16.00 C: 17.30 ⇓ 1.14% | 17.34 | 17.50 / 17.00 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 473750 D: 25.10 ⇑ 2.45% | 25.01 | 25.50 / 24.70 C: 25.10 ⇑ 1.62% | 25.12 | 25.40 / 24.80 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 309000 D: 7.30 ⇑ 1.39% | 7.35 | 7.60 / 7.30 C: 7.20 ⇑ 1.41% | 7.25 | 7.30 / 7.20 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 402500 D: 28.00 ⇓ 5.72% | 28.23 | 30.00 / 27.90 C: 28.80 ⇑ 1.41% | 28.78 | 28.90 / 28.70 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 382415 D: 38.00 ⇑ 7.34% | 37.36 | 38.60 / 35.00 C: 38.40 ⇑ 3.78% | 37.42 | 38.80 / 36.00 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 3682790 D: 33.70 ⇑ 8.01% | 33.13 | 34.00 / 29.00 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 668105 D: 25.20 ⇑ 1.20% | 25.55 | 26.20 / 24.00 C: 25.40 ⇑ 2.83% | 25.60 | 26.20 / 25.00 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 102156 D: 91.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 91.39 | 92.00 / 88.00 C: 92.00 ⇑ 1.55% | 92.00 | 92.00 / 92.00 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 2193151 D: 19.50 ⇓ 3.47% | 19.57 | 20.10 / 17.50 C: 19.60 ⇓ 2.97% | 19.84 | 20.20 / 19.20 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 3094703 D: 17.00 ⇑ 0.59% | 17.12 | 17.40 / 15.50 C: 17.10 ⇑ 1.18% | 17.10 | 17.50 / 16.80 DACCADYE | 1.02 | 28.44 | Vol. 1225230 D: 27.00 ⇓ 0.37% | 27.11 | 27.50 / 24.50 C: 27.50 ⇑ 0.36% | 27.49 | 27.70 / 27.30 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 5581482 D: 34.70 ⇑ 0.87% | 34.45 | 34.90 / 31.00 C: 34.70 ⇑ 0.58% | 34.51 | 35.00 / 34.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 932746 D: 16.60 ⇑ 4.40% | 16.36 | 16.80 / 14.80 C: 16.60 ⇑ 3.75% | 16.42 | 16.70 / 16.00 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 4047785 D: 29.80 ⇑ 4.56% | 29.50 | 30.20 / 26.00 C: 29.90 ⇑ 4.18% | 29.62 | 30.40 / 29.00 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 377745 D: 26.80 ⇑ 1.90% | 26.72 | 26.90 / 25.20 C: 26.90 ⇑ 0.75% | 26.85 | 27.00 / 26.50 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 1324000 D: 25.80 ⇑ 0.78% | 25.67 | 26.20 / 25.40 C: 25.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.70 | 26.40 / 25.40 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 10845430 D: 33.90 ⇑ 4.95% | 32.80 | 34.40 / 29.20 C: 34.10 ⇑ 4.92% | 32.29 | 34.50 / 31.30 ENVOYTEX | 3.19 | 39.00 | Vol. 1756370 D: 57.80 ⇑ 0.17% | 57.72 | 58.60 / 52.00 C: 57.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 57.72 | 58.90 / 57.00 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 701160 D: 68.00 ⇑ 1.34% | 67.76 | 68.80 / 61.00 C: 68.00 ⇑ 0.89% | 67.56 | 69.20 / 67.00 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 556000 D: 53.00 ⇑ 2.51% | 53.97 | 56.40 / 52.40 C: 53.30 ⇑ 3.50% | 53.79 | 55.50 / 52.00 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 11534 D: 260.8 ⇑ 3.33% | 260.00 | 262.0 / 256.5 C: 262.2 ⇑ 3.39% | 262.95 | 263.9 / 260.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 232203 D: 46.50 ⇑ 1.31% | 46.60 | 47.10 / 41.40 C: 46.80 ⇑ 0.86% | 46.59 | 47.20 / 46.00 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 650 D: 935.3 ⇑ 1.30% | 935.38 | 940.0 / 930.4

ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 67528 D: 167.6 ⇑ 2.07% | 168.57 | 170.0 / 150.0 C: 165.0 ⇑ 1.23% | 165.50 | 167.9 / 164.3 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 9381 D: 719.9 ⇑ 0.11% | 720.49 | 724.9 / 705.9 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 1300 D: 801.2 ⇑ 7.06% | 800.00 | 804.5 / 775.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 36450 D: 164.1 ⇑ 1.55% | 165.13 | 169.0 / 163.5 KOHINOOR | 14.33 | 19.99 | Vol. 5500 D: 446.8 ⇑ 1.50% | 446.91 | 468.0 / 430.5 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 236324 D: 105.8 ⇑ 6.01% | 104.77 | 108.0 / 91.00 C: 105.8 ⇑ 5.48% | 105.25 | 106.7 / 102.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 400 D: 422.5 ⇑ 0.84% | 422.50 | 425.0 / 420.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 436400 D: 43.40 ⇑ 8.77% | 42.25 | 43.80 / 40.60 C: 43.40 ⇑ 5.60% | 42.86 | 44.00 / 41.50 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 522680 D: 180.4 ⇑ 0.39% | 180.10 | 182.0 / 165.0 C: 180.2 ⇑ 0.11% | 180.20 | 181.5 / 179.9 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 1657394 D: 26.30 ⇓ 2.59% | 26.56 | 28.10 / 24.30 C: 26.50 ⇓ 2.57% | 26.75 | 27.20 / 26.40 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 950 D: 847.7 ⇓ 0.04% | 848.24 | 858.0 / 843.0 C: 828.0 ⇓ 1.43% | 828.00 | 840.0 / 816.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 32800 D: 76.10 ⇑ 2.28% | 76.02 | 76.80 / 75.40 C: 76.60 ⇑ 2.68% | 76.71 | 77.30 / 75.10 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 4800 D: 741.7 ⇑ 0.53% | 741.06 | 750.0 / 738.0 C: 760.0 ⇑ 2.01% | 760.00 | 760.0 / 760.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 432550 D: 11.80 ⇓ 0.84% | 11.87 | 12.00 / 11.80 C: 12.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 11.99 | 12.10 / 10.80 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 1148659 D: 21.80 ⇑ 5.31% | 21.53 | 22.20 / 19.00 C: 21.90 ⇑ 4.78% | 21.59 | 22.00 / 21.00 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 1421750 D: 54.60 ⇑ 7.69% | 53.27 | 54.90 / 51.00 C: 54.70 ⇑ 7.89% | 53.42 | 55.00 / 51.10 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 840680 D: 58.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 58.58 | 59.60 / 52.30 C: 58.40 ⇑ 0.52% | 58.42 | 59.20 / 58.00 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 303500 D: 209.0 ⇑ 3.93% | 210.13 | 218.0 / 203.1 C: 208.3 ⇑ 4.15% | 211.24 | 217.5 / 205.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 850000 D: 31.90 ⇓ 2.45% | 32.02 | 33.90 / 31.60 C: 32.10 ⇓ 2.73% | 32.11 | 33.00 / 31.80 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 108500 D: 29.40 ⇑ 6.14% | 29.48 | 30.40 / 28.00 C: 29.40 ⇑ 8.09% | 29.06 | 29.90 / 28.00 SERVICE SAMORITA | 3.24 | 74.65 | Vol. 134809 D: 113.0 ⇑ 4.44% | 112.83 | 115.9 / 105.0 C: 117.3 ⇑ 9.63% | 115.50 | 117.3 / 114.8 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 464329 D: 28.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.39 | 30.00 / 26.00 C: 28.40 ⇑ 0.35% | 28.39 | 28.80 / 28.00 LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 117500 D: 115.6 ⇑ 1.31% | 114.07 | 116.9 / 112.0 C: 116.0 ⇑ 2.02% | 113.96 | 116.0 / 112.0 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 9000 D: 719.6 ⇑ 0.11% | 720.23 | 724.5 / 718.6 C: 710.0 ⇑ 1.43% | 710.00 | 710.0 / 710.0

APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 87000 D: 381.5 ⇓ 0.29% | 381.62 | 390.0 / 376.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 30500 D: 13.90 ⇑ 4.51% | 13.93 | 14.00 / 13.70 C: 12.90 ⇑ 5.74% | 12.90 | 12.90 / 12.90 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 943012 D: 36.70 ⇑ 9.55% | 35.96 | 36.80 / 32.50 C: 36.50 ⇑ 9.28% | 35.72 | 36.70 / 33.40 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 32650 D: 32.00 ⇓ 1.23% | 32.37 | 33.00 / 31.80 C: 32.80 ⇓ 0.30% | 32.47 | 32.80 / 32.30 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 20500 D: 40.70 ⇑ 2.78% | 40.83 | 41.70 / 39.50 C: 39.00 ⇓ 3.47% | 38.98 | 39.10 / 38.90 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 839693 D: 18.30 ⇑ 3.98% | 18.05 | 18.40 / 17.00 C: 18.30 ⇑ 3.39% | 18.14 | 18.40 / 17.90 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 1129355 D: 17.50 ⇑ 6.06% | 17.24 | 17.60 / 15.00 C: 17.50 ⇑ 6.06% | 17.15 | 17.60 / 16.60 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 337921 D: 53.20 ⇑ 2.31% | 52.89 | 53.50 / 47.00 C: 53.00 ⇑ 1.73% | 53.02 | 53.70 / 52.50 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 139300 D: 389.7 ⇑ 1.04% | 392.49 | 398.0 / 387.0 C: 391.0 ⇑ 1.01% | 391.60 | 392.0 / 390.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 206206 D: 126.9 ⇑ 0.87% | 126.84 | 127.8 / 120.0 C: 126.9 ⇑ 0.48% | 126.65 | 127.0 / 125.0 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 83600 D: 126.3 ⇑ 2.02% | 125.55 | 127.0 / 124.0 C: 125.2 ⇓ 1.03% | 126.15 | 127.0 / 125.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 118110 D: 75.20 ⇓ 0.13% | 76.26 | 77.00 / 74.50 C: 76.60 ⇑ 4.36% | 76.58 | 77.50 / 75.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 320000 D: 31.50 ⇑ 0.64% | 31.50 | 31.70 / 31.40 C: 31.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.61 | 31.80 / 31.50 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 168713 D: 87.10 ⇑ 2.11% | 86.25 | 87.90 / 78.00 C: 86.90 ⇑ 1.76% | 86.33 | 87.20 / 85.20 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 862200 D: 105.8 ⇑ 2.22% | 104.62 | 107.7 / 102.7 C: 107.1 ⇑ 3.28% | 106.36 | 109.0 / 104.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 187508 D: 17.10 ⇑ 1.18% | 17.27 | 17.50 / 16.90 C: 17.20 ⇑ 2.38% | 17.20 | 17.50 / 17.00 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 1305616 D: 27.40 ⇓ 2.14% | 27.36 | 27.90 / 24.50 C: 27.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 27.17 | 27.70 / 27.00 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 218939 D: 15.40 ⇑ 0.65% | 15.48 | 15.60 / 15.00 C: 15.50 ⇑ 1.31% | 15.47 | 15.70 / 15.30 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 368456 D: 21.60 ⇑ 1.89% | 21.67 | 22.00 / 19.20 C: 21.80 ⇑ 3.81% | 21.68 | 22.00 / 21.40 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 723040 D: 13.60 ⇑ 1.49% | 13.63 | 13.80 / 13.40 C: 13.60 ⇑ 0.74% | 13.64 | 13.80 / 13.00 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 1045800 D: 32.50 ⇑ 4.17% | 32.24 | 32.90 / 31.50 C: 32.50 ⇑ 4.17% | 32.30 | 32.70 / 31.80 GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 109203 D: 30.40 ⇑ 0.33% | 30.45 | 30.80 / 27.40 C: 30.50 ⇑ 0.66% | 30.37 | 30.50 / 30.20

GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 57915 D: 79.40 ⇑ 0.89% | 79.24 | 81.70 / 77.00 C: 80.00 ⇑ 0.63% | 80.23 | 81.50 / 76.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 3608 D: 45.00 ⇑ 1.35% | 44.99 | 45.30 / 41.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 335475 D: 37.10 ⇑ 3.34% | 37.00 | 37.80 / 35.90 C: 36.70 ⇑ 2.51% | 36.37 | 36.70 / 36.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 33357 D: 39.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 39.36 | 40.00 / 37.00 C: 39.90 ⇑ 4.72% | 39.90 | 39.90 / 39.90 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 165810 D: 28.40 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.73 | 29.50 / 26.50 C: 28.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.56 | 28.90 / 28.30 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 63738 D: 45.20 ⇑ 1.57% | 45.39 | 46.10 / 43.00 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 350650 D: 50.30 ⇑ 3.71% | 49.91 | 50.60 / 48.00 C: 49.80 ⇑ 2.68% | 49.85 | 50.90 / 49.00 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 39824 D: 31.20 ⇑ 0.65% | 31.38 | 31.70 / 30.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 82800 D: 25.30 ⇑ 0.40% | 25.37 | 25.70 / 25.20 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 151820 D: 34.60 ⇑ 1.17% | 34.78 | 35.40 / 34.00 C: 34.80 ⇑ 2.35% | 34.79 | 35.00 / 34.60 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 316957 D: 25.90 ⇑ 0.39% | 25.95 | 26.20 / 24.90 C: 26.10 ⇑ 1.16% | 26.02 | 26.30 / 25.60 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 500 D: 73.10 ⇑ 1.95% | 73.10 | 73.10 / 73.10 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 453194 D: 25.10 ⇑ 2.03% | 25.10 | 25.50 / 24.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 50827 D: 60.30 ⇑ 0.84% | 60.15 | 61.00 / 56.00 C: 57.30 ⇓ 4.50% | 57.27 | 58.50 / 57.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 80750 D: 34.60 ⇓ 0.57% | 34.72 | 35.20 / 34.00 C: 32.80 ⇓ 6.55% | 32.80 | 32.80 / 32.80 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 82500 D: 70.10 ⇑ 2.04% | 70.32 | 72.00 / 69.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 139682 D: 28.70 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.89 | 29.20 / 27.00 C: 28.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.50 | 28.30 / 28.30 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 109500 D: 27.90 ⇑ 1.45% | 28.06 | 28.50 / 27.80 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 139222 D: 30.60 ⇑ 2.68% | 30.24 | 30.70 / 29.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 13040 D: 36.70 ⇑ 1.94% | 36.66 | 36.90 / 34.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 45000 D: 31.30 ⇑ 0.64% | 31.20 | 31.70 / 31.00 C: 31.90 ⇑ 0.31% | 31.90 | 31.90 / 31.90 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 143734 D: 25.80 ⇑ 0.39% | 25.96 | 26.40 / 24.00 C: 25.60 ⇑ 1.19% | 25.60 | 25.60 / 25.60 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 147169 D: 25.80 ⇓ 0.77% | 25.98 | 26.60 / 24.00 C: 26.10 ⇓ 0.38% | 26.14 | 27.00 / 26.00 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 112267 D: 30.20 ⇑ 2.37% | 30.19 | 30.50 / 28.00 C: 29.80 ⇑ 0.68% | 29.81 | 30.10 / 29.60 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 268850 D: 31.90 ⇓ 0.62% | 32.10 | 32.60 / 31.00 C: 31.70 ⇓ 0.31% | 31.85 | 32.40 / 31.60 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 222288 D: 41.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 42.28 | 42.80 / 40.00 C: 42.30 ⇑ 1.20% | 42.61 | 43.00 / 42.10 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 46500 D: 40.40 ⇑ 0.25% | 40.45 | 41.80 / 40.20 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 98791 D: 43.00 ⇑ 1.18% | 43.08 | 43.40 / 40.00 C: 42.00 ⇑ 9.95% | 42.00 | 42.00 / 42.00 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 292724 D: 44.80 ⇑ 0.67% | 44.92 | 45.40 / 44.00 C: 44.60 ⇓ 0.89% | 44.69 | 45.90 / 43.70 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 106925 D: 28.70 ⇑ 1.06% | 28.74 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 28.80 ⇑ 1.05% | 28.66 | 29.00 / 28.00 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 306863 D: 35.80 ⇑ 5.29% | 34.55 | 37.40 / 32.00 C: 34.80 ⇑ 2.35% | 34.78 | 35.00 / 34.20 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 120060 D: 31.00 ⇑ 2.31% | 30.59 | 31.10 / 29.00 C: 30.80 ⇑ 0.98% | 30.80 | 30.80 / 30.80

DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 356125 D: 42.90 ⇑ 2.39% | 43.20 | 44.00 / 38.00 C: 43.10 ⇑ 3.86% | 42.92 | 43.80 / 42.50 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 8156 D: 255.7 ⇑ 0.16% | 255.82 | 259.0 / 245.0 C: 258.0 ⇑ 0.35% | 259.41 | 260.0 / 257.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 3255 D: 384.8 ⇓ 8.73% | 384.80 | 384.8 / 384.8 C: 404.3 ⇓ 8.49% | 404.30 | 404.3 / 404.3 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 50861 D: 72.10 ⇑ 0.42% | 71.96 | 73.00 / 69.50 C: 71.00 ⇓ 1.66% | 70.99 | 72.00 / 70.50 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 85455 D: 242.1 ⇓ 5.50% | 246.67 | 258.0 / 235.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 49208 D: 95.30 ⇑ 0.63% | 95.36 | 96.30 / 86.00 C: 95.10 ⇓ 2.96% | 95.08 | 95.60 / 94.70 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 60950 D: 106.3 ⇓ 1.12% | 107.18 | 109.0 / 105.8 C: 106.3 ⇓ 0.37% | 106.30 | 106.3 / 106.3 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 5500 D: 105.5 ⇑ 1.74% | 105.64 | 107.7 / 103.0 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 36500 D: 119.1 ⇑ 0.25% | 119.48 | 121.5 / 117.5 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 32549 D: 93.20 ⇓ 0.32% | 93.56 | 94.70 / 85.00 C: 90.10 ⇓ 0.55% | 90.10 | 90.10 / 90.10 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 67774 D: 96.00 ⇓ 0.41% | 96.36 | 97.90 / 95.50 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 78540 D: 58.50 ⇑ 0.86% | 58.63 | 59.30 / 54.00 C: 58.80 ⇑ 0.51% | 58.92 | 59.70 / 58.20 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 198700 D: 56.90 ⇑ 0.35% | 57.04 | 57.80 / 52.00 C: 57.30 ⇓ 0.87% | 57.37 | 59.00 / 56.80 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 593308 D: 199.9 ⇓ 0.30% | 199.53 | 202.6 / 196.0 C: 199.5 ⇓ 0.45% | 199.46 | 202.0 / 198.0 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 749279 D: 182.9 ⇑ 5.42% | 180.60 | 186.6 / 160.0 C: 183.3 ⇑ 5.53% | 180.79 | 184.0 / 176.0 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 5692791 D: 16.30 ⇑ 0.62% | 16.45 | 17.00 / 14.90 C: 16.40 ⇑ 0.61% | 16.51 | 16.80 / 16.30 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 838780 D: 81.90 ⇑ 2.12% | 82.31 | 83.60 / 72.80 C: 82.70 ⇑ 2.99% | 82.76 | 84.40 / 80.00 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 65850 D: 381.9 ⇑ 6.41% | 375.57 | 387.9 / 365.5 C: 379.1 ⇑ 6.79% | 374.00 | 385.0 / 370.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 86065 D: 451.0 ⇑ 1.01% | 453.77 | 460.0 / 450.0 C: 450.8 ⇑ 0.85% | 453.68 | 458.8 / 449.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 52872 D: 146.9 ⇓ 0.14% | 147.84 | 149.5 / 146.0 C: 146.2 ⇑ 0.76% | 146.21 | 147.9 / 145.4 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 80950 D: 129.2 ⇑ 1.17% | 130.80 | 134.5 / 128.0 C: 130.3 ⇑ 0.62% | 132.83 | 135.0 / 130.0 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 1550 D: 55.10 ⇓ 3.33% | 54.84 | 60.50 / 54.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 4255675 D: 33.70 ⇑ 4.98% | 33.32 | 35.00 / 29.00 C: 33.60 ⇑ 4.02% | 33.18 | 33.80 / 32.10 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 284500 D: 22.20 ⇑ 1.37% | 22.29 | 22.60 / 22.00 C: 22.40 ⇑ 2.75% | 22.77 | 22.90 / 22.20 MIRACLEIND | 0.10 | 15.13 | Vol. 642056 D: 15.70 ⇑ 5.37% | 15.62 | 15.90 / 15.00 C: 15.70 ⇑ 4.67% | 15.53 | 15.90 / 15.20 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 380 D: 981.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 981.33 | 985.0 / 970.3 C: 954.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 954.00 | 954.0 / 954.0 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 42 D: 885.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 900.00 | 886.0 / 884.0 C: 879.5 ⇓ 0.06% | 879.42 | 890.0 / 871.0 BRACSCBOND | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 5 D: 1050 ⇑ 1.94% | 1050 | 1050 / 1050

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

Emirates’ president pledges more plane purchases n AFP, Dubai

US Federal Reserve Vice Chair Janet Yellen testifies during a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing on her nomination to be the next chairman of the US Federal Reserve, on Capitol Hill in Washington REUTERS

Global Economy: Evaporating inflation, elusive growth n Reuters Janet Yellen is expected to get the final political nod in the next couple of weeks to chair the US Federal Reserve.

So when she signaled in congressional testimony last week that the US economy was still in need of easy money, it was more than a throwaway line to please vetting senators worried about their voters’ lack of jobs.

Yellen was using her clout to highlight the two main characteristics of the world economy: Recovery in America and elsewhere is not yet durable. And there is no fear that inflation will demand an end to the ultra-low interest rates and money-printing being used to sustain what growth there is.

This week’s economic data drop touches on both sides of this equation - US consumer inflation for October is reported on Wednesday and preliminary purchasing managers’ indexes (PMI) for both the euro zone and the United States are out a day later, along with Philadelphia Fed’s November business index.

Inflation’s amazing disappearing act is rising to the top of the agenda in many economies. Fears of Japan-style deflation are premature but recent slides have at the very least raised policymakers’ interest.

A plunge in euro zone inflation to just 0.7% in October prompted the European Central Bank to deliver a surprise interest rate cut, though not with unanimous support from its members.

The bank targets at or slightly below 2% as the level it considers inflation healthy, and the economy is still moribund.

Other non-euro countries in the region are reporting much the same on inflation.

Poland’s is running at 0.8%, Sweden had a month of falling prices, and even Britain’s relatively high cost-of-living unexpectedly dropped to 2.2% year-on-year in October.

Although the US consumer price index figures to be released this week are not the ones the Fed targets, they may point to inflation shrinkage as well.

The early consensus is for October CPI to show no increase month-on-month from September, when the annual rise was 1.2%.

Some analysts even predict a fall in prices for the month.

The Fed targets either side of 2% for inflation. It favors the PCE, or personal consumption expenditure, index, which tends to run slightly lower than CPI. It was up just 0.9% in the 12 months through September.

“We are not seeing any upward inflation pressures - generally the opposite,” said Sarah Hewin, Standard Chartered Bank’s head of economic research for Europe.

The immediate fallout from any sign of diminishing US inflation would be further to boost expectations that the Fed will delay any slowing of its quantitative easing (QE) asset-buying program.

Yellen has already fed this expectation at her confirmation hearing. Falling inflation would mean the QE money-printing might even be useful to ward off any deflation threat, on top of pumping up the economy.

This, in turn, will provide some succor to emerging markets - particularly those with high current account deficits - that have seen

their currencies clobbered as the prospect of US stimulus ending has pulled cash out of their economies.

India, Indonesia and Turkey have been particularly hard hit this year.

Markit’s flash PMI indexes are expected to underline the unevenness of economic recovery, particularly in the euro zone.

Third-quarter gross domestic product released last week showed the euro zone barely growing with No. 2 economy France contracting and No. 1 Germany’s pace of growth slowing. Analysts at Barclays described the euro zone as undergoing “a somewhat disappointing recovery”.

The consensus forecast for the flash euro zone composite PMI, incorporating both manufacturing and services, is for a very slight rise to 52 from 51.9 a month earlier.

That would indicate expansion and be the highest since the middle of 2011. But it is still below its long-term average.

The US economy is, on the face of it, in better shape. GDP grew at an annual 2.8% in the third quarter, albeit boosted by inventories.

But data has not been not uniformly upbeat. Weekly jobless claims and trade numbers last week showed weaker progress than expected.

A Reuters poll suggests that the Philly Fed’s business index - one of the first looks at November - will fall quite sharply.

Yellen, meanwhile, has made clear that she sees the economy as below its potential.

She intends to keep working at getting it into sustainably strong shape. l

Emirates’ appetite for plane purchases will not cease, the airline’s president Tim Clark told AFP yesterday, a day after the Dubai-based carrier ordered 200 planes from Boeing and Airbus.

“I don’t think Emirates is going to stop with this order,” he said, referring to purchases announced at Dubai Airshow on Sunday, including a commitment to buy 150 Boeing 777X longrange planes and a firm order for 50 Airbus A380 superjumbos.

The order from Boeing is valued at $55.6bn, excluding engines, while the purchase from its European rival Airbus amounts to $20bn at list price.

“The intention of the government of Dubai is to fill the new airfield here on this site,” at Al-Maktoum International Airport which opened for passenger operations last month.

Dubai has in the past announced ambitions to turn Al-Maktoum into the world’s largest aviation hub once completed, with five runways and a capacity to handle 160 million passengers.

‘When we have more firm lines on that, we will be revisiting our fleet plans and routes structures’

“They’re hoping to get that in the state of readiness for 2020-2022 and the scale of that will allow us to grow our fleet further,” said Clark.

“When we have more firm lines on that, we will be revisiting our fleet plans and routes structures.”

But he said the fast-expanding carrier would continue to operate at one of Dubai’s airports, and not both.

Clark said the commitment to buy 150 Boeing aircraft would be finalised before the end of 2013.

“The contract will be finalised by the end of December, so six weeks away ... What we did was sign a commitment letter which will lead to a contract very shortly,” he said.

Emirates was in discussions for four to five years with Boeing over the new airliner that is scheduled to enter service around 2020.

“In the last months we’ve got it where we wanted it to be,” said Clark.

“Basically the terms are agreed with Boeing.”

The biennial Dubai Airshow got off to a bright start Sunday, with orders from the big three Gulf carriers - Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways - for Boeing and Airbus planes hitting $141.5bn, excluding the price of engines. l