December 11, 2013

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Agrahayan 27, 1420 Safar 7, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 257

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Three killed in nocturnal violence of Jamaat-Shibir n Ashif Islam Shaon Jamaat-Shibir activists unleashed a reign of terror in several districts leaving three people killed following the news that Abdul Quader Molla would be executed last night.

Of the three, a mother Sumi Akter and her daughter seven-year-old Sanjida were killed when Shibir men torched a parked covered van at 10pm onthe Bogra By-pass Road of Gazipur, the place where a teenage boy Monir Hossain was burnt to death. He too was in a covered van with his father.

The incident left two more covered van passengers – Sadia, 2, sister of Sanjida and their father Adam Ali, 40,-criticallyburnt.

No state counsel was informed beforehand In a dramatic development late last night, the chamber judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain stayed the execution of war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla until 10:30am today.

Justice Mahmud issued the unprecedented stay order from his house only couple of hours before the implementation of the Appellate Division verdict that sentenced war criminal Quader Molla to death on September 17.

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MORE TRIBUNAL STORIES

Molla’s counsels rushed to the Dhaka Central jail between midnight and gave the copy of the stay order to the prison authorities.

Following this development, the jail authorities halted the execution of the Molla, well-known as “Mirpurer Kasai” (Butcher of Mirpur) for the heinous crimes he had committed during the War of Independence in 1971.

The government said in the presence of two magistrates, Quader Molla had not sought the president’s clemency.

Molla’s counsels led by Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Abdur Razzak went to the chamber judge’s residence at the judges’ complex in the capital between 8pm and 10pm to seek a stay order on the execution.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was not aware of the development. No state counsel was present at the chamber judge’s house when he heard the prayer of Molla’s counsels.

“We did not receive any notice regarding the move of the defence counsels that they were going to appeal on get a stay order on Quader Molla’s execution,” Additional Attorney General MK Rahman told journalist around midnight after knowing from media about the order.

“However, the court can give order on its own and we will fight in the court,” he said.

It was not clear whether Molla’s lawyers went to the chamber judge’s house only with the plea or with the application of reviewing the Appellate Division verdict.

Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam at 10:37pm yesterday  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

Faruk Ahmed new chief selector

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Quader Molla receives last minute stay n Julfikar Ali Manik

Sport

P16 SAYEDEE WITNESS DIES

tary-general, representatives of both parties have met and engaged in a dialogue,” the UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs said at the sudden informal press briefing.

“I have decided to extend my stay here in Bangladesh given the positive developments that have been taking place,” he said. “Both sides have agreed

Police Superintendent Abdul Baten said the covered van was heading towards Bogra. The victims were on way to their village home at Ullapara in Sirajganj from Rupganj of Narayanganj.

The family failed to board any bus and they managed the van of Partex Group for the journey.

As the driver pulled it up for a short break on Pubail Roada group of activists Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir came in a flash procession and threw a petrol bomb at the van.

As the mother and her seven-yearold daughter were traveling in the driver’s cabin they could not manage to come out of the vehicle.

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Sanowar Jahan, wife of death row convict Abdul Quader Molla, shows victory sign as she leaves Dhaka Central Jail after meeting her husband

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Dialogue ball starts rolling Shahariar Zaman and n Sheikh Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

A light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, as the process for holding the long expected dialogue between the Awami League and BNP finally started yesterday, at the mediation of UN envoy Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

Fernandez-Taranco, who had been

tight-lipped about the dialogue initiatives, yesterday evening said the government and the opposition were engaged in a dialogue to resolve the current conflict at the intervention of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

He also postponed his departure from Dhaka for 24 hours. He was schedule to leave yesterday evening.

“At the invitation of the UN secre-

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

His testimony confirmed death for Sayedee n Udisa Islam Mostafa Hawlader, who died early yesterday after being chopped allegedly by activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir in Pirojpur two days ago, was the key witness in the case against war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee.

Early last year, he gave deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal 1 on charge eight which was related with the murder of Ibrahim Kutti. And on his eye-witness testimony, the tribunal gave Sayedee death penalty.

The verdict said: “In consideration of the gravity and magnitude of the offences committed particularly in charge eight, we unanimously hold that the accused deserves the highest punishment as provided under section 20(2) of the ICT Act of 1973.”

Prosecutor Haider Ali said: “Doing his duty as freedom fighter, he had to face an unnatural death.”

In his deposition, Mostafa said: “Around 3pm on May 8, 1971, the Pakistani occupation army under Sayedee’s leadership raided the house of one Manik Posari at village Chitholia under Pirojpur Sadar police station and caught his servants Mofizuddin Poshari and one Ibrahim Kutti. Instigated

by Sayedee, the army personnel shot to dead Ibrahim on way to the local army camp. Then they dumped the body near a bridge. Mofiz was taken to the camp and was tortured.”

The witness had confirmed that Delawar Hossain Shikder, Danesh Molla, Sekander Shikder, Kalil Moulovi, Moslem Maulana, Mozahar Mollick were the member of Peace Committee.

Reinforcing the testimonies of the previous witnesses, Mostafa told the tribunal that he had seen Sayedee along with other collaborators looting and burning a number of shops in Parerhat Bazar in 1971. He also said the death row convict had been with the army all the time. He eye witnessed these incidents.

From the north side of the bazar, the witness said he had seen 52 Pakistani army men going there on 26 rickshaws.

“Sayedee raising his hand showed them the houses and shops of the Hindus and the Awami League supporters.

Law enforcers on high alert

n Kailash Sarkar and Rabiul Islam Centring the imminent execution of convicted war criminal Abdul Quader Molla, security was beefed up across the country yesterday at multiple levels to maintain law and order and prevent any subversive activities.

Alongside the regular forces, a significant number of BGB troops have been deployed across the country, while police, Rab and other security units asked to remain on the highest alert.

Kamal Uddin Ahmed, additional home secretary (political), told the Dhaka Tribune that the measures had been taken following reports from different intelligence agencies. l

Jamaat: Political killing, if Quader Molla executed n Tribune Reports

When it was confirmed by the government that death row convict Abdul Quader Molla would be executed last night, Jamaat-e-Islami issued a statement saying that it would be a political killing if the government had executed him.

Jamaat acting ameer Mokbul Ahmed said: “The government is unwilling to provide him [Quader Molla] minimum constitutional and legal rights and thus it will be considered as a political killing.”

“The government has snatched his rights and announced executing the verdict tonight,” though Quader Molla was supposed to get another 21 days as per the jail code, the statement reads.

Jamaat claims that the verdict was a plan of the government and it played both direct and indirect role to affect many verdicts of the war crimes tribunal.

The key ally of the BNP-led 18-party alliance, Jamaat through the statement urged the international human rights watchdogs, communities and the United Nations to raise voice against the “killing.” l

Then they crossed the nearby bridge and ordered to loot the shops and houses. Some 30-35 shops and houses were looted at that time.”

Later the army men had gone to Manik Poshari’s house and set fire to three of the homesteads and one silo. Seeing the fire and smoke, Mofiz (another Witness) and Ibrahim Kutti ran towards the house from the crop land. Sayedee grabbed them and took to the army camp. On the way, the army men killed Ibrahim by shooting near Thana Ghat and kicked him into the canal.

The witness said he had heard the sound of gunshot.

The prosecution said Mostafa as a freedom fighter had tried to manage the other witnesses positively. He was facing threats from the very beginning of the trial process. After giving

statement to investigation officer, the supporters of Sayedee threatened him with life continuously.

Upon Mostafa’s claim, the prosecution claimed that they had informed Zianagar police station to give his protection.

On the death of Mostafa, Shahidur Rahman, conducting prosecutor of the trial against Sayedee, said after this type of incidents, “our work become more critical. The witnesses will feel insecure to appear before the court.”

Helal Uddin, investigation officer in Sayedee case, said Mostafa had arranged many witnesses and evidence.

“As he told us about the threats, we arranged some protection for him too.

But how long we can provide it?”

He said to protect the witnesses, building social awareness was necessary. l

Mostafa Hawlader

Six nabbed for killing Sayedee witness n Anisur Rahman Swapan, Barisal Police arrested six people in connection with killing Mostafa Hawlader, a prosecution witness for the prosecution in the case against condemned prisoner Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee.

Mostafa was injured in an attack by miscreants and succumbed to his injuries early yesterday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Unidentified miscreants stabbed Mostafa, 58, in his house at Hoglabunia village of Parerhut under Indurkani police station of Zianagor in Pirojpur early Sunday.

His wife Hasina Begum also sustained minor injuries as she tried to resist the attackers who entered the house by digging the earthen floor.

They were first admitted to Pirojpur General Hospital at night and then Mostafa was sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.

After his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the DMCH in a critical condition.

After the incident, Abdul Majid, the victim's brother, lodged an attemptto-murder case against nine people persons with Indurkani police, said Qamruzzaman Haoladar, officer-incharge of the station.

Without disclosing any political

identity of the arrestees, the police said they had arrested Rumi Talukdar, of Umedpur, Solaiman of Hoglabuna, Boni Amin, Barek, Moslem, Obaidul, from different parts of the upazila.

Victim Mostafa was the eighth prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Sayedee, the Jamaat nayeb-e-ameer (central vicepresident), who was given death penalty by the zInternational Crimes Tribunal on february 28 for committing crimes against humanity in Pirojpur during the 1971 Liberation War. Following the news of Mostafa’s death, business enterprises and markets in Parerhat and the surrounding areas were shut and people wearing black badges went to his house.

Mostafa left behind his wife, three sons and two daughters. His eldest son Monir Hawlader was killed in a road accident in December last year.

His youngest daughter Sonia Akter, 14, who is a grade VIII student of Parerhut Girls' School, demanded capital punishment for the killers of her father.

Earlier, Jamaat-Shibir activists on October 28, attacked the house of Mahbubul Alam Hawlader, upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad commander and plaintiff in the case against Sayedee.

Some 200 Jamaat-Shibir supporters ransacked and looted his house in broad daylight.. l

UK expresses concern over Molla’s execution n Tribune Report

Mahmud Hossain Opu

Referring to the execution of war criminal Abdul Qader Molla, Britain has expressed concerns over the use of death penalty in Bangladesh.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, British Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said: “I am deeply concerned at reports of plans to execute Abdul Qader Molla in the coming days.

“The UK calls again for Bangladesh to implement a moratorium on the death penalty leading to the eventual abolition of the death penalty.”

Britain opposes the death penalty in

all circumstances as a matter of principle and considers that its use undermines human dignity and that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value.

“We further note that Abdul Qader Molla was sentenced to death following an appeal permitted under retrospectively applied legislation, and that he was not permitted to review his sentence before the Supreme Court.”

Bangladesh’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) require that all citizens be treated equally before the law. l

Syed Ashraful Islam led the Awami League delegation while BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led the BNP side at the meeting.

The Awami League side also had Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, and prime minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, while the BNP delegation comprised Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan and Vice-Chairman Shamser Mobin Chowdhury.

After the meeting, the delegation went to their party chiefs to discuss the details of the meeting.

In a statement, the Awami League said it had asked the opposition to create a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue, stopping hartal, blockade, de-

struction of state properties and killing.

In reply to the BNP’s demand for the release of detained leaders and activists, the Awami League said if destructive activities stopped, the atmosphere for discussing the release of the detained leaders and activists would be created.

The atmosphere for holding a constructive dialogue over the polls-time government would never take place if destructive activities were not stopped, the Awami League said.

A rumour had spread since morning that a highly secret meeting of the Awami League and the BNP had been going on in a Baridhara house, but the meeting actually took place at the UN official’s residence dodging the media.

In his meeting with Prime Minis-

ter Sheikh Hasina on Saturday, Fernandez-Taranco inquired if there was a scope to shift the date of the 10th general elections, now scheduled for January 5, apparently to ensure BNP’s participation. He is scheduled to meet the PM today again.

He also had meetings with the Awami League delegation at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the afternoon and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the evening.

On Sunday, he had met the Awami League delegation at the residence of Gowher Rizvi and BNP leader Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Sabihuddin Ahmed at Shamsher’s Banani residence. None from the two parties revealed anything to the media about the meetings.

The two major political parties have been engaged in a conflict over the formation of the polls-time government for a long time; the Election Commission meanwhile declared the election schedule.

The BNP and its allies and the Jatiya Party boycotted the elections while the Awami League and its allies already submitted nomination papers for the polls.

After meeting with the chief election officer, Fernandez-Taranco said: “I do believe there is a possibility of finding a peaceful solution to this current deadlock if you have political will, if you have leadership, if we have an attitude of compromise and, most importantly, if you are able to engage in peaceful dialogue.” l

ed to execute the war criminal last night.

State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam at the same press briefing also talked about the government’s decision. He told journalists that the convict had refused to seek presidential pardon.

According to the prison authorities, Quader Molla’s family members went to the Dhaka Central Jail after 8pm to meet him for the last time.

The chamber judge, Justice Syed Mahmud, was also a member of the five-member Appellate Division bench that sentenced Quader Molla to death.

The bench was headed by Chief Justice Muzammel Hossain. The other members are Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Wahhab Mia and Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik.

All the judges but Justice Wahhab awarded Quader Molla death sentence.

He awarded the war criminal life-term for the crimes against humanity he had committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The scope of the review has been an issue of debate for the last couple of days as the defence claims it is their constitutional right.

After the release of the full judgement, the defence counsels said they would file a review petition with the Supreme Court as per the constitutional provision within 30 days of receiving certified copy of the verdict.

The ICT Act says: “The sentence awarded under this Act shall be carried

out in accordance with the orders of the government.”

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the Dhaka Tribune last night that according to article 47(3) of the constitution the defence did not have any right of reviewing the judgement. He also said the jail codes would not be applicable in the cases for crimes against humanity.

According to the article, no provision of the ICT law (to try accused for crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and others) would be considered unlawful, even if it is inconsistent with, or repugnant to any of the provisions of the constitution.

On these issues, the prosecution lawyers say the constitutional scope for reviewing the apex court’s judgement would not be applicable for persons convicted for crimes against humanity. Even the provisions of the jail code for implementing death penalty would not be applicable for this case.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people, mainly youths, started to gather in Shahbagh area since last evening when they came to know about the decision of executing Quader Molla to celebrate the long-cherished moment for which the nation has been waiting for the last 42 years.

But when they came to know about the stay order, Ganajagaran Mancha organisers announced a sit-in programme at Shahbagh intersection until the execution of the war criminal. l

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daughter to Gazipur Police Station.

“The injured have been admitted to Gazipur Hospital,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Meanwhile, in Feni apart from hurling petrol bombs Shibir men tried to break in a Sonali Bank branch office.

But on-duty security police there fired shots to disperse them.

Incidents of violence were also reported from Rajshahi, Joypurhat and Gaibandha last night. Besides, in Chittagong Jamaat men torched a number of vehicles and blasted crude bombs.

At Binodpur of Rajshahi and in Joypurhat Jamaat-Shibir men torched the Awami League offices.

Police said at Binodpur in Rajshahi city Jamaat torched AL office around 10pm.

They also burnt a number of shops.

In Joypurhat they torched district General Secretary SM Solaiman Ali’s residence and the AL office.

In Gaibandha, Jamaat-Shibir on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway torched a number of vehicles, shops and 12 houses of several Al leaders and activists from 8pm.

They blasted more than a hundred crude bombs to spread panic. Police fired bullets from shot guns to bring the situation under control.

In Chittagong, from a protest procession against the Jamaat leader’s execution they torched a bus, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and two tempos. l

Relatives burst into tears in front of the corpse of Mostafa Hawlader at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday

Dialogue ball starts rolling  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

to continue their dialogue in a spirit of goodwill and compromise.”

Fernandez-Taranco said: “I want to take this opportunity to applaud the decision [of the both parties] to sit down and seize this important opportunity.

“This shows political leadership, responsibility and courage and it is also an answer to the expectations of the people of Bangladesh.”

The BNP, which also refused to talk about the meeting outcome, issued a statement yesterday evening, confirming that leaders from both parties had met at the residence of the UN resident coordinator in the afternoon and agreed to continue the dialogue on polls-time government.

Awami League General Secretary

Quader Molla receives last minute stay  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

only confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune over phone that the chamber judge had stayed the execution and set 10:30am today to hear the review petition.

A defence counsel claimed that they had gone to the chamber judge only with a stay petition as the Dhaka Central Jail authorities was ready to hang Quader Molla around midnight.

In protest against the execution order and demanding release of Quader Molla, Jamaat last night announced a countrywide daylong shutdown for today. The ongoing rail, road and waterway blockade enforced by the 18-party opposition alliance would continue simultaneously.

The Appellate Division sentenced the Jamaat leader to death overruling the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal 2 that gave him life-term imprisonment on February 5. The full verdict was released on Thursday. On receiving copy of the full text, the tribunal on Sunday issued death warrant to execute the capital punishment.

In line with the International Crimes (tribunals) Act 1973, the government ordered to execute Quader Molla last night.

As per the government directives, the prison authorities were all set to implement the verdict and gallows was ready to hang him at 12:01am.

Earlier in the evening, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku announced that the government had decid-

Three killed

The father with his two-year-old daughter jumped out of the van with little injuries.

In another incident a teenage Shibir activist Salman died being hit by stray bullets during a clash between police and Jamaat-Shibir cadres in Feni around 10pm.

The clash erupted after the Shibir men hurled a petrol bomb at the car of Feni Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moazzem Hossain. The 15-year-old deceased was a Class X student of a Shibir-controlled madrasa.

Earlier, the government was threatened with dire consequences if the party’s Assistant Secretary General Quader Moll is executed.

In a press release last night Jamaat Acting Secretary General Shafiqur Rahman termed the execution of Quader Mollah conspiracy adding: “If the government executes this conspiracy, the consequences will be deadly.”

However, around 10pm the chamber judge of the Supreme Court stayed the execution till 10:30am today responding to a petition moved by the defence lawyers.

In the Gazipur incident a trainee Sub-Inspector Mosarref Hossain sustained burn injuries as he tried to catch the activists soon after they torched the covered van. The SP said they had taken the bodies of the mother and her

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

No headway in probe of Kalpana Chakma abduction n Muktasree Chakma Sathi

The country did not stop observing the Human Rights Day every year after rights activist Kalpana Chakma disappeared 17 years ago; but there has been little progress in investigation into the alleged abduction.

Police, who were supposed to file a fresh investigation report yesterday, sought more time from the Rangamati Judicial Court. The court which set yesterday for report submission, extended the deadline until January 26.

Kalpana, an indigenous and women’s rights activist, was allegedly abducted by a group of law enforcers, led by an army personnel of the lieutenant rank, on June 12, 1996 – the day the 7th parliamentary elections were held.

Kalpana was reportedly campaigning in favour of Bijoy Ketan Chakma, then senior presidium member of the Pahari Gana Parisad and an independent candidate in the 1996 elections.

Bijoy told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “Kalpana was one of the few women at that time who was vocal about indigenous rights. The abduction could have been an attempt to thwart the heated situation before the peace accord was signed.”

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord is a political agreement signed between the government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (United People’s Party of the Chittagong Hill Tracts) in 1997 that ended decades-long struggle between the Shanti Bahini – an insurgent group, who fought for the rights of ethnic minorities – and the government forces.

Over the last 17 years, there has never been any concrete information available about the army lieutenant, whom Kalpana’s close associates have linked with the alleged abduction.

So far, three reports – two final reports including one from CID and one from a judicial inquiry commission

– have been placed before the court.

None of those reports mentioned names of any accused.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police concluded investigation 16 years after the alleged abduction. The court rejected the report saying it did not identify the abductors and lacked information about Kalpana’s whereabouts.

On January 16 this year, the court appointed Rangamati Police Super Amena Begum for reinvestigating the incident. Yesterday, Amena failed to submit the investigation report and prayed for more time.

Without specifying why it was taking such a long time, Amena told the Dhaka Tribune that she needed more time to finish investigation.

On April 24, Amena filed a petition with the court praying for giving the investigation duty back to the CID and involving the additional superintendent of police. The court, however, did not

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

entertain the prayer and ordered her to proceed with her duty.

Kalpana’s brother Kalindi Kumar Chakma, who claimed to be a witness of the alleged abduction, told the Dhaka Tribune: “It seems they [law enforcers] are playing a game with us. I am frustrated. All I can do now is call upon the conscious people of the country who believe in humanity to help me ensure justice for my sister, whom we lost 17 years ago.”

The slow pace of investigation has recently triggered a global campaign for ensuring justice for Kalpana and her family.

On November 13, Amnesty International started a campaign titled “Write for Rights” on and requested solidarity letters for Kalindi. Till date, Amnesty received a total of 150 letters from around the world.

This year’s theme for the Human Rights Day is “20 Years Working for Your Rights.” l

Two witnesses testify against Khokon Razakar n Udisa Islam Two prosecution witnesses in the case against absconding Zahid Hossain Khokon alias Khokon Razakar told the war crimes tribunal yesterday about his alleged involvement in the killings and arson at Goaldi village of Nagarkanda during the 1971 Liberation War. They said Khokon had been the leader of the collaborators’ group which carried out massacre in their village alongside the Pakistani occupation army.

Both the witnesses submitted their depositions at the International Crimes Tribunal 1 about the same incident mentioned in charge five and seven.

Twelfth prosecution witness Hannan Munshi said Khokon had killed his two year old sister. “Khokon with his accomplices and the Pakistani army came to our village on May 31, 1971. After seeing them, they tried to flee the village. At that time, Khokon shot my mother. But the bullet hit my sister’s chest who was on my mother’s lap. My mother was escaped.”

Later they had taken shelter at Jhaturdia where his brother’s father-in

law lived. After two days, when they returned to their own village, they found it burnt into ashes.

He met Ramesh Chandra Roy, who told Hannan that his grandfather Rajendranath Roy had been shot to dead by Khokon at a jute field near their house.

Ramesh yesterday gave his deposition as the 13th witness and told the tribunal about the death of his grandfather. He claimed that Khokon had killed many people in Nagarkanda.

Then a 29-year-old businessman, Ramesh said Khokon and his accomplices had burnt their village. “When my grandfather tried to hide in a jute field, they shot and killed him.”

After the depositions, state defence counsel Md Abdus Shukur Khan cross examined the witnesses separately.

After a half-day session, the tribunal fixed today for placing new witness.

Meanwhile, the same tribunal yesterday adjourned the hearing on reviewing the indictment order against ATM Azhar as the defence counsels had not appeared at the court because of the blockade programmes. l

Tribunal closes cross-examination of another witness n Udisa Islam

Ganajagoran Mancha sit-in until withdrawal of stay n Arif Ahmed

The International Crimes Tribunal 2 yesterday was irked as the conducting defence counsel had been skipping the court proceedings during the ongoing blockade.

The tribunal closed the cross-examination of 16th prosecution witness Lutfar Rahman Nakib who testified on Monday as the junior defence lawyers denied to quiz the witness.

Senior defence counsel Mizanur Rahman remained absent since November 25 when the opposition had enforced nationwide blockade programmes protesting the polls schedule declared by the Election Commission.

For this, the tribunal had earlier closed cross-examination of four prosecution witnesses.

On Monday, the tribunal warned accused AKM Yusuf and gave him four options to continue the trial process.

It fixed today Wednesday for order on this matter.

The tribunal asked Yusuf whether he would question the witness himself, order the junior counsel to cross examine, appoint new counsel or else the tribunal can appoint a new lawyer.

Yusuf said he would not be able to quiz the witnesses because of his illness and age. l

Ganajagaran Mancha last night declared to stage a sit-in programme at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital until the stay on the execution of war criminal Quader Molla was withdrawn.

Though the government directed the Dhaka Central Jail authority to hang the Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general at 12:01am today, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain last night, in an unprecedented move, halted the process till 10.30am of today, following a defence petition.

The move agitated the platform fuelled by the spirit of Liberation War. Imran H Sarkar, spokesperson of Ganajagaran Mancha, said: “We were waiting for the execution of the death penalty. What happened in the dark of night that the hanging got blocked?”

The platform was organised, when on February 5, the International Crimes Tribunal gave life term imprisonment instead of death penalty to Molla.

The government amended the tribunal law later that month giving right of appeal to both the sides against the tribunal verdict.

On September 17 the Appellate Division sentenced Molla to death. The full text of the verdict was released following which, the death warrant issued on December 8. l

Activists of Ganajagaran Mancha hold a torch procession in the city yesterday, protesting Mostafa’s killing, a prosecution witness at the trial of Sayedee

Appeals of six war criminals still pending with apex court n Nazmus Sakib Appeals of six war criminals are still pending in the top court with the apex court hearing the case of death-row convict Delowar Hossain Sayedee who lodged an appeal on March 28 against the judgement of February 28 by the war crimes tribunal.

There is a little chance for the other cases to be heard with the top court adopting the policy of disposing of the cases one by one.

Since the inception of war crimes trial in January 2010, two tribunals have already delivered verdicts on nine cases since January 21 this year.

Excepting two cases the seven others were challenged in the Appellate Division.

The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 states that the government and the defence can appeal to

the Appellate Division within 30 days of the verdict pronounced by the tribunals.

Death-row convict Jamaat leader Mohammad Kamaruzzaman appealed against the verdict on June 6.

Former Jamaat Chief Ghulam Azam was given 90 years’ imprisonment considering his old age and heath though the tribunal judges said he had deserved death sentence.

The convict filed appeal on August 5 for acquittal while the government also filed an appeal a week later seeking death penalty.

Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, the Jamaat secretary general, filed appeal on August 11 against the capital punishment handed down to him.

Death-row convict Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, member of the BNP standing committee, lodged an appeal on October 28 against the verdict of Oc-

tober 1 while Abdul Alim, former BNP minister, filed an appeal on November 7 against the verdicts that sentenced him to death.

Meanwhile, fugitive Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar, a former Jamaat-e-Islami member, did not appeal against the death sentence he was given on January 21 by the tribunal.

He has been absconding since the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.

In addition, two absconding al-Badr leaders Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan, who were given death penalty on November 3 for killing intellectuals on the eve of independence, also did not lodge appeals.

The trio could not appeal against the death sentence as the stipulated timeframe is over, and if they are caught they have to walk to the gallows. l

‘Razakars killed 21 on Yusuf’s order’ n Udisa Islam A prosecution witness yesterday told the war crimes tribunal that he had witnessed the killing of at least 21 Hindu and pro-liberation people by the razakar force which was formed and led by accused AKM Yusuf in Bhasa village of Khulna during the 1971 Liberation War. The 17th prosecution witness, Taiyab Ali Khan, said: “I along with my uncle Anwar Khan was at the local market of Bhasa village on Ashwin 30 [a month

of Bangla calendar]. In the evening, around 50-60 razakars came to the haat and started confining people. Since, we were supporters of the Awami League, I hid myself in a sugarcane field but they confined my uncle along with other people. Altogether, the razakar confined 22 persons. Among them, 18 were Hindus.”

Later, the collaborators shot them indiscriminately. “Except one, all of them died on the spot. Sunil was the only one who survived even after getting shot and charged by bayonet,”

said Taiyab, 85, told the International Crimes Tribunal 2.

“I searched for my uncle’s body and found him in a canal. I found Sunil breathing when I was looking for my uncle,” he added.

Earlier, Taiyab also told the tribunal that Yusuf had been the chairman of Khulna district Peace Committee in 1971.

Later, he had formed the razakar force and instructed them to eliminate the Hindus and the pro-liberation people. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Freedom fighters demand execution of war criminals n Mohammad Atiqur Rahman Freedom fighters, yesterday, after holding a procession titled ‘Bijoy Rally’ demanded the government to execute the war crime verdicts, and to put an end to the recent mayhem by Jamaat-Shibir activists.

Bijoy Rally’ that started from Matsha Bhaban intersection marched through the main streets of the city and ended up at the Shaheed Minar where they hold a rally and stressed that all the criminals who commit crimes against humanity should be executed.

Sahidullah, a freedom fighter who was hurt on his leg during the war, joined the rally after coming from Sunamganj, was walking with a flag, pleaded to the government to hang the war criminals.

Like Sahidullah, another freedom fighter Md Yunus Master, who came

from Sonaimuri of Noakhali, a far distant place from the capital, also has been waiting to see the punishment of war criminals.

Common people from different age group who joined at the rally, also echoed the demand of freedom fighters.

Speakers at the rally claimed that Jamaat-Shibir men have been doing the violence in the country like they did during the liberation war.

Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad’s Chairperson Kabir Ahmed, its Vice Chairperson Dr SM Jahangir Alam, it’s former Chairman Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, Kali Narayan Lodh, Brigadier General (retd) Mohiuddin, freedom fighters were present at the programme.

Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Shahjahan Khan, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin Rashed Khan Menon, and Hasanul Haq Inu also joined the rally at the Shaheed Minar. l

ICT witnesses protection law demanded n Arif Ahmed Ganajagaran Mancha yesterday demanded a new law for the protection of witnesses, testifying against war criminals in the International Crimes Tribunal.

“The ICT witnesses do not have sufficient security. We demand a law in this regard, for the protection of those, who will testify against war criminals,” said Convener of Ganajagaran Mancha Imran H Sarkar.

He placed the demand yesterday in the evening after attending a torch procession, protesting deaths of one of their activist in Bogra and an ICT witness. The procession began from Shahbagh at 6pm. Imran said: “About 20 Mancha activists have been killed since February 5, but none of those murders saw proper justice.”

“The anti-liberation forces continue their killing activities as the law enforcement forces have not taken any appropriate action yet,” Imran added.

Imran criticised the government and demanded its immediate steps to make sure punitive actions were taken against the criminals. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

EC approves 15 candidates for participating in polls The polls body also to deliver verdict on another 60 appeals

n Mohammad Zakaria The Election Commission allowed 15 candidates to participate in the 10th parliamentary polls after hearing their appeals yesterday.

It delivered verdict to 30 appeals after hearing 60 of them. Among them, the commission approved applications of 15 candidates and declared them as valid for participating in the upcoming polls.

The commission would deliver verdict on 60 appeals today, rest of the appeals would be heard on Thursday, EC officials said.

The EC announced Awami League nominated AKM Shahjahan Kamal as a

valid candidate for the Laxmipur-3 parliamentary constituency. The constituency had no valid candidate after the returning officer had scrutinised the nominations.

Kamal is the lone candidate in the constituency and would likely be elected as MP uncontested as there was no other valid candidate, EC officials said.

The 15 approved candidates are AKM Shahjahan Kamal of Laxmipur-3, Nayed Ali of Jenaidah-1, Naznin Alam of Mymensingh-3, Amirul Islam of Noakhali-6, Shahriar iqbal of Feni-1, Absar Ali of Rangamati Hilly district, Motalib Hossain of Kurigram-4, AKM Sharif Uddin of Laxmipur-4, Mokhlesur Rah-

man of Meherpur-2, Iftekhar Ahmad Milon of Sylhet-1, Razi Mohammad Fakhrul of Comilla-4, Syeda Khurshid Jahan Haque of Gaibandha-1, Aftab Uddin Sarkar of Nilphamari-1, Maktobur Rahman of Gaibandha-2 and Ismail Mahmud of Dhaka-8 parliamentary constituencies.

About 138 aspirant candidates had filed appeal to the Election Commission against cancellation of their nomination by the returning officer during the scrutiny.

Election Commission cancelled 260 nominations out of 1107 submitted for the 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5. l

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

EC finalises 37,711 polling centres n Mohammad Zakaria The Election Commission has finalised 37,711 polling centres and 189,053 polling booths across the country for the 10th parliamentary elections slated for January 5.

The EC sent the final list to the Bangladesh Government Press for printing as a gazette yesterday, officials said.

The number of polling centres was increased by 2,448 from the last general elections, considering the higher number of voters this time, they said.

All the previous polling centres have been included in the new list.

In the 9th parliamentary polls, held on December 29, 2008, there were 35,263 polling centres and 177,277 polling booths for about 81 million voters, whereas nearly 92 million voters are currently listed on the electoral roll. l

Vandalism in medical college in Savar, 21 arrested n Mahadi Al Hasnat

At least 21 students and physicians of Ganashasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College under Gana Bishwabidyalaya in Savar were detained yesterday as they went on rampage inside the medical college and on Dhaka-Aricha highway following the death of Dr Murad in Patuakhali.

Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia police station Sheikh Badrul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune: “Some 21 students and physicians were held by the police and steps would be taken following the decisions of higher authorities.”

Witnesses said agitating students since Monday night had been storming the entire hospital area vandalising several departments and looting its pharmacy and cash counter of the hospital.

Source said the unrest arouse after the death of Md Makhlukur Rahman Mudad, a doctor of the hospital who was found dead on Sunday in Patuakhali.

The authorities claimed that agitated students forced the patients to flee the hospital and looted a pharmacy and the cash counter of the hospital.

However, the agitators denied the allegations, claiming that they only van-

dalised some buildings as the authorities did not pay heed to their demands regarding the death of Dr Murad.

The agitators demand that the mystery of the doctor’s death be unveiled, saying that they would not go to the sub-centres of Gonoshasthaya Kendra until proper securities were ensured.

Meanwhile, they also postponed the classes and examinations and declared work abstention, demanding Dr Murad’s family be provided compensation.

The agitators alleged that authorities were blaming them to mislead the situation, and claimed that police as-

saulted the agitators on Dhaka-Aricha highway while they were demonstrating peacefully.

Meanwhile, female students and doctors claimed that they were threatened by local terrorists to withdraw the movement while policemen assaulted them, launching raids in their hostel adjacent to the hospital.

Abu Taher, administrative officer of Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College, told the Dhaka Tribune that the authorities had filed a case in this regard on Monday night, alleging that valuables worth Tk2 crore were wasted because of the attack. l

The road in front of the National Press Club gets stuck with huge traffic congestion as Bangladesh Human Rights Council organised a human chain and mass rally yesterday, marking the International Human Rights Day SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Teachers movement cripples JU, VC’s leave extended n JU Correspondent

Two women hold flags during a human chain organised by National Garments Sramik Federation in front of the National Press Club yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

WEATHER

Dry weather likely n UNB Light rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Chittagong, Khulna and Barisal divisions until 6pm today.

Weather might remain dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, Met Office said.

Night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:13pm today and rises at 6:31am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 29.8 degree Celsius was recorded at Srimangal and lowest 12.9 degrees at Srimangal yesterday.

Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were: City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

28.6 28.2 28.5 27.7 28.0 27.5 29.4 28.5

18.0 20.0 14.5 15.6 16.5 15.5 16.8 20.5

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:10am 6:30am 11:51am 3:36pm 5:12pm 6:32pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Prof Anwar Hossain, vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) has extended his leave for 10 more days, counting from today, JU Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique confirmed in a press briefing yesterday.

Pro VC Prof M A Matin (education) would assume the duties of the acting VC till December 20, he said.

This is the fourth time the VC had extended his leave. He had been on a medical leave since November 20, sources said.

Demanding quick execution of the chancellor’s directives, the agitating teachers, students, and employees of the ongoing anti-VC movement have shut all the administrative activities of the university.

On November 6, President Abdul Hamid, also the chancellor of the university had asked the VC to hold senate polls immediately and select a VC panel through the senate in line with the JU act for resolving the ongoing crisis.

The chancellor had also asked the VC

that he withdrew the writ petitions filed against some teachers of the university.

From November 20, JU teachers confined two pro-VCs, Prof MA Matin (education) and Prof Afsar Ahmed (administration) and released them after 12 days of confinement.

Members of the JU Teachers-Students and Officers-Employees United Forum had shut the administrative office bringing all kinds of administrative activities to a standstill, as the authorities allegedly had not taken any initiative to hold VC panel elections and withdraw writ petitions against the teachers.

Later, they force-confined Prof Anwar Hossain to his residence since December 2.

After three days of the confinement, the VC left JU for Dhaka under strict police security following government decision.

Although the government has sent the VC on a leave, the forum is yet to withdraw the movement. They locked and sealed the VC’s residence on the campus from Monday that he was prohibited on campus, source said.

A number of former students alleged that they could not issue their certificates and other necessary papers because of the stalemate.

The current students are not being able to take admission for the next semester.

At a press conference, United Forum’s Secretary Prof Kamrul Ahsan said they were agitating to execute the chancellor’s order.

They would not withdraw the movement until the VC panel election was declared, he said.

The university’s admission tests for the academic year 2013-14, hangs in limbo. The admission test was scheduled to be held from December 17-29 but it might be rescheduled again because of lack of preparation, source said.

Earlier, VC Prof Anwar Hossain was determined to hold the admission test from December 2 but his initiative failed as a section of teachers denied to cooperate with him.

VC Prof Anwar Hossain was not available over his cell phone despite several attempts. l

Drilling at gas fields to be delayed as blockades disrupt rig transportation

Election Comission’s polls budget may cross Tk 500cr

n Aminur Rahman Rasel

n Mohammad Zakaria

Drillings at several sites by Bapex were faced with delays as transportation of necessary equipment was severely disrupted across the country because of the nationwide non-stop blockade programme enforced by BNP-led 14-party alliance.

The political unrest has also interrupted transporting condensates, which is likely have negative impacts at different gas fields.

“Generally it needs about 3-4 months to shift the equipment, but currently we cannot do so. The process has already been deferred by a month for political unrest,” MA Baki, managing director of Bapex told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Projects under Bapex will lag behind in implementation, resulting in gas production being delayed and increased project cost,” he said.

“We could not carry goods for the last one month fearing vandalism and hartal related violence,” he said.

“In this regard, digging wells will be deferred, consequently gas extractions will also be deferred, and its negative impact will be felt in the energy sector.”

He said extracted condensates could not also be transported for reefing to refinery centres for the blockades. Every day about 7,000kg of condensate is being produced from 19 gas fields as by-product.

“Daily goods for the site officials, employees and labourers were also

stuck, this might result in suspension of production at gas fields,” he said.

“We were scheduled to transfer rig equipment from Begumgonj gas field in Noakhali to Semutang gas field in Chittagong. But we have failed to do so for one and a half months.”

Hossain Monsur, chairman of Petrobangla, said supplying gas to power sector will hamper the Boro production. Fertiliser companies will also suffer from gas crisis if the present condition prevails.

He said Petrobangla was now allocating 700mmcfd of gas for power stations, which would be increased to 950mmcfd-1000mmcfd against the demand of 1100mmcfd during the irrigation period. l

Bangladesh Ansar headquarters has sent a letter to the Election Commission seeking Tk206 crores for maintaining law and order during general elections.

The amount sought by the internal security force is likely to exceed the commission’s Tk500 crore polls budget.

Earlier, Bangladesh Police asked for nearly Tk150 crore from the EC for law enforcement duties during the polls.

The commission has earmarked Tk175 crores for 29 sectors for conducting the elections slated for January 5.

Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard and Armed Force Division were yet to send in their fund requests.

A senior official said the EC’s elec-

tion budget is likely to cross the limit after getting proposals from all the law enforcement agencies.

In the 9th parliament elections, the commission’s budget was Tk300 crore.

According to EC, Tk49 crore was allocated for police and Rab, Tk70 crore for Ansar and Battalion Ansar, Tk10 crore each for BGB and the armed forces.

EC officials said the budget for conducting the upcoming polls may decrease as 33 candidates are set to be elected unopposed. If Jatiya Party boycotts polls, that number may rise to over 100.

The commission would allocate funds constituency-wise, where there will be more than one candidate after withdrawal of nomination papers. l

Fire critically injures three on an oil tanker n Tushar Hayat , Chittagong Three members of a crew on an oil tanker sustained severe burn injuries as a fire broke out on the vessel on Karnaphuli river in Chittagong yesterday.

The vessel named OT Kingfisher-1, was laden with 8,650 tonnes of fuel of Jamuna Oil Limited, a state-owned petroleum marketing company.

The injured are Kamal Uddin, 32, Azmir Hossain, 35, and Mohammed Imon, 25.

They were admitted to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka as their condition

deteriorated.

Jashim Uddin, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire originated from a gas cylinder leakage in the kitchen of the vessel around 9:10am.

The three sustained burn injuries as the fire rapidly engulfed the kitchen and a cabin adjacent. The three were present in the kitchen when the fire broke out, he added.

He said six of their fire-extinguishing units managed to douse the fire by 10:10am with the help of a vessel from the Chittagong Port and equipments of the Jamuna Oil Ltd.

However, the fuel reserved on the tanker remained intact, said Jashim.

Mrinal Kanti Das, chief at the burn unit of CMCH, said Kamal sustained 100% burn injuries while Azmir and Imon sustained 80% and 54% injuries respectively.

Three of them were in a critical state, he said.

Jahirul Islam, in-charge of a police outpost at CMCH, said the injured were shifted to Dhaka around 3pm.

Sources at the Jamuna Oil Ltd said OT Kingfisher-1 was was scheduled to sail for Bagabari Depot in the morning today. l

Maj Gen Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy addresses a programme announcing an attempt to form the biggest human flag on the Victory Day this year. The human flag will be organised

by Robi Axiata Limited in partnership with Bangladesh Army MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Railway counts loss of Tk35 crore in 10 months n Tribune Desk

A human chain was formed in front of the National Press Club in the city yesterday, demanding punishment of the killers of Dr Murad

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

HC ruling halts important city road development work

Bangladesh Railway has suffered a loss of Tk35 crore in its property and infrastructural damage for subversive activities and arson attacks during political shutdowns and blockades over the last 10 months.

“According to our preliminary estimate, recurring attacks on railway stations and bogies and removal of fishplates have caused a loss of Tk35 crore in the last 10 months,” said a senior official of the Railways Ministry.

The official, who preferred not to be named, said the amount of the losses may go up further after the final assessment.

According to data provided by him, the railway sector has seen a total of 57 acts of sabotage, including arson attacks, removal of rail lines and unscrewing of fishplates, during the countrywide transport blockade enforced by the BNP-led 18-party alliance.

Of the total incidents, 29 took place in the East Zone of Bangladesh Railway while 28 in the West Zone.

In the latest attack, a group of suspected blockaders on Monday vandal-

Two people killed by outlawed operatives in Pabna

Unhappy locals move Appellate Division for verdict in their favour n Our Correspondent, Pabna Nowabganj, Keraniganj, Chawk Bazar, gone completely against public inter- for the construction. But it has not given n Abu Hayat Mahmud the consent yet. What can I do now?” and New Market area have to face the ests,” he said.

At least two people were killed in sepWidening of one of the most important and busiest streets at city’s Natun Paltan Line area in Azimpur has been stalled following a High Court ruling, which has been observed by the locals as going against public interest.

The locals expressed their discontent over the ruling issued against construction work for the expansion of an existing 10-12 feet wide and 2,200 feet long public road.

Mahbub Hossain Khan Shahdat, President of Natun Paltan Line Development Committee, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Every day several thousands of people in and around the Natun Paltan Line area move throw this road. At peak hours, the road takes the look of a procession or grand rally, creating unbearable traffic jam,” he added.

The traffic gridlock happens regularly and prevails for a long time, during that time movement in the area become very difficult.

Moreover, not only people from Azimpur Natun Paltan Line, but also from Kamrangir Char, Hazaribagh, Lalbagh,

consequences of this congestion.

Taking the local residents’ long-standing demand in consideration, then Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) took initiative to extend the road by eight feet to the east, back in August last year.

Locals said land for the eight feet extension was supposed to be taken from existing roadside free space, swear drain and three to four feet from the western border of Azimpur Graveyard.

Advocate ABM Rafiq Ullah, a resident of the area said: “The development work was going on when a High Court verdict stopped it.”

One AKM Kazi Zakir Hossain filed a writ petition (no- 14857 of 2012) with the HC last year, saying, his parents graves were in the space selected for extension, he said.

Rafiq Ullah, also a respondent of the petition, said: “In the petition Kazi Zakir Hossain had claimed that the eight feet extension would see almost 1,000 graves demolished, which is not true.”

“As the basis of the HC ruling was Zakir’s exaggerated information, it has

Another resident of the area, Harun-urRashid claimed Zakir Hossain was a former military personnel and owned a house in the area, but lived in Elephant Road.

Authorities concerned, the DSCC and the residents of the area, informed if the extension work could have been carried out, only 30 permanent and temporary graves would actually have to be shifted.

To resolve the crisis, locals and concerned persons for the 30 graves sat for a meeting at the Azimpur Graveyard back in August last year. At the meeting, everyone but Zakir had agreed to shift the permanent graves.

Meanwhile, after hearing the petition, the HC passed its verdict, referring to another similar judgment and the City Corporation Ordinance 1983.

The HC bench of Justice Mrs Farah Mahbub and Justice Mr Abdur Rob delivered the verdict.

Contacted, the local MP Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have personally attended the court’s hearing three times, seeking permission

“However, we have filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the SC. I hope the court will give a special permission considering the interest of the locals and importance of the road,” he said.

DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Ansar Ali Khan echoed MP Mostafa Jalal. The court asked for city corporation high-ups presence at the court yesterday.

Asked about the progress of the development work, Ansar Ali said: “We were forced to stop work due to the HC order, and there have been no progress since.”

In 2006, former BNP MP Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu had taken a decision for constructing a link road from south to north through the Azimpur Graveyard.

Later, Advocate Manzil Murshed, president at Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh had filed a writ petition (no-6235 of 2006) against the link road.

Contacted, Advocate Murshid told the Dhaka Tribune, “I had filed the petition only opposing the new link road, which would have gone through the graveyard and demolished hundreds of graves in the process.” l

arate incidents allegedly by activists of regional outlawed organisations in Pabna on Monday night.

Md Arshed Ali Sardar, 40, who hailed from Chowbaria village of Atghoria upazila, was gunned down by party rivals around 6:15pm, locals said.

Officer-in-Charge of Atghoria police station Md Monirul Islam said a gang of criminals on two motorbikes intercepted Arshed near Chak-Chowkibari Madrasa while he was returning home.

They fired three shots from a close range and fled the scene, leaving Arshed spot dead, the OC added.

Saying that the deceased was a factional leader of outlawed party Nakshal Bahini, the OC suspected that he might have been killed either by his rivals or own party men over intra-party feud.

Police recovered the body from the spot and sent to Pabna Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

On the other hand, Bakul Hossain, 32, a local trader who hailed from Paiksha village in Sathia upazila, was hacked to death by outlaws at Dhulauri

Chhatra Dal enforces strike at Chittagong University n CU Correspondent

Women entrepreneurs form a human chain in Barisal city yesterday with a call to stop political violence

Chittagong University authorities yesterday postponed admission tests of “G” unit and “H” unite because of extension of blockade until Friday 6am imposed by BNP-led 18-party alliance.

The admission tests of the units had earlier postponed for four times due to blockade and hartal enforced by the opposition.

SM Akbar Hossain, deputy registrar and secretary of admission test committee, said the rescheduled date would be announced later.

Institute of Marine Science and Fisheries, and Biological Science Faculty’s admission tests were scheduled for December 13.

A total number of 18733 admission seekers had sent their applications to vie for 662 seats at the units, said admission committee sources.

Jica awards Jamilur Reza Choudhury n Tribune Report

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

The Japan International Cooperation Agency has honoured engineer and educator Jamilur Reza Choudhury with an award for his longstanding contribution to Jica-funded projects in Bangladesh.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith presented the JICA Recognition Award to Choudhury at a function in the capital yesterday.

Takao Toda, Jica chief representative in Bangladesh, acknowledged Choudhury’s contributions to the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Project (now Bangabandhu Bridge), Chittagong Airport Development Project and Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project. l

Women entrepreneurs in Barisal formed a human chain and burnt copies of their trade licenses yesterday, protesting the ongoing political crisis and blockades.

They also expressed concerns that they would not be able to pay workers’ wages, payment of bank loan instalments and any kind of taxes, if such political unrest continued in the country.

The programme was organised by District Women Business Forum, Barisal unit in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall and was presided over by Dr Banolata Murshida, president of the organisation.

The speakers said it was not acceptable

On the other hand, activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal of the university yesterday put the campus’s Agrani Bank office and university’s administrative building under lock and key during a strike imposed by the party.

Rafiqul Islam, in-charge of CU police outpost, said Chhatra Dal activists put the Agrani Bank’s gate and the main gate of the administrative building under lock and key around 7:30am.

Being informed, police went there and had broken open the gates after half an hour, he added.

Anwar Hossain, an assistant proctor of CU, said the activists tried to halt the administrative works; however, police foiled their attempts.

Chhatra Dal, the students front of the BNP, imposed strike yesterday demanding immediate release of its’ Central President Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Juwel and General Secretary Habibur Rahid Habib. l

Bazar around 7pm.

Locals said a gang of outlawed criminals swooped on Bakul while he was returning home from his shop at Dhulauri market, and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him critically injured.

Locals rescued him and rushed him to Pabna Medical College Hospital, where on duty doctor pronounced him dead.

Officer-in-Charge of Santhia police station Md Shahed Mahamud said Bakul had a long standing dispute between the outlaws of Nokshal Bahini faction in the village, adding that he might have been killed over previous enmity.

A gang of outlawed criminals swooped on Bakul while he was returning home from his shop at Dhulauri market, and stabbed him indiscriminately Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Md Miraz Uddin said district police administration was going to launch massive drives to nab the outlawed operatives soon.

When asked, the SP said there was nothing to worry as the two murders were separate incidents. l

Mass robbery in 30 vehicles in Ramu n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar Robbers looted passengers’ mobile phones, cash taka and other valuables in 30 vehicles at gunpoint, and hurt at least 50 passengers on Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf highway at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar on Monday night.

Few passengers, who were hurt injured, were sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, he added.

Passengers claimed that robbers looted money and valuables worth Tk2m.

Eye-witnesses said people of the upazila travel on light vehicles such as rickshaw, van, human haulier at night to avoid the attack of pickets during blockades and hartal.

Md Azad, a victim, who lost his money and mobile phone, said a group of 30-40 armed robbers put a barricade on street and looted indiscriminately. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Women entrepreneurs protest political unrest that political parties would do violence to meet their demands and mass people, including businessmen and professionals, would fall victim to such violence.

They had been forced to announce agitation programmes as their businesses were at the verge of collapse because of the current political crisis, the speakers claimed, adding that the government failed to ensure security of their business.

The participants of the programmes also claimed that their workers were starving and they had been incurring losses because of limited transactions and soaring interests against their loans as miscreants had burnt there business enterprises.

ised the Sylhet railway station damaging its windows and furniture and exploded crude and petrol bombs, leaving two people injured.

Suspected blockade supporters also set fire to railway tracks in Dhaka city’s Tejgaon area on Monday morning during the third day of the 18-party’s 72-hour nationwide transport blockade programme, reports UNB. Official statistic shows that a total of 169 acts of sabotage, including arson attacks, took place in the railway sector from February 28, 2013 to November 5, 2013.

On March 2, miscreants set fire to a number of bogies of an express train, ‘Silk City’, at Rajshahi Railway Station under the West Zone of Bangladesh Railway and removed rail tracks from Sonaimuri-Natherpetoa section under the East Zone, causing a loss of over Tk 7.1 crore in damages.

On April 2, about 30 passengers were injured as six compartments of a Chittagong-bound train, ‘Turnanishita’, from Dhaka derailed in Comilla after unidentified people removed fishplates from the railway tracks. l

They urged the political parties to keep business sectors out of purview of political strikes, saying that frequent blockades, shutdowns, vandalism and arson attacks had almost broken the supply chain and flow of transaction.

If their businesses collapsed because of the political crisis, livelihood of thousands of people directly and indirectly involved in the sector would become vulnerable, they said, adding that the political parties would have to bear the responsibility.

They also warned to take to the streets along with their workers and employees if major political parties failed to reach a consensus within a short period. l

Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury are at the award giving ceremony DHAKA TRIBUNE

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Char children skips schools to earn living n Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat Children of at least 90 chars on the basin of Teesta and Dharla rivers in five upazilas in Lalmonirhat district are more prone to work and earn a living for their families rather than going to school and pursue education.

Because of abject poverty and a lack of awareness raising programmes, the parents deprive their children from going to school and engage them in agriculture and cattle rearing.

An inadequate number of schools and poor communication system adds to the situation by hampering childrens’ access to education living on the chars.

Though there are 55 government and registered primary schools in these char areas, attendance remains extremely poor in these schools round the year.

Although a few guardians send their children to schools, they drop out after a while because of poverty.

Children aged between 8 - 15 usually do not go to school but engage in working on farmlands, as per direction of their parents.

Sahidul Islam, executive director of Gono Prochar Kalyan Sangstha (GPKS), a Dhaka-based NGO, said the male members of the poor families in chars usually go to capital and other districts in search of work leaving their children at home.

Meanwhile, the female guardians face untold problems over maintain-

ing the family expense, as a result, they send their children out of home to work, he said.

They are ignorant about the importance of education because of lack of grooming, he added.

Mostafizur Rahma Kazal, a primary school teacher in Milonbazar char on the Teesta river basin said: “I personally go door to door in the area to persuade the parents to send their children to schools but most of them do not agree showing poverty as a cause.”

A guardian in Bowalmari char in Dharla river basin Barek Miah said he, and other guardians on the chars were not willing to send their children to schools as they knew that ultimately they would not be able to continue to bear the education expenditure of their children.

Officials of District Primary Education office in Lalmonirhat said at least 9000 children in the chars were enlisted in 55 primary schools this year but only 1500 to 2000 of them were regular in attending classes while the rest became irregular as they got engaged agriculture.

Acknowledging the poor communication system and lack of awareness campaigns in chars, District Primary Education Officer Nabez Uddin said they had not received any order to conduct motivational trainings in the char areas to raise awareness among the guardians on sending their children to schools. l

The children living at Sholmari char under Kaligangj upazila could not go to school as their guardians are not aware of the necessity of education DHAKA TRIBUNE

Social commitment a must to combat sexual harassment n Tribune Desk

Social commitment alongside forging resistance have become indispensable to combat sexual harassment against the schoolgirls, speakers told a post-rally discussion in Rajshahi city yesterday.

They said public representatives, parents, civil society members, community and media people should raise voice and work together for preventing sexual harassment.

The meeting styled “Raise voice to eliminate sexual harassment against schoolgirls” held at Chhotobangram Adarsha (Ideal) Girls High School in the city.

“Meyeder Janya Nirapad Nagarikatwa” of Brac organised the programme under its Gender Justice and Diversity project to formulate a set of recommen-

dations on how to expedite the work for combating sexual harassment against the schoolgirls, reports BSS. During their presentations, Sector Specialists of Brac Mejnin, Sayeeda Sogra, Kaosar Been Latif and Rezwana Afroz, highlighted various aspects of collaborative efforts on the issue.

On the occasion, some documentary films were also screened to create awareness among students of the school.

Ward Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Nazma Khatun, Brac District Representative Jahidul Islam, Headmaster of the school Nasima Khatun and President of School Managing Committee Sadrul Islam spoke on the occasion.

The discussants said unemployment, intrusion of foreign culture and weak family bondage were triggering various unexpected incidents like sexu-

n Our Correspondent, Feni A suspected smuggler has been killed and another pedestrian injured as Border Guard Bangladesh personnel opened fire on them in Adalat Math area in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Noakhali .

The deceased was identified as Mia, 52, son of Ismail Hossain of Chhagalnaiya municipality. But, the identity of the pedestrian could not be known immediately.

Local people said two BGB personnel had chased a wood-laden truck which was heading towards Chhagalnaiya Bazar from Korerhat area of Chittagong on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway around 3pm and opened fire on them as the truck driver did not respond to signal,

Lack of preservation facilities hit Jamalpur General Hospital

n Tribune Report

Activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance block Meghna-Dakatia waterway yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Trader jailed for selling birds in Rajshahi

International Anti-Corruption Day observed in Khagrachhari n Tribune Report n Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari A mobile court yesterday sentenced a Khagrachhari District Corruption Prevention Committee has observed International Anti-Corruption Day with a call for combating corruption to ensure good governance. To observe the day, the district administration also held a discussion at the auditorium of district scout office with Director of Khagrachhari Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sudarson Dutta in the chair. Editor of Dainik Aranya Barta Chowdhury Ataur Rahman attended the discussion as chief guest.

Speakers at the programme urged people to fight against corruption to ensure corruption-free society as well as to establish good governance in the country. l

bird trader to a 15-day imprisonment on charge of selling various species of indigenous birds.

Officials of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division jointly conducted the mobile court in Rajshahi Railway Station area.

The court led by Executive Magistrate Joyshree Rani Roy arrested Shafiqul Islam Bhola, 32, son of Lokman Malder, a resident of Seroil area, red-handed while he was selling 30 birds.

Subsequently, the court found him guilty of the charge and pronounced the verdict.

Later, the officials released 48 indigenous birds, including six Rose Ringed Parakeets, 12 spotted doves and 30 Lonchura at Paba Nursery in the city yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury, Paba UNO Razzaqul Islam, Divisional Forest Officers Azit Kumar Rudra and Mollah Rejaul Karim, Director of Forestry Science and Training Institute Sebedar Islam and Biodiversity Conservation Officers Ashraful Islam and Amzad Hossain were present on the occasion.

As part of their continuous drive against illegal marketing of wildlife, hunting and trafficking, the officials rescued the birds after are conducting drives in different areas of the region. l

Valuable equipment and medicines in Jamalpur General Hospital cannot be preserved properly in the absence of a large medical Store room.

Hospital sources said after upgrading the hospital to 250 beds, many modern medical equipment and medicine are allotted to the hospital, but for adequate medical storing facilities those cannot be preserved properly.

Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Hafizur Rahman said more modern equipment have been installed in the hospital including C-ARM x-ray machine, incubator, sucker machine and ultra sonogram machine to increase the health service.

Many others equipment and medicines have also been allotted but for a proper medical storeroom we cannot preserve those.

Many types of equipment which were allotted for the hospital could not be received due to lack of medical storeroom, he added.

About 300 to 400 patients take treatment facilities every day, reports BSS. l

At least 10 people, including manger of a factory, were hurt as a group of armed robbers attacked them at Kudaba in Gazipur city yesterday.

Local people managed to catch five robbers and handed them over to police after giving a mob-beat.

They were Oli, 32, Litu, 30, Mukul, 30, Shafik, 32, and Hashem, 40. Of them, critically injured Mukul and Litu were admitted to Gazipur sadar hospital.

Mobarak Hossain, in-charge of Pubile police out post under Joydebpur police station, said a group of robbers, numbering 8-10, entered into the factory Shakti Engineering Ltd by cutting the fence around 3am.

Soon after they entered into factory the robbers made factory people hostage. As the factory workers resisted the looting, the robbers beat them indiscriminately, and at least six of the workers were hurt. Having heard the hue and cry, factory manager Moni Gopal Basu along with local people rushed to the spot and made a resistance bid. But at one stage, robbers also chopped the locals, leaving at least four persons, including the manager, Gopal, injured.

Later, the mob managed to catch five robbers and beat them indiscriminately with sticks. Mostak Mamun, senior executive of the factory, filed a case with Joydebpur police station. l

Chhatra Dal president on remand

‘Smuggler’ shot dead

by BGB in Feni

al harassment.

“We need to establish social networks and alliances involving government and non-government organisations, community people, civil society and media to reach this goal,” said Nazma Khatun.

She also said sometimes prevention and protest against sexual harassment could not take place due to political influence and lack of security.

The meeting constituted a 15-member community watch-group that will work for eliminating sexual harassment against the schoolgirls at the places around the school.

Some other events like humanchain, signature collection and oathtaking were also held on the occasion to drum up support towards the campaign. l

10 injured in robbers’ attack in Gazipur n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

n Tribune Report

leaving two ‘smugglers’ critically injured.

The injured were taken to Feni Sadar Hospital where Mia died soon after admission.

Hearing the news of his death, local businessmen put up barricade on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway for one hour, protesting the incident.

They businessmen claimed that the two people were traders in the locality and not involved with any kind of illegal activities.

Captain of Feni 4 Border Guard Bangladesh Lieutenant Cornel Khaled Mahmud said: “BGB men chased them because the victims ignored security signal.

He also said the smugglers tried to kill the BGB members, so they were compelled to fire bullets for selfprotection. l

A Dhaka Court yesterday granted six days police remand against arrested Chhatra Dal central President Abdul Kader Jewel and Dhaka North Senior Vice-President Sharif Uddin Jwell in connection with two cases, where they are accused of attempting to kill law enforcers, provoking violence and torching and vandalising vehicles.

Motijhel police produced the duo before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court seeking twenty days remand in the two cases. Investigation officers of the cases mentioned in their remand prayers that police need to quiz the duo to find out the motive of the vandalism and other allegations. Defence Counsel Md Sanaullah Miah filed a bail petition with remand rejection prayer, saying that police had arrested them to harass and suppress the opposition’s legal movement.

Following the hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Md Asaduzzaman Noor granted six days remand against the duo. l

NEWS IN BRIEF College teacher hacked to death in Bogra

A college teacher was hacked to death by miscreants in Badurtala area of the district town on Monday night. Locals said a gang of miscreants swooped on Zia Uddin Babu, 45, professor of Bogra Sherpur Degree College, also joint convener of Sector Commanders’ Forum Bogra unit Babu blasting five crude bombs in No-1 rail gate area around 9:30pm and hacked him indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy. Gaziur Rahman, assistant superintendent of police (media) of Bogra, said blockaders might have committed the killing. –UNB

Youth commits suicide in Magura

A young man reportedly committed suicide at Kalanpur village under Sripur upazila in Magura yesterday. The deceased was

identified as Miraj Shekh, 35, son of Gofur Sheikh, a resident of the village. Local people said villagers had found the body of Miraj hanging with rope from a tree in the morning. They informed police about the matter and police recovered the body. The reason behind the suicide could not be known immediately. An unnatural death case was filed in this connection.

–Our Correspondent

24 crude bombs recovered in Munshiganj

Police recovered 24 crude bombs from Rajarchar village of Mollarkandi under Munshiganj sadar upazila yesterday.

Officer-in-Charge of Munshiganj sadar Thana Shahidul Islam said miscreants kept these bombs to conduct destructive activities. On information, police recovered these the bombs from a garden, behind the residence of one Akter Mondal. Police defused the bombs, the OC added. None was arrested in this connection. –BSS

Bogra fire gutted 26 shops n Our Correspondent, Bogra At least 26 shops were gutted and a firefighter was hurt when the fire swept through the market at Rajabazar in Bogra town on Monday night. The injured was Shahjahan Molla. Fire Service officials said the fire originated from a short circuit. Witnesses said the fire originated around 9pm and suddenly raged through the area.

Delwar Sohel Rana, senior station officer of Bogra Fire Service, said they doused the fire after three hours of frantic efforts. Md Anis Mia, president of Rajabazar Dokan Malik Samity, claimed that the damage caused by the fire could be more than 115m. l

Traders inspect their warehouse after a fire guts at least 26 shops at Rajabazar in Bogra town on Monday night DHAKA TRIBUNE

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

BIGSTOCK

Why we should take risks and make mistakes

I

n Ruhul Kader

n about 510 BC Persia was a great kingdom having control over half of the world from Asia Minor to Indus to Egypt. At that time a king named Darius was at the helm of the Persian Empire. At about same time, on the other part of the world, Greece was consisted of a number of city-states running independently.

Darius’ desire to conquer Greece resulted in beautiful descriptions of famous battles between the Greek and Darius and his ancestors, which can be found in the account of Greek historian Herodotus.

vade Greece. Xerxes prepared his army and fitted out a plan to move on. Once Xerxes decided to rally his army towards Greece his counselor Artabanus came in to intervene.

Artabanus was also Xerxes’ uncle.

He was a wise man. He proposed that there was danger for the Persian army in pursuing the conquest of Greece.

He tried to convince his nephew not to go into war against Greece. But Xerxes was a great man and himself a man of wisdom. He replied with a wonderful assertion that remains the source of inspiration till today: “There is reason in what you say, but you ought not to see danger everywhere or to reckon every risk.

We should ask how we can create an environment that inspires taking risk and making mistake with a built-in aspiration for learning and taking initiative in later life

BIGSTOCK

In late 490 BC Darius attacked Greece.

The battle was called the battle of Marathon. The fight was intense and difficult. Soldiers of both sides died in enormous numbers. At the end Darius lost the battle and came back to Persia with his tattered army. But the desire to bring Greece under the rule of Persia became a permanent aspiration for Persian emperors.

In about 410 BC another great king of Persia named Xerxes, the successor of Darius, once again decided to in-

If whatever comes up you are going to weigh everything alike, you will never do anything. It is better to be always an optimistic and suffer half the amount of evil, than always to be full of gloomy anticipations and never suffer anything at all. If you attack every proposal made without showing us the right course to follow, you will come to grief as much as those whom you oppose. The scales are evenly balanced. How can a human being know certainly which way they will incline?

He cannot. But success generally attends those who wish to act; and it does not attend those who are timid and balance everything. You see the great power which Persia has attained.

If my predecessors on the throne had held your views, or without holding them had had counsellors like you, you would never have seen our kingdom become so great. It is by taking risk they made us what we are. Great things are achieved through great dangers (Greek historian Herodotus as cited in Glimpses of world history by Jawaharlal Nehru).”

Xerxes took his great army to conquer Greece. Although he lost the battle, which is a different story, the most important lesson that jumped out from this conversation between an ancient king and his counsellor is that we must take risks and make mistakes for the sake of achieving great things in life.

Carol S Dweck is a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.

She was born on October 17, 1946. She graduated from Barnard College in 1967 and earned a PhD from Yale Uni-

versity in 1972. She taught at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of Illinois before joining the Stanford faculty in 2004.

Dweck wondered how some people become successful at everything they do, while others seem destined to a life of constant failure. She was obsessed with failure and determined to comprehend why.

In 1978 Dweck started a study (Mindset: The New Psychology of Success [2007]) in collaboration with Carol Diener. She gave kids various puzzles and recorded how they approached the problem, and what they said and did as they tried to solve them.

Dweck’s study shows that kids who solve tougher puzzle are the kids who often take risks and make mistakes and who not only endure failure but love failure.

Given with a really tough puzzle to solve, one success oriented kid just accepts the challenge and says I love challenge and goes ahead to solve it without bothering about what will happen if it goes wrong.

Although sometimes these kids make mistakes, these are the same kids who learn fast and also solve problems correctly over those who seldom take the risk to go wrong and fail.

Experiments suggest that taking risks and making mistakes are two important ingredients of character that can lead us to success and development.

However, these are not the very common scene we often see outside.

In schools, where we ought to teach our kids about values, work ethic, character and culture, the system is often rigid than not. It seems that the system has gone astray. Instead of focusing on building capable generations the system is more interested in fulfilling the quota of literacy rate.

In schools, as I am essentially a product of this system, we extremely discourage taking risks and making mistakes. Making mistakes is often seen as a punishable action in our system even after knowing that “to err is human;” that unless we make mistakes we learn very little; unless we don’t take risks and stand still at the face of great danger we seldom achieve great things.

The particular act of discouraging mistakes has a far-reaching impact in the later life of these kids, making them inefficiently and ineffectively comply with the system and society where situation demands otherwise.

To tackle critical problems we need creativity and courage. But the fear of making mistakes that haunts us from schools and onward keeps our genius under control. We feel afraid at the face of problems. Instead of taking responsibility we pass off the responsibility.

It’s apparent that we need to fix this

problem and get moving. As we can understand – to make mistake is to learn. We need to lay out a very wellthought plan to capitalise this very method of providing education and inspiring action.

We should ask how we can create an environment that inspires taking risk and making mistake with a builtin aspiration for learning and taking initiative in later life. To understand the process we can borrow from the experiment of Angela Lee Duckworth, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Duckworth claimed that “intelligence is really important, but it’s still not as important as self-control.” After finding this out Duckworth goes on to devise a plan to teach self-control among children in schools and educational institutions.

Few years back Duckworth and Walter Michal – the famous Stanford professor who introduced marshmallow experiment to test instant gratification and self control – went on to teach self-control in schools run

by KIPP, an organisation of 66 public charter schools across the USA. But the problem is that measuring math skill is a simple procedure but how do you measure the skill of self control, or ability to take risk.

Duckworth and Michal ran pilot studies to understand the way to deliver complex psychological messages to students. And after running a course of experiments, both are happy that it works.

lems on their own. In later life these people will never be afraid to take on a bigger risk and achieve greater good.

In life the best way to learn anything is by doing it. We need to keep the windows open so that we don’t miss life’s opportunities to live it to the fullest.

A saying goes: “Not taking risk is the greatest risks of all, and not taking risk worth taking is a total loss.”

Unfortunately, we seldom know which risk is worth taking and which is not.

We just need to work on it. As Xerxes said: “Success generally attends those who wish to act; and it does not attend those who are timid and balance everything.” l Ruhul Kader founded www.futurestartup. com to promote entrepreneurship and support entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

Future StartUp started the country’s first entrepreneurial talk community FS Talk. he is now working to build Good & Green (www. gng.com.bd), Bangladesh’s eco-ethical brand for the world, at New Vision Bangladesh Ltd. He can be reached at romel122@gmail.com.

‘Not taking risk is the greatest risks of all, and not taking risk worth taking is a total loss.’

Unfortunately, we seldom know which risk is worth taking and which is not

In our case teaching or letting students make mistakes and taking risk doesn’t associate much difficulties like the experiments of self-control. What we need is an open mind and system that inspire taking educated risks and making constructive mistakes in order to learn and discover and solve problems.

The orientation of the system should be more of a doing-and-learning genre; making mistakes and taking risks as an attempt to learn and achieve should not be degraded. While students make mistakes they should not be punished. Instead they should be graded in comparison to purpose.

The consequences of this approach will be brilliant. Students will take more initiative and try to solve prob-

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Two French soldiers killed in CAR combat n AP, Paris Two French soldiers were killed in combat in Central African Republic’s capital, President Francois Hollande’s office announced Tuesday, the first French casualties since he ordered a stepped-up military presence in the restive former colony to help quell inter-religious violence.

The presidential Elysee Palace, in a statement, provided no details about the killings in Bangui late Monday other than that they died during France’s mission to restore security, protect civilians, and ensure access for humanitarian groups in the impoverished country.

French officials have warned of the dangers of the enhanced military mission alongside African Union troops, authorized under a muscular mandate approved last week by the United Nations Security Council. France’s defense minister has warned militia groups to disarm peacefully — or French troops will do it by force.

The announcement of the deaths came shortly after the presidential palace said Hollande would travel to Central African Republic on Tuesday after attending a memorial in South Africa to Nelson Mandela.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves

Somalia jails rape victim, journalists n Agencies

Le Drian said French forces were conducting patrols by foot and vehicle through the dusty streets of Bangui.

At one point, they intervened to pull away a Muslim man, who claimed to be a merchant, from a mob that accused him of being a rebel leader.

Muslim rebels known as Seleka overthrew the government of this majority Christian nation nine months ago.

Bouts of violence in Central African Republic took an especially bloody turn last week with more than 400 deaths in two days of violence between Christians and Muslims. World leaders including US President Barack Obama have called for calm.

French President to visit CAR

French President Francois Hollande will visit the Central African Republic on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by his office, after boosting French troops in order restore stability in the country.

Hollande will visit the country on his way back from South Africa, where he was due to attend a ceremony to honor Nelson Mandela.

Paris raised its military presence in the Central African Republic to 1,600 troops during the weekend as waves of religious violence swept over its former colony. l

French troops patrol past two Seleka, the alliance of mostly Muslim rebel groups, vehicles set on fire by Christian mobs in Bangui

AP

US to transport African troops to CAR n AP, Doha Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the US military to transport troops from Burundi into the Central African Republic to help quell the latest upsurge in violence there.

Hagel approved the order after speaking with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian Monday night from Afghanistan where he was vis-

iting troops. Le Drian asked the US to help get African troops quickly into the country to prevent the violence there from spreading, said Pentagon spokesman Carl Woog.

There are more than 1,000 French troops in the Central African Republic, where more than 400 people were killed in two days of violence last week between Christians and Muslims.

Christian armed fighters oppose the

Muslim ex-rebels now in charge of the former French colony.

Woog said Hagel directed the US Africa Command to begin transporting forces in coordination with France because the US believes immediate action is needed to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. And he said the Pentagon will be evaluating what other US resources might be available if additional requests for assistance come in. l

A Somali court has sentenced to jail a woman who said she was raped and two journalists who reported her story.

The court passed the verdict on Monday in the capital Mogadishu, saying the journalists were guilty of defamation and insulting state institutions.

The 19-year old woman, who is also a journalist, was handed a suspended six-month jail sentence for defamation and lying, during which time she will be confined to her home, said Judge Hashi Elmi Nur. The journalists are to serve out their sentences, of one year and six months respectively, or pay a fine in order to win early release. It is the second time this year Somalia has jailed a woman for speaking out about rape and journalists for interviewing her.

“The manager of Radio Shabelle, Abdilmalik Yusuf, was found guilty of offending state institutions, and therefore will serve a prison term of one year,” the judge told the court.

“Journalist Mohamed Bashir was found guilty of defamation and making false rape accusations, so he is given a six-month jail term.”

The alleged victim last month told the independent Radio Shabelle she was attacked and raped at gunpoint by two fellow journalists. But it was the journalists who listened to her story who were jailed. Last month the United Nations in Somalia called for a “proper investigation” into the case, while the United States said it was “deeply concerned”.

Neither of the men accused of the rape were arrested. l

Six facts about Mandela that make him an unlikely icon in the West labeling of Osama bin Laden as the terrorist responsible for those acts before he had been tried and convicted could also be seen as undermining some of the basic tenets of the rule of law.”

Mandela called out racism in America On a trip to New York City in 1990, Mandela made a point of visiting Harlem and praising African Americans’ struggles against “the injustices of racist discrimination and economic equality.” He reminded a larger crowd at Yankee Stadium that racism was not exclusively a South African phenomenon. “

Mandela embraced some of America’s biggest political enemies

Mandela was a political activist and agitator.

He did not shy away from controversy and he did not seek universal approval. As the world remembers Mandela, here are some of the things he believed that many will gloss over.

Mandela blasted the Iraq War and American imperialism Mandela called Bush “a president who has no foresight, who cannot think properly,” and accused him of “wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust” by going to war in Iraq. “All that (Mr. Bush) wants is Iraqi oil,” he said. He saw the Iraq War as a greater problem of American imperialism around the world. “If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America.

They don’t care,” he said.

a “fundamental human right” Mandela considered poverty one of the greatest evils in the world, and spoke out against inequality everywhere. “Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times — times in which the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation — that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils,” he said.

Mandela criticised the “War on Terror” and the labeling of individuals as terrorists without due process

Mandela incited shock and anger in many American communities for refusing to denounce Cuban dictator Fidel Castro or Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who had lent their support to Mandela against South African apartheid. “One of the mistakes the Western world makes is to think that their enemies should be our enemies,” he explained to an American TV audience.

“We have our own struggle.” He added that those leaders “are placing resources at our disposal to win the struggle.” He also called the controversial Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat “a comrade in arms.”

Mandela was a die-hard supporter of labor unions

On the US terrorist watch list until 2008 himself, Mandela was an outspoken critic of President George W. Bush’s war on terror. He warned against rushing to label terrorists without due process. While forcefully calling for Osama bin Laden to be brought to justice, Mandela remarked, “The

Mandela visited the Detroit auto workers union when touring the US, immediately claiming kinship with them. “Sisters and brothers, friends and comrades, the man who is speaking is not a stranger here,” he said. “The man who is speaking is a member of the UAW. I am your flesh and blood. l

Canada to claim North Pole!

Jordanian cleric deported from UK n Agencies

Mandela called freedom from poverty

n AFP Canada signalled intentions to claim the North Pole and surrounding Arctic waters while announcing the filing of a UN application seeking to vastly expand its Atlantic sea boundary.

After a decade of surveying the country’s eastern and far north seabeds and gathering supporting evidence, a claim was submitted to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the filing mainly concerns the outer limits of Canada’s continental shelf in the Atlantic Ocean.

But it also includes “preliminary information concerning the outer limits of (Canada’s) continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean,” he said.

“We have asked our officials and scientists to do additional work and necessary work to ensure that a submission for the full extent of the continental shelf in the Arctic includes Canada’s claim to the North Pole,” he told a press conference.

“Fundamentally, we are drawing the last lines of Canada. We are defending our sovereignty,” added Arctic Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

Asserting sovereignty over an expansive Arctic archipelago and surrounding waters has been a key plank of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Tories in the past three elections since 2006.

But Russia and Denmark are expected to file overlapping claims, which could lead to confrontation between the Arctic neighbors.

Interest in the polar region has flared up as rising temperatures open up shipping routes and make hitherto inaccessible mineral resources easier to exploit.

The North Pole seabed itself is not believed to hold large reserves but has symbolic value for the countries in the region, which also includes Norway and the United States.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said enlarging Canada’s Arctic boundary is important for “Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.” l

Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, deported by Britain in July after a near decade-long legal battle, pleaded not guilty as his trial in Jordan on terrorism charges opened.

“You know full well I am not guilty and that this accusation is false,” Abu Qatada, in prison overalls, told the judge of the state security court in Amman on Tuesday.

The judge adjourned the case until December 24 after a brief hearing which was open to the media but with cameras banned.

After his deportation, Jordanian military prosecutors charged Abu Qatada with conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts. If convicted he could face a minimum of 15 years’ hard labour.

Britain’s expulsion of Abu Qatada came after Amman and London ratified a treaty guaranteeing that evidence obtained by torture would not be used in his retrial and that the proceedings would be transparent. l

South Africans brave the rain as they listen to US President Barack Obama speak during a memorial service for Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg REUTERS

Boos, jeers humiliate South Africa’s Zuma at Mandela memorial n Reuters South African President Jacob Zuma was booed and jeered at a memorial to anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela on Tuesday, a major public humiliation in front of other world leaders six months before national elections.

The hostile reaction from the thousands-strong unruly crowd erupted as Zuma prepared to address the high-profile ceremony in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium bringing together leaders from around 90 countries.

Zuma, who has ruled Africa’s biggest economy since 2009, had been hoping to get a boost from the wave of national emotion triggered by Mandela’s death on Thursday, aged 95.

His African National Congress (ANC) government has been facing violent labour unrest and protests over persisting poverty, crime and unemployment. But the ANC is still expected to comfortably win the elections to be held in April or May. Zuma was booed when he first entered the crowded stadium, and again when he prepared to speak. In contrast, US President Barack Obama received

a roaring ovation, and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and UN chief Ban Kimoon were also cheered.

Some in the crowd accompanied the boos for Zuma with thumbs-down gestures and rotating hand movements, the sign for a substitution in a soccer match.

“Mandela had a vision, Mandela lived that vision. But what Zuma speaks, he doesn’t live,” said Funeka Gingcara-Sithole, 31, reflecting the mood of the Zuma critics in the stadium.

“He should do the honourable thing and resign,” she said. l

Israeli leaders to miss Mandela funeral

US calls for release of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo

n Reuters

Five years after his detention, the United States is calling for the release of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and an end to his wife’s undeclared house arrest.

Washington remains deeply concerned about the couple’s treatment, along with that of other jailed government critics, Secretary of State John Kerry said.

“We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end (wife) Liu Xia’s house arrest, and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognized human rights protections and freedoms,” Kerry said in a statement issued Monday in Washington.

“As the United States builds a constructive relationship with China, U.S. leaders will continue to raise concerns related to respect for the rule of law, human rights, religious freedom, and democratic principles with their Chinese counterparts,” Kerry said. l

Israel’s top leaders will be conspicuous by their absence at Nelson Mandela’s funeral, skipping a ceremony for the anti-apartheid hero world leaders are mourning and whom Palestinians have always viewed as their comrade in the struggle for freedom.

Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor President Shimon Peres will attend the event in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on Tuesday, officials said on Monday, citing costs and health reasons.

Peres, 90, had been advised by his doctors not to make the trip, according to aides.

“The president is recovering from flu and doctors advised him not to fly,” a spokesman for Peres said.

Israel was an ally of South Africa’s former apartheid rulers whose racial segregation Mandela fought and resist-

ed, getting jailed for 27 years on Robben Island after being convicted of treason for his campaign.

Palestinians, who hail South Africa’s first black leader as an inspiration in a conflict with what they call Israeli “apartheid”, will be represented by President Mahmoud Abbas - one of about 70 world leaders South Africa expects to pay their respects.

Speaker or minister Netanyahu hailed Mandela as “a freedom fighter who rejected violence”, although the African National Congress’s struggle against apartheid initially proved violent, leading Mandela to being labelled a “terrorist” by the US, Israel’s major Middle East ally.

Mandela was only removed from the US terror list in 2008.

A foreign ministry official said the speaker of parliament or a cabinet minister could represent Israel at the funeral. l

n AP, Beijing

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Tearful Thai PM urges protesters to take part in election n Reuters, Bangkok Her eyes welling with tears, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra pleaded on Tuesday for anti-government protesters to clear the streets after she called a snap election, but protests leaders said she should step down within 24 hours.

After weeks of sometimes violent street rallies, protesters dismissed her call on Monday for a general election and said she should be replaced by an unelected “people’s council”, which has stoked concern that Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy may abandon the democratic process.

Yingluck insisted on Tuesday she would not step down and said she would continue her duties as caretaker prime minister until the election, which is set for Feb. 2.

“Now that the government has dissolved parliament, I ask that you stop protesting and that all sides work towards elections,” Yingluck told reporters as she went into a cabinet meeting held at an army club. “I have backed down to the point where I don’t know how to back down any further.”

Tears briefly formed in her eyes as she spoke, before she quickly composed herself - perhaps a glimpse of the emotional toll of weeks of protests.

The protesters, a motley collection aligned with Bangkok’s royalist elite, want to oust Yingluck and eradicate the influence of her brother, former

premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the military in 2006 and has chosen to live in exile rather than serve a jail term for abuse of power.

Thaksin was convicted in absentia of graft in 2008 but he dismissed the charges as politically motivated. He is widely seen as the power behind Yingluck’s government, sometimes holding meetings with the cabinet by webcam.

Yingluck, a 46-year-old former businesswoman, had no political experience before entering a 2011 election she won by a landslide thanks to votes from the countryside, where Thaksin built up a devoted following with policies to help the poor.

In a speech to supporters late on Monday, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban gave Yingluck 24 hours to step down.

“We want the government to step aside and create a power vacuum in order to create a people’s council,” said Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the protest group. Suthep has said this council would be made up of appointed “good people”.

By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, only 6,000 protesters were in the historic part of Bangkok around Government House where Yingluck’s office is located, police said, a far cry from the 160,000 that converged peacefully on the complex on Monday.

Tuesday was a public holiday in Thailand and Yingluck attended a ceremony to mark Constitution Day in parliament but only about 1,500 protesters turned up there, police said.

Yingluck’s Puea Thai Party enjoys widespread support in the populous north and northeast, Thailand’s poorest regions. The party said she would again be its candidate for prime minister.

In contrast, the protesters are drawn from Bangkok’s royalist upper and middle classes, including civil servants and prominent business families, along with people from the south where the opposition Democrat Party has long held sway.

“What we’re seeing is a true power tussle with both sides, the government and the protesters, trying to pull the country’s two most powerful institutions - the monarchy and the military - on their side,” said political analyst Kan Yuenyong at the Siam Intelligence Unit.

“The best scenario would be if the protesters and the opposition accept the election and take part, but anything could happen between now and then including intervention from independent organisations, the judiciary or the military.”

The politically powerful army, which has staged or attempted 18 coups in the past 80 years, has said it does not want to get involved, although it has tried to mediate. l

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Disarray in India’s ruling party after poll drubbing n Reuters, New Delhi Disarray within India’s ruling Congress party burst into the open on Tuesday after its stunning defeat in state elections, with a senior figure saying the party would lose a general election and needed time in opposition to reinvent itself.

Mani Shankar Aiyar - a veteran of the party who is close to the Nehru-Gandhi family that has run the Congress for decades - predicted defeat in the national election due by next May. “Who can be even half-way realistic and expect the Congress to return to power?” Aiyar told Reuters.

In a further signal of uneasiness about Congress’ chances in the general election, the leader of a key party in the coalition government said on Monday the state polls amounted to a rejection of “weak rulers”.

“People do not want weak rulers,” National Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar said, according to domestic media reports. “They want decisive and result-oriented leaders who will formulate policies for (the) poor and implement them.”

Manmohan Singh, the taciturn 81-year-old prime minister, has been widely criticised for the government’s policy drift and a sharp economic slowdown, and for allowing corruption to spin out of control since he was appointed to a second term in 2009.

Adding to the Congress party’s troubles, half a dozen of its own lawmakers called for a parliamentary motion of

no-confidence over a decision to split the southern state of Andhra Pradesh into two.

If at least 50 members of the lower house back their demand, the stage would be set for a trial of strength in which Congress would need the support of several parties to survive.

Aiyar’s remarks follow a disastrous showing for the Congress party in elections held over the last month in three big states and the capital, Delhi.

“A break from governance would be a welcome break that could be used to refit the party as the nation’s natural party of governance in the 21st century,” the upper house lawmaker wrote in a column for the Indian Express newspaper.

“The current and prospective electoral reverses for the Congress are thus Rahul’s golden opportunity,” he said, referring to the young scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and potential candidate for prime minister.

Aiyar’s opinion was personal and not the party’s view, said Congress spokesman Bhakta Charan Das, but agreed there was a need to analyse what went wrong.

“The party will definitely introspect and we must come out with a very good approach to revitalise ourselves.”

The centre-left Congress party’s main opponent, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the clear winner in three states that held assembly elections and left its rival standing in the capital. l

Pakistan to go ahead with Iran gas pipeline

Activists seek justice in Indian Kashmir

n AP, Islamabad

Activists, families staged sit-in protests in Indian-held Kashmir on Tuesday to demand justice for torture and rape victims as well as answers about how 8,000 people allegedly disappeared in the conflict-ridden Himalayan territory.

For years, rights groups have accused Indian forces of using systematic abuse and unjustified arrests to intimidate Kashmir residents, many of whom oppose India’s rule over the territory disputed with Pakistan.

The regional government says the allegations are mostly separatist propaganda meant to demonize troops. It has acknowledged that 2,305 people have gone missing in the past 20 years, but says most had crossed into neighbouring Pakistan for weapons training. In a Srinagar park, more than 100 people sat for hours Tuesday with placards reading “Justice denied” and “Supreme Court: Does 8,000 disappearances concern you?”

Another four dozen or so people gathered in another Srinagar park with photos of family members who they say have vanished at the hands of Indian troops since 1989. l

Pakistan will push forward with a controversial pipeline to import natural gas from neighbouring Iran, Pakistan said Tuesday, a project opposed by the United States.

The pipeline will link Iran’s gas fields with energy-starved Pakistan, but by going ahead with the project, Pakistan may incur US and international sanctions imposed on Iran — or anyone doing business with Iran — over that country’s nuclear program.

The US has opposed the project and instead supported an alternative proposal to build a pipeline from the gas fields of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Tuesday that petroleum ministers of the two countries met in Tehran on Monday to discuss the project, which has been beset by repeated delays.

The two countries decided to fast track the pipeline and formulate a road map to work out challenges, the minis-

Rare Singapore riot forces soul searching over foreign workers

n Reuters, Singapore

Singapore’s first major riot in four decades is forcing the wealthy island to confront a stubborn but vexing question: how to treat low-paid foreign workers whose muscle underpins much of the economy but whose presence increasingly riles its citizens.

Images of rioters overturning police cars, throwing garbage bins and burning an ambulance in Singapore’s Little India on Sunday night shocked the orderly Southeast Asian nation and stirred debate over whether foreign workers should be better integrated or see their numbers reduced.

“This is just a tip of the iceberg,” said Gayathiri, 30, an engineer who lives near the scene of the riots and goes by one name. “I hope the government will take it as a wake-up call. We need foreigners to boost our economy, but not at the expense of our security,” she added, echoing a widely held sentiment.

Police charged 24 Indian nationals with rioting, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ prison and caning. They were among an estimated 400 people who rampaged after a private bus fatally struck construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, 33. The number of arrests could rise.

The government has urged people not to jump to conclusions but many Singaporeans blame an overabundance of migrant workers and could use the riots to intensify a push for tighter immigration curbs - a step that could hurt the economy. l

try said. However, no details were given on how Pakistan plans to overcome the numerous problems associated with the project, such as funding and the risk of sanctions.

The ministry said experts from both sides would meet soon to accelerate work on the pipeline.

Pakistani officials in the Tehran meeting also reiterated their government’s commitment to fulfill its contractual obligation to the pipeline and stressed that the project is of “immense importance” to meeting Pakistan’s energy needs.

Islamabad hopes the pipeline will help alleviate the country’s energy crisis, especially electricity shortages. Gas is used to fire many of the nation’s power plants, but insufficient quantities mean rolling blackouts are common.

The agreement with Iran stipulates that Pakistan must construct its side of the pipeline by December 2014 but the project has met repeated delays. If Pakistan fails to meet this deadline, it will be liable to pay fines that could run into the millions of dollars per day. l

n AP, Srinagar

A relative of a disappeared youth sits near a banner showing sketches of disappeared people during a protest in Srinagar

China concerned about N Korea politics n

AP, Beijing

China, North Korea’s most important ally, said Tuesday it wants friendly relations and hopes for stability in its neighbour following the purging of a top official considered close to Beijing.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Jang Song Thaek’s ouster was an internal affair, but his comments point to Beijing’s concerns that the North’s opaque politics may have entered a more unpredictable stage.

“We hope North Korea can maintain national stability, the people’s well-being and economic growth. China will remain committed to developing the friendly relationship between China and North Korea,” Hong said at a

regularly scheduled briefing.

Jang’s dismissal deprives Beijing of its most important connection to the North Korean leadership, further diminishing China’s thin influence with its isolated, hard-line Communist neighbour.

In 2012, Jang led a large delegation to China to discuss construction of special economic zones.

China is North Korea’s only significant ally and a key source of trade and aid. Despite such apparent influence, Beijing has been unsuccessful in coaxing North Korea back to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks, while its need for stability along its northeastern border keeps it from getting overly tough on its neighbour. l

A man reads a newspaper reporting North Korea confirmed downfall of Jang Song Thaek, uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un AP

AP

A case of exploding urbanisation! n AP, United Nations The number of city dwellers is at an all-time high of about 3.5 billion and will nearly double in the next 30 to 40 years, with almost all the growth in developing countries, the head of the UN agency focusing on cities said Monday.

Joan Clos said even though the rate of population growth is decreasing, The UN projects that in the next 30 years the global population will increase from 7 billion to 9 billion — and the urban population will grow between 2.5 billion and 3 billion people.

“In all human history we have reached 3.5 billion of urban settlers and in the next 30 years we are going to have 3 billion more,” Clos said. “Imagine the changing rate — what we have done in all human history, we nearly will do in the next 30 to 40 years of history.”

With 96 percent of the growth of cities expected in poorer developing countries, he said, there are going to be huge demands on land, resources and services for urban residents.

Clos, a former mayor of Barcelona who is now executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program known as UN-Habitat, spoke at a news conference promoting the agency’s upcoming World Urban Forum from April 5-11 in Medellin, Colombia, which will focus on growing inequalities in urbanisation worldwide.

He said 10,000 participants are expected including ministers, mayors, academics and representatives from business, non-governmental organisations and local authorities.

Currently, Clos said, the world is experiencing “the highest rate of urbanisation in human history,” and national and local

governments don’t have the capacity to address key issues including organisation, governance, finance and the provision of services.

In recent decades, he said, inequalities in urban areas have led to protests and unrest as cities have faced difficulties integrating a big influx of migrants.

“This is why we are very worried, because the number of people living in slums is increasing,” Clos said.

UN-Habitat said it estimates that between 2000 and 2010 a total of 227 million people in the developing world experienced improvements in their living conditions, with China and India alone accounting for 166 million, or 55.5 percent of the global effort. This met a UN anti-pov-

erty goal before the 2015 target date, Clos said.

At the same time, however, UN-Habitat said the world’s slum population rose from 650 million in 1990 to 767 million in 2000, and to 828 million in 2010 and an estimated 863 million in 2012.

Clos said the cities of the world will have to handle millions of new arrivals “because they cannot hide — they cannot go away.”

The challenge is whether the growth of cities can be done “in a planned and designed manner, in order to provide some basic services at affordable costs for the citizen,” he said.

Otherwise, they will grow spontaneously without any planning and the number of slum dwellers will keep rising, Clos said. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Why we need war crimes trials

Either Hasina-Ershad or Khaleda is responsible December 7

G

olam Mostafa Hawlader, a witness whose evidence to the International Crimes Tribunal helped to convict Jamaat leader, Delawar Hossain Sayedee, has died after being attacked inside his home.

His attackers reportedly made clear that he was targeted because of his role as a witness.

It is deplorable that Mr Hawlader was not provided with better police protection. Threats have been repeatedly made against all prosecution witnesses and other witnesses and their families have had to flee from physical attacks. The risk to their safety was well known due to the high profile of debates around the ICT. The government must implement better protection of all witnesses to prevent this type of All political parties incident. As we have opined beshould make clear that fore, enacting the draft Witness no tribunal witness Protection Act prepared in 2011 should be threatened would send an important signal or attacked to law enforcers to be more pro-active in ensuring protection for witnesses.

We must also reflect on the long chain of impunity which helped create the context in which this brutal murder could take place.

Whatever criticisms may be made about the ICT process, the fact remains it was set up with widespread electoral support to end the impunity which allowed war criminals to get away with heinous crimes.

The judicial process set up to try crimes from 1971 needs to be respected and remain above politics. The atmosphere of violent rhetoric and threats to witnesses by Jamaat leaders has undoubtedly created a climate of fear for actual and potential witnesses.

All political parties, whatever their views on the ICT, should make clear that no tribunal witness should be threatened or attacked. Rule of law must be respected and better protection afforded to all witnesses.

Lend a helping hand to the RMG sector

T

he statement by Mosharraf Hussain, managing director of the Standard Group, that he plans to rebuild its gutted factory at Gazipur so that the company, which is a respected supplier to leading RMG retailers such as Gap and Zara, can rise from the ashes, is an inspiring one.

For the company’s thousands of workers, reports that the company has swiftly been able to secure $50m funding towards its rehabilitation via a five-year-loan rescheduling, comes as good news.

The Bangladesh Bank has rightly acted quickly to help the company.

We recognise that other RMG factory owners also have pressing financing needs. There is a strong case for similar The Bangladesh policy measures to alleviate the Bank has rightly pressure on factory owners and acted quickly to help workers, caused by the ongoing the company. Other political turmoil.

RMG factory owners Presently around 40% of also have pressing garment production is hampered financing needs due to shortage of raw materials.

Blockades and hartals have also hugely diminished the ability to ship finished goods outside of the country. BGMEA has appealed to the Bangladesh Bank for interest waivers on existing loans until the end of the current political turmoil. Many individual factory owners have been also trying to reschedule their loan payments.

While it is ultimately up to individual commercial banks to grant any such arrangements, the urgency of the circumstances suggests the central bank should undertake special measures on a wider scale. The Bangladesh Bank should consider further similar special initiatives to help the garment sector weather the current storm.

CROSSWORD

While people are anxious about their daily lives, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia are exchanging taunts about BNP’s engagement in street agitation.

Actually, Hasina doubts her party members could do well in the next parliamentary election against the BNP candidates, due to some veteran AL leaders failing in the five city corporation polls held recently.

Also, people have not forgotten Ershad’s role as an autocrat, and the loss of lives and limbs then, and, now, his betrayal for declaring he would attend the one-sided election, despite the agitation claiming more limbs and lives. We, the people, can only keep praying to Allah to save us.

Sheuly Haque Sirajgonj

Complicitious Zen Crocodile tears are not enough December 4 nds Absolutely correct. Her statement is nothing but an embodiment of absolute hypocrisy which is evidenced by 9 deaths caused by her party workers just on the day following the date of statement. As a matter of fact hypocrisy, falsehood, pretensions, and chicanery have become the major tools to run the politics and state machinery being freely used by the leaders belonging to whatever party it may be.

WaliulHaqueKhondker Madame, may I have the honour to request you to please visit the Burn Unit of DMCH and see for yourself, what “blockade” means to an average citizen?

Be Heard Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

DOWN

1 Table-shaped hill (4) 6 Flightless bird (3) 7 Bill of fare (4) 9 Cheerless (4) 10 Person under age (5) 11 Grinding tooth (5) 12 Mineral spring (3) 14 Postpone (5) 17 Looks after (5) 20 Employ (3) 21 Family members (5) 23 Army chaplain (5) 25 Egyptian goddess (4) 26 Drug-yielding plant (4) 27 Land measure (3) 28 Paradise (4)

1 Unassuming (6) 2 Sailor (6) 3 Early Christian pulpit (4) 4 Marsh (3) 5 Worthless dog (3) 7 Deep mud (4) 8 Musical sounds (5) 10 Insane (3) 13 Relating to punishment (5) 15 Bothered (6) 16 Sanity (6) 18 Venture (4) 19 Prosecute (3) 22 Weary (4) 23 Kitchen utensil (3) 24 Morse element (3)

Existing law & order status better, Amu claims December 5

He is right. The situation now is better than in 2006, when AL staged non-stop blockades against the caretaker government of Iajuddin Ahmed. ruwa

Khoka arrested

December 5 They are foolish if they want to hold credible polls by arresting opposition leaders. rutland

December 4

Saadman Salahuddin The nation has gone morally corrupt!

Rose-Ruzana Samdani Cooking up stories like this is no less a crime than setting fire on people inside running buses. These people are making fun of actual arson victims!

Meherun Faruque Hmm. The BD police are so smart that they can find this story so quickly. Then why on earth can’t they find the picketers?

Zyma Islam We live in a country where people must lie to get emergency treatment when they’re dying. To everyone who thinks of booing down the girl, try being six months pregnant and close to death without having a tuppence in your pocket. She was barely hanging on to consciousness.

Get pissed at the government for not being able to manage mandatory health insurance for everyone. Remember Obamacare anyone?

Nadir Nibras Zyma Islam: I get your point at first, but you have to be joking if you are thinking about jumping to nationalised health insurance for 150 million people in a country where even a big portion of the rich don’t have health insurance. LOL. Muntasir N Chowdhury Zyma Islam: I would love to hear your side of things!

Nadir Nibras You can’t blame them too much. Garments workers make far below the living wage in Bangladesh and they were just trying to save their child.

Rahul Malik Zyma: I do agree with you. The government has got the bigger pot of responsibility here. But it’s still not as black and white as it seems. If the sense of fairness is in question, it has definitely been pinched.

GreyGoddess Farzan Mitu They lied because they are deprived of the right to get better treatment; they lied because they couldn’t afford better treatment on their own. I don’t blame them. It’s the system, and poverty.

Abdullah Saquib Now, even the so-called victims are culpable!

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS

December 4 In today’s conflicting Bangladesh there is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent civilians. The conflict is a reality not because there is a mass movement, but a result of the government and the opposition’s failure to have a talk about the upcoming election.

The current political situation is inflicting abuse on the weak, and hurting the innocent.

The perpetrators are carrying on violence which is not tempered by righteous ideals. They are also not fighting in self defence, nor standing up for what’s right.

The culprits have no understanding of strength, not negotiation, reason, or goodwill.

The victims of political violence include individuals who are innocent. Why do they have to pay the ultimate price because two leaders failed to come to any compromise? What kind of message are they sending to the future generation?

Z

A made-up arson story that almost worked

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Third act in a problem play

Victims of fire n MAB Siddique

T

hose who were burnt to death, we shall never get back. We can never overcome this melancholy, this grief that has engulfed us. We couldn’t overcome it in the case of so many others who had been killed in political calamities before.

We shed tears, we mourn for them. We bear enormous grief, we pay our tributes. They are simply taken away. Sometimes we call them martyrs, sometimes we just ignore them. We try to lead the same lives we had been living. But they are forgotten after some time, martyrs or not. This always happens, as if history throws them into oblivion, inevitably.

We were burnt under colonial invasions, and we were burnt after independence. Bangladesh has not been able to find a way out of this cycle

Comedy or tragedy?

I

n Shawkat Hussain f we were to see the last five years of AL rule as a five-act play, then we could say that we are now in the third act. The plot is beginning to unravel and we are heading fast towards a denouement.

Are we shooting headlong down the Niagara towards a resounding crash, or can we manage to keep our heads up somehow and survive? Nobody knows for sure, but everybody has an opinion.

The play – that is, our politics – is problematic in the first place because of difficulties in characterising it. Let’s call it a “problem play” first (as many of Shakespeare’s plays are called), because we are not quite sure whether it is a pure tragedy or a comedy, or absurd drama, or a melodrama, or something else.

Then again, it is a “problem play” in the sense that there is a real problem every five years about how exactly the elections should be conducted. We faced this problem in 1996 when BNP first held elections without AL and that had to be cancelled for a second round in July the same year; there were problems again in 2001 for reasons which I have forgotten but are discussed endlessly in talk shows.

And finally, there was the grave situation in 2006 when the late Professor Iajuddin doubled up both as head of the caretaker government and president of the republic. That

RAJIB DHAR

was unacceptable to all except BNP people, and acceptable to Dr Yunus (this I cannot forget) who came back from a foreign trip and gave an A+ to Professor Iajuddin’s government.

Like Mr Micawber in “Pickwick Papers” I can only say “something will turn up.” Only application of the Micawber Principle makes it possible to go on from day to day.

leaders in his hotel, and other very important people. The god-from-themachine is a very busy-body indeed but it is not yet clear if he will succeed to move mountains.

There are two-bit players as well who have suddenly, unexpectedly, emerged from the wings and taken centre-stage. Like a character in a cartoon I saw recently, I usually

Ershad is now the comic relief in this ‘problem play’ which is our life, and also amazingly, a factor that simply can’t be written off from electoral equations

The prime minister refuses to budge from her position and so does the leader of the opposition. In a “problem” situation such as this, only some sort of divine intervention can take the play towards a resolution.

Perhaps not one god but many gods may be necessary to start the process of disentangling the knot that we are tied up in.

Even as I write, the deus ex machina (god-from-the-machine, for the non-literary) has descended on us.

He is the UN Assistant Under-Secretary Oscar Fernandez-Taranco who has been shuttling between visits to the prime minister and visits to the leader of the opposition, meeting Jamaat

watch talk shows on mute, except when the un-redoubtable old dictator Ershad pops up on TV. Then I turn the mute off.

Ershad’s antics and his utterances (“I’m all-in-all of JP”), beginning with a half-dozen of his men and women joining the interim government and now the on-going drama with their resignations, are hilariously farcical.

When Ershad appears in hastilycalled press-conferences with his furrowed brows and pain-etched wrinkled face (but always nattily dressed), when he pleads to young journalists that they shouldn’t satirise him, when he promises to do one thing one morning and changes his mind at

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

night, I sit riveted and cannot turn the mute on.

Just over two decades back when he was still in power, I couldn’t stand to watch him whenever he appeared on TV. Ershad is now the comic relief in this “problem play” which is our life, and also amazingly, a factor that simply can’t be written off from electoral equations.

Reasonable people like Dr Kamal Hossain, or Sultana Kamal, or Dr Shahdin Malik say reasonable things and ask reasonable questions about what should or should not be done.

When they met the president some days back, they presumably conveyed some of their reasonable concerns to the president with the reasonable expectations of a solution. Nothing happened. The god-from-the-machine is also having reasonable discussions with different people and something eventually will turn up.

I find it difficult to ask reasonable questions. The question that came to my mind is this: How many bullets does one need to kill oneself? What would have happened if Ershad had actually pulled the trigger of one of his four pistols (or is it one pistol with four bullets?) after he threatened to commit suicide when RAB had surrounded his house? Now we will never know because the DMP is considering taking his toys away. l Shawkat Hussain, former Professor and Chair of English, University of Dhaka, now teaches at State University of Bangladesh.

Now, after scores of people have succumbed to their burn injuries in the latest violence, we are also getting burned. It is not the same kind of burn. We know that we have been burnt like this throughout our entire history. We find ourselves still alive while political turmoil claims many lives.

We were burnt under colonial invasions, and we were burnt after independence. Bangladesh has not been able to find a way out of this cycle to facilitate a peaceful transition of power. Mistrust was brewed. There was corruption and criminalisation of society and the economy, and the chance for more deaths.

Many of these deaths would be unnatural deaths. Many of the deceased would be victims of fire and vengeance between the political parties. We have failed to learn to preserve democracy for ourselves.

Greed, lust, or hunger has come in the way.

Common people, who are now getting burnt and killed, were supposed to be the jury. Political parties were supposed to try and gain support of the common people.

To the deceased, the yearning for democracy has no meaning.

They were attacked by fire, they were caught by surprise. When petrol or bombs were thrown at them, they were probably going home, or to work. Falling victim to political hooliganism and atrocities, we have nothing to confess, other than that we failed to put a stop to many things.

We let this happen to them. We never became conscious of how to create a culture where the language of politics would be democracy.

We never prepared to tackle this

turmoil.

We didn’t have any faith in the democratic process. We haven’t learnt from better democracies of the world, at least when it comes to saving lives, even though we have been through the same horror so many times.

We failed to distinguish between responsibility and terrorism. We failed to establish a just system.

We failed to resist the forces that tear down our achievements, just as we miserably failed to realise the potential of our fellow human beings.

We failed to measure losses by anything other than the death toll.

We have to acknowledge our own guilt, otherwise we will continue to disgrace our existence. Things must be set right, and someone must be held accountable at the end of the day.

We know this is the outcome of so many failures. It was a failure of transforming the state into one which could deal with things objectively. We need a state which could ensure the right penalty for crimes, especially for those who killed us.

We need incentives for the people to do good. We haven’t learnt to preserve anything that could be used for the betterment of society.

We never reached a consensus about standing together to fight the forces of evil against us. We haven’t figured out a common path for ourselves.

We never stopped being naïve.

We destroyed anything good we produced or imported or learnt. But the time has come to join hands on issues we could settle if we were just a bit more generous than we are.

The time has come to look forward.

The time has come to leave this narrow outlook behind.

Sometimes we call them martyrs, sometimes we just ignore them. We try to lead the same lives we had been living. But they are forgotten after some time

The time has come to stand together to fight terrorism, to stand for democracy, and to make efforts towards a better version of democracy. We can’t just let this death toll add up every day.

As the state has something to do with it, with all its existing capability, so do its people. We can resist the harmful political culture that leaves no room for democracy.

We must leave no room for violence, terrorism, and muscle power. The time has come to revitalise our thoughts, to distinguish between non-democratic elements and democratic ones, and to decide which of them can take the system further so that we may save some lives. l MAB Siddique is a Staff Reporter at the Dhaka Tribune.

A letter to Bangladeshis abroad n Maimuna N Ahmad

C

ome home, now. Come home to a place where scores are dying each week because we are playing a farcical game of political chicken.

(Farcical because the basic premise of using terrorism as a tool of political manipulation is that one side cares enough about the damage to cave to the other’s demands. In our case, not true.)

because we do not think our teachers deserve to be paid (or, for that matter trained) more than the factory workers. Come home to a nation that is deeply entangled in existential angst and the search for its soul. Come home, now, to a country that will break your heart, every day.

Before going further, let me apologise for the assumptions I have made about who you are and what/where you consider “home.” Bangladesh-

Come home because you want to be personally and professionally challenged in a way you never have before. Come home because you choose to be a part of the solution

Come home to a place where men and women are buried alive in rubble of concrete and steel, because we value human bodies only as much as the labour that can be wrung out of them.

Come home to a place where our children graduate from primary school without being able to read or add,

is – both in the country and outside of it – have complex, multi-faceted identities.

But if you thought for any brief moment that this letter was addressed to you, then it is. This letter is not even just for those who live physically abroad, but those who live metaphysi-

cally abroad as well.

So many of us in this country live lives so well-insulated that we might as well be somewhere else altogether.

To us all, I entreat, come home, now.

Come home to a country which needs your skills, your experience, and most significantly, your voice. History and narrative in Bangladesh have been hijacked by corrupt megalomaniacs, their thugs and their sycophants – they are ours to reclaim.

Come home to a place which proves itself, time and again, shockingly resilient in the face of tragedy; to a nation held together by the kindness of strangers. Come home to a country where brilliant young people are starting incredible organisations and leading unprecedented movements, where hope and opportunity abound in unlikely places. Come home to a country that will inspire you, every day.

Come home; get your hands dirty.

Leave Wall Street, become a teacher. Leave Capitol Hill, become an entrepreneur. Come home, but – and here’s the important part – come home because you want and choose to (and not because slums look cool on Insta-

gram). Come home because you want to be personally and professionally challenged in a way you never have before. Come home because you choose to be a part of the solution.

Come home, then start something,

Let’s build the place we call home

build something, change something, say something.

Just come home. Now. l Maimuna N Ahmad is Founder and CEO, Teach for Bangladesh.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Ekattorer Ma Jononi recognises the Birongonas as freedom fighters

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Ten Commandments screens at BSA today n Entertainment Desk A film festival featuring Oscar award winning films, going on at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from December 7 till December 13.

International Digital Film Archive of Academy’s National Theatre organises the weeklong festival. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1968), directed by Franco Zeffirelli has been screened on the opening day of the film festival.

Today, The Ten Commandments (1956), produced and directed

by Cecil B DeMille will screen at 6pm at the screening room of International Digital Film Archive of BSA. This film is a American religious historical epic film. It dramatizes the biblical story of the life of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who becomes the deliverer of his real brethren, the enslaved Hebrews, and therefore leads the Exodus to Mount Sinai, where he receives, from God, the Ten Commandments. It stars Charlton Heston in the lead role, Yul Brynner as Rameses, Anne Baxter as Nefretiri, Edward G Robinson as Dathan, Yvonne De Carlo as Sephora, Debra Paget as Lilia, and John Derek as Joshua; and features Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Sethi, Nina Foch as Bithiah, Martha Scott as Yochabel, Judith Anderson as Memnet, and Vincent Price as Baka, among others. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

Pacific Rim in 3D Purno dhorgho prem kahini Riddick, The Conjuring Titanic (3D) Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

Exhibition

Solo Painting Exhibition

By Nurun Naher Supti Time: 3pm – 9pm Alliance Francaise de Dhaka 26 Mirpur Road Dhanmondi

Quest for Reality Rafiqun Nabi Time: 12pm-8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts House No 42, Road No 16 Sheik Kamal Sarani Dhanmondi,

City of Rhythm Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed Time: 12pm to 8pm Institute of Asian Creatives House 9 Road 36 Gulshan 2

MM Morshed (left) and Nipun in a scene of Ekattorer Ma Jononi

n Shadma Malik The film Ekattorer Ma Jononi will be out on the cinemas sometime in March next year. As its title suggests, the story of the movie is about the glorious liberation war of Bangladesh. The script is influenced by the novel Jononi Shahoshini 1971, written by Anisul Hoque.

The film directed by Shah Alam Kiron features popular actors of the silver screen: Nipun, Agun, Shakil Ahmed, MM Morshed and Chitrolekha Guho. Uttom gave the art direction and a theatre troupe also worked in the making of the film.

The plot is a collection of scattered stories that revolve around 1971 and the nine months of war. But, the main focus is on one of the stories that have a significant role in the success of the liberation war. Jamila (Nipun) and Hashem (Agun) are residents of a village and when the war broke out, Jamila encourages her husband Hashem to take

part in the noble cause of liberating the country.

But lady luck was not with Jamila, she was abducted and taken to the Pakistani army camp as her husband’s involvement in the uprise was evident.

There she meets many women who are brutally tortured and abused by the Pakistani army. In captivity, Jamila realises the need for a free country and the spirit of liberation war.

She and her fellow women captives start to work against the soldiers in the camp. At one point, Jamila and her husband Hashem succeed to invade the camp. It was a small step, but it shows the role of every small step in the liberation of the country.

In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune at the shooting of the film, the director shares: “I am happy direct a film which portrays the glorious liberation war that sets us apart from other countries and makes us proud to be Bangladeshis”

“My film differs from other liberation war movies as it focuses on the war heroines, the Birongonas, it highlights the crucial role played by these women, who paid for freedom with their dignity and self-respect. Ekattorer Ma Jononi pays tribute to the women freedom fighters of Bangladesh and recognises their true worth and sacrifices.”

When asked about the challenges he faced, Kiron said: “It was a challenging task to establish the womenfolk as freedom fighters and convey the message to people that they identify them as what they really were instead of viewing them as victims only. Another challenging aspect was to portray the past in the present.”

Shah Alam Kiron started his career as a director in the early ‘80s. His significant movies are Niyoti Til Khela, Jibon Diya Bhalobashi, Bichhar Hobey, Ghor Jamai, Ami Ek o Manush, Churiwala, Matir Thikana, Bidrohi and many more. l

Amar Shopno Grosto Shomoy Tumi Nayeeka Hoye Utho on Channel 9 n Entertainment Desk The single-episode drama titled Amar Shopno Grosto Shomoy Tumi Nayeeka Hoye Utho will air tonight at 9:10pm on Channel 9. Written and directed by Mahmud Didar, the drama features Ahona, Bhabna, Bidya Sinha Mim, Zahir Uddin Piyar and many more.

The story is about a young producer willing to make a film. He believes that it casting a woman in the role of the protagonist would bring fortune for him. He goes to a legend to listen stories on women. The storyteller narrates stories of three women: a dancer, a sex worker and a mother. These characters ultimately become different elements in his film. l

ON TV DRAMA

COMEDY

MIXED

10:30pm Colors

12:00pm FX

12:30pm AXN

11:00pm Star Plus

8:30pm Star World

9:30pm FTV

Uttaran Veera

The Simpsons The Neighbors

So You Think You Can Dance Fashion Divas

New pair hits silver screen n Entertainment Desk Two thriving stars of Dhallywood, Saimon and Amrita, will be seen as a pair on the silver screen with their upcoming film Ojante Bhalobasha.

Written by Komol Sarker and directed by A J Rana, the shooting of the film will start from January 20.

Saimon has already made a mark in the hearts of cinema lovers with his acting skills and glamorous appearance. He made his debut in the 2012 with the movie Ji Huzur.

Recently Dhallywood’s new sensation Mahiya Mahi and Saimon have emerged on the silver screen together in Poramon which made a good business while his third film Er Beshi Bhalobasha Jai Na attracted mixed reactions.

On the other hand, Amrita, a relatively new face in Dhallywood, made her mark by acting in Royel Anik’s Game and Atik Rahman’s Ontore Ontore.

About Ojante Bhalobasha, Saimon said: “The position I currently own in the media is because of Jakir Hossain Raju and Jazz Multimedia. He has inspired me from the very beginning of my career. I am grateful to them for making me what I am today.”

Amrita said: “Though none of my films has ben released yet, I am hopeful that audience will love my films and accept me.” l

Adam Sandler tops Forbes’ list of most-overpaid actors n Entertainment Desk

American actor Adam Sandler topped Forbes’ list of Hollywood’s most-overpaid actors, commanding a high up-front fee while delivering middling returns..

Sandler, 47, the star of recent comedies Jack & Jill and That’s My Boy, dethroned Eddie Murphy for the dubious distinction. Forbes estimated that Sandler’s last three films returned an average of $3.40 for every dollar he was paid.

Murphy topped last year’s list, returning an average of $2.30 at the box office for each dollar earned.

Katherine Heigl, who starred in the poorly performing films Killers and One for the Money, placed slightly behind Sandler, returning an average of $3.50 per every dollar she earned.

The list, compiled annually by Forbes, counts the last three films an actor has starred in over the past three years. This year’s list was cut off at June 1, and so it excluded Sandler’s buddy comedy Grown Ups 2, which was released in July and performed well at the box office.

Forbes did not say how much Sandler earned on his last three films. But the magazine said he

was one of the few movie stars who could still command more than $15 million per film, on an “up front” arrangement. Hollywood studios in recent years have shifted to paying smaller upfront fees and tie actors’ pay with the film’s box office performance.

The magazine said it examined actors’ pay, film budgets and expenses to calculate the av-

erage return an actor brings per dollar paid.

Reese Witherspoon, the star of recent films Water for Elephants and This Means War, was third on this list, with an average return of $3.90 for every dollar she was paid.

Nicholas Cage was fourth, with a $6 average return, and comedian Kevin James was fifth, returning an average of $6.10. l

SRK: Aamir finest actor, always inspiring Deepika receives ‘big’ compliment

n Entertainment Desk Superstar Shah Rukh Khan feels Aamir Khan is the finest actor and an inspiration for the kind of work he has done in Dhoom 3.

“He is the finest actor the country has. For his role (in Dhoom 3) he required that kind of body. He does some trapeze work in the film.

For him to work out that way (to have a perfect body) it is fantastic and inspiring,” Shah Rukh said at an event recently.

“Aamir leads the way and is always an inspiration like this not only physically and mentally but with the kind of job and work he does. I really appreciate it,” he said.

In Dhoom 3, Aamir plays the role of a baddie. Shah Rukh is also ready to play a negative role again on screen. He had played negative roles in the beginning of his career in films like Darr, Baazigar

n Entertainment Desk

and Anjaam.

“It is long time I haven’t played such a role, I will like to do it. If I am offered (anti-hero role) I will do it

though it may not be commercially very befitting. It may not get into club of Rs100crore or Rs200crore.” Shah Rukh added. l

While the audiences feel that Deepika is the biggest take away from the film and she has done a phenomenal act portraying her character in the film Goliyon Raasleela Ram-Leela , the best compliment came to her from Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Big B has sent Deepika a personalised hand written note along with her favorite flowers to appreciate her performance in the movie. Obviously, Deepika was very delighted by his gesture and feels it is one of the best gifts she has received.

He expressed his view about the film on his blog and posted, “There is a certain joy in acknowledging the accomplishments of another, I did so for Ram-Leela, the film and its glorious cast and crew. With Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Deepika, Ranveer, Supriya and Richa, all that have made this film a most memorable experience for me. I have watched it three times over in the last 24 hours and still desire for more.”

Deepika has looked breathtaking and brings a lot of energy to the screen. Deepika in Goliyon Raasleela Ram-Leela has done it all this year, making it her 4th successful hit in the year.l

Deepika and Big B greet each other at a programme recently

Did you know?

After 1626 minutes without a Premier League goal, Danny Graham on Monday scored the opener for Hull City against Swansea

Sport

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

DAYS TO GO

14 Milan, Dortmund look to reach CL last 16

n Mazhar Uddin

The Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan yesterday announced that former national skipper Faruk Ahmed to be the new chief of the national selection panel. The tenure as the chief selector will be the second for Faruk, who left the post after the ICC World Cup 2007.

I got the assignment for the next two years and thus would like to make the best use of the time for executing strategies

n Raihan Mahmood

Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman beat FM Berry Neil of Scotland in the 3rd round of the 5th London Chess Classic FIDE Open at the Olympia Conference Center, Kensington London yesterday.

The result saw Zia take his tally to 2.5 points. In the 4th round, he is pitted against IM Houska Jovanka of England.

Meanwhile GM Niaz Murshed lost to M. Kunal of India in the 6th round of the SREI International Grandmaster Chess at Kolkata.

Of the other Bangladesh players, Debaraj Chatterjee lost to FM Matta Vinoy Kumar of India, Zoar Haque Prodhan lost to Pradeep Kumar of India, Sharif Hossain lost to Rajdeep Sarker of India, Saidul Islam Mamun drew with Godbole Atharva of India and Saimon Siddikur Rahman lost to Shetye Siddali of India.

At the end of the 3rd round, Debaraj has 2.5 points, Zoar Haque Prodhan 2 points, Sharif Hossain 1.5 points, while Saimon Siddiqur Rahman, Saidul Islam Masum have one point each. l

15 Bolt, Fraser-Pryce crowned top athletes

Nasir raring to go

n Minhaz Uddin Khan

Zia wins in London

13

0 9 5

Faruk new chief selector

“We had two options for the post.

Most of the directors agreed Faruk was the right contender and so we have termed him as the chief selector for next two years,” Nazmul told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Faruk, successor to former chief selector Akram Khan, was thrilled at the news and looked forward to perform in the best way possible.

“Akram has taken the national team to a very good position. Both Minhazul Abedin Nannu and Habibul Bashar (members of the selection) accompanied Akram very well in the last few years. My challenge will be to take the level of performance higher and hope Bashar and Nannu will help me the way they did Akram,” said Faruk.

Faruk further informed that his immediate task will be to form the best possible team for the ICC World Twenty20 2014.

“I got the assignment for the next two years and thus would like to make the best use of the time for executing strategies. My first task is to get the strongest team for the World Twenty20 and then work for a good ODI team for the World Cup 2015,” he said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

The leading names of Bangladesh ‘A’ team skipper Nasir Hossain, Mominul Haque share a light moment in the practice session at the SBNS yesterday

MUMIT M

Departure unjustified: Nazmul n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan told the media yesterday that the departure of the West Indies U19 team was unjustified and that the situation in Bangladesh is not serious enough to justify a team leaving in that manner.

“A team from the ICC (International Cricket Council) was in Bangladesh a few days ago for an inspection. They saw the security arrangement and were happy with it.

“They (WI U-19) were supposed to play the second game on the rescheduled date but later, they refused be-

cause of the letter from WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) asking them to leave. Our CEO (Ziamuddin Chowdhury, BCB acting CEO) had sent a letter explaining everything to them yesterday (Monday) evening, but got no response,” Nazmul said.

Nazmul speculated that it might have been the parents of the cricketers who pressured the WICB into withdrawing the team.

“The cricketers were never the target of the crude bomb explosion near the team hotel in Chittagong. As said before, it was an isolated incident,” clarified Nazmul.

The BCB boss mentioned that the

unrest in the country is due political disputes, not terrorist activities.

“Political unrest can happen in many countries where people can get scared. This is not a terrorist activity, rather a political one and is not linked to terrorism. The strikes and blockades did not start today or yesterday, it has been going on for a while. The New Zealand team played during a strike, they didn’t find it to be an issue,” said Nazmul.

The BCB boss added that he had contacted the relevant political parties and requested that cricket be kept off their violent agendas.

“Our country is crazy for cricket and

loves the game a lot. BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) declared that cricket will be exempted from their activities, so there is a clear message. So there is no reason to be scared. We had arranged the best security for West Indies U-19 and there was nothing to worry about but they left. We are sad about it, but we are not worried,” said Nazmul.

WICB’s decision will not harm the future of the game in Bangladesh, believes Nazmul. Political unrest is a common scene after the election.

The Bangladesh election is scheduled to be held on January 5, 2014.l

National all-rounder Nasir Hossain said yesterday that the Challenge series will help the Tigers prepare for the upcoming T20 World Championship, at the MirpurSher-e-Bangla National stadium yesterday.

“Of course, we have a T20World Championship next year and the most important thing is every match preparation is always good for us and I think this preparation will help us for the upcoming mega event,” said Nasir.

However the 22- year old agreed that the amount of preparationwas not enough, “I don’t think the preparations are enough for us before the World Championship because playing these three-four matches will certainly not fulfill the amount of practice we need before such tournament. I think the board will think about these things,” he said.

He also informed that it will be better if there was a T20 tournament like the Bangladesh Premier League for preparation purposes.

National skipper Mushfiqur Rahim will lead a side against the A team today and the captain of the A team Nasir thought that the second eleven’s players were keen to demonstrate their worth and hence, the series would be highly competitive. “There will be competition in the series, as the cricketers from the A side will always try to prove their talents to get into the national side, where they take the matches seriously,” said Nasir.

Bangladesh team will face the A team in the remaining two matches on December 12 and 13 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Nasir, who has captained both the U-13 and U-15 sides,said he had enjoyed the leadership role. Nonetheless, when asked if he was ready to take the vacant vice captain’s post, he said that he is not thinking about the issue at the moment.

Bangladesh has a very busy schedule for the next couple of months – and the possibility of players getting injured is a relevant one.

Nasir, however, remained calm over the prospect, “You never know when a cricketer gets injured, it’s totally about luck. But as we are professional cricketers, we know how to keep fit and take proper rest.” l

BPL from Dec 27 West Indies U-19 team depart 7th n n

Mazhar Uddin

The Bangladesh Cricket Board made a last-ditch attempt on Monday to salvage the Under-19 series against the touring West Indies U-19 side after the West Indies Cricket Board decided pull their team out citing due to security concerns, but the touring side finally left Bangladesh yesterday morning.

The WI U-19 team flew to Dhaka yesterday morning and they returned to the Caribbean immediately afterewards from the Hazrat Shah Jalal International airport.

Earlier on Monday, the WICB’s announcement came as a body blow for the BCB, who had earlier tried to convince the visitors to continue the series

after concerns were raised following an explosion outside the team’s hotel.

The touring West Indies U-19 side had been scheduled to play seven youth ODI matches but only played the first match before the incident occurred near the team’s hotel in Chittagong, forcing the visiting side to leave Bangladesh in the middle of the series.

The WICB’s decision was taken on the basis of a report on the situation in Bangladesh by WICB security manager Paul Slowe.

The statement read: “The report emphasised that the current security environment in Bangladesh is not conducive to the playing of cricket in light of the 72-hour nationwide blockade

and calls for countrywide dawn-todusk protest.

“Travel arrangements are being made to allow for the team’s return to the Caribbean as quickly as possible.

The team will remain safely accommodated at the team hotel’s was under adequate security protection until its departure from Bangladesh.”

This is the first time any international side has pulled out of a tour of Bangladesh for security reasons and will surely tarnish the image of the country before the T20 World Championship in March next year. The Asia Cup, scheduled to take place before that, is also now in the shade of the darkness as the ICC earlier asked BCB to report on the security situation of the country. l

Raihan Mahmood

The 7th edition of Bangladesh Premier League will begin at two venues in Dhaka - the Bangabandhu National Stadium and the Kamalapur Mostafa Kamal Stadium - on December 27.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Professional League Committee of the Bangladesh Football Federation at the BFF House yesterday. Representatives of all 10 premier league clubs were present at the meeting.

However, due to the prevailing political turmoil in the country, BFF has decided to start the premier league with the third phase, which had previously been planned to be held at a neutral venue, while the first and second phases are to be held on a home-and-away basis.

BFF has designated the stadiums of Feni and Gopalganj, the home of Feni Soccer and Muktijoddha respectively, as being outside the capital venues for the professional league of the country.

“We have no alternatives apart from it; we have to start the professional league as soon as possible as already we have failed to maintain the calendar. We are focused on starting the league and hope the political situation cools down and then we can look after other aspects,” said Salam Murshedy, the senior vice president of BFF. There will be at least three match days per week and maybe more. “We are yet to finalise the fixture as we are still thinking of match days. At least three match days is the plan, with two matches per day.” said Abu Naeem Shohag, the general secretary of BFF. l

Hemanta’s final report on cards n Shishir Hoque The final report of Bangladesh U-19 skipper Hemanta Vincent Biswas regarding his trial at FC Twente is time consuming, said national team’s Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif yesterday.

Hemanta had his final trial game and practice session for the Dutch club yesterday and is expected to fly back to Nepal tomorrow. After dropping Bimal Gharti Magar there, he will return to Dhaka along with Dutch assistant coach Rene Koster on Friday.

Asked about the final report of Hemanta, Kruif replied, “It wouldn’t be in one or two days. We have to wait for a while for the final report on Hemanta. There’s nothing to be worried, as if it will be negative or positive for him.

If he fails this time, there is a chance they could call him back and give him another trial later.

“The coaching staffs will analyze his overall performance and they told me they will call me for any information regarding Hemanta.”

Meanwhile, Kruif’s family left Dhaka for Netherlands earlier but the coach will leave on December 18 and return on January 12. Kruif was supposed to leave on Tuesday but Kazi Salahuddin requested him to stay for few more days to be present at the World Cup Trophy program, which begins on December 17.

The Dutch coach went on to blame the country’s current political unrest and financial crisis for the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) not moving forward with its plans for

the national team.

“There are not enough options in the number 9, 10 and wing positions and I have planned to a hold talent hunt program across the country to search for players in those respective positions. But I can’t go on with my plan due to the financial crisis and the political unrest in the country,” he said.

Kruif praised Nahid, Tapu Barmon, Yeasin, Meshu, Sajib’s performance in the ongoing Federation Cup but he is also searching for more young talented players for the national team. He is expected to sit with the BFF coaches soon and give them some assignments towards this end.

The Dutch coach is also planning to tour Australia, England, Canada, America and Germany in search of non-resident Bangladeshi footballers. l

Officials of sports and youth ministry accorded a warm welcome to the Bangladesh Special Olympics contingent who won 77 gold medals in the Asia-Pacific Special Olympics upon their arrival at the Dhaka airport yesterday COURTESY

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

I’d rather play Spain than Chile in last 16: Scolari n Reuters, Sao Paulo

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would rather play Spain or the Netherlands if the hosts make the last 16 of the World Cup than South American rivals Chile.

Chile are “a pain” to play against because their system is in direct contrast to Brazil’s, Scolari said on TV Globo’s Esporte Espetacular program.

“I hope Chile don’t qualify. “I’d rather play any of the others. They’re a pain to play against. They’re well organised, they’re intelligent, they have a good side. It’s better to play against a European team,” he added.

Brazil are in Group A with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon and the winners face the runners-up in Group B featuring Chile, world and European champions Spain, the Netherlands and Australia.

The winners of Group B face the runners-up in Group A in the last 16.

Scolari may have been employing early psychology. Brazil beat Chile 2-1 in a friendly last month and have lost only seven times in 67 matches against the South Americans.

The former Chelsea boss said he was not concerned that Brazil were in the toughest half of the draw with five of the eight former World Cup winners.

“We’re ready for whatever happens,” he said. “I just don’t want to play Uruguay.”

Uruguay famously won the World Cup in 1950 by beating Brazil at the Maracana stadium. l

Barcelona could leave Nou Camp n Agencies

The Spanish champions have commissioned a report over the viability of both projects with the objective to increase the capacity of their home ground to 105,000.

Although progress was made at a meeting on Monday, the Barca directors will not announce their preferred option until early in 2014.

Board spokesman Toni Freixa explained on the club’s official website it had two choices: “The construction of a new stadium on the land on Diagonal, property which belongs to the University of Barcelona, or a profound remodelling project that would constitute a new stadium keeping the current structure of the Camp Nou. Despite the sizeable financial outlay that would be involved, Freixa insisted any project would not harm the club, “It needs to be viable from a technical perspective, urbanist and economic. We would never submit a project that would endanger the sustainability of the club.”

The Nou Camp is already the largest ground in Europe with a capacity of 99,354. l

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (L), Brazilian midfielder Oscar (C) and Spanish striker Fernando Torres (R) attend a training session at the club's training ground in Cobham, Surrey, south of London, yesterday on the eve of their Uefa Champions League match against Steaua Bucharest AFP

Milan, Dortmund look to reach last 16 n Agencies Former champions AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund go into their final group matches needing a result in their respective games to ensure they continue their campaign for the trophy in the New Year.

AC Milan need only a point against Ajax today to secure entry to the last 16 of the Champions League, but embattled coach Massimiliano Allegri is taking nothing for granted.

For the second consecutive season Milan’s run-in to Christmas is anything but festive: they currently sit ninth in Serie A, 22 points behind leaders Juventus and 14 adrift of the first Champions League qualifying spot.

With Ajax conceding only three defeats on their way to second place in the Dutch top flight, Allegri says it would be a mistake to underestimate Frank De Boer’s side, who, with a win, would qualify.

“Ajax have shown some great form of late and they have great technique throughout the team. We have to have the right attitude against them and, above all, score goals,” said the Italian.

Milan’s 3-0 rout of Celtic in Scotland a fortnight ago, when Ajax stunned Barcelona 2-1 in Amsterdam to stay in contention, kept the Italian giants in second place in Group H with a onepoint lead on the Dutchmen.

It means the seven-time European champions need just a point at the San Siro to join leaders Barcelona in the knockout phase.

Meanwhile, Barcelona welcome Celt-

ic to the Camp Nou still needing a point to mathematically ensure they finish top of Champions League Group H. The Catalans appeared to be cruising to first place and the benefit of hav-

FIXTURES Schalke 04 (GER) Chelsea (ENG) Marseille (FRA) Napoli (ITA) Vienna (AUT) Madrid (ESP) AC Milan (ITA) Barcelona (ESP)

v v v v v v v v

Basel (SUI) Steaua (ROM) Dortmund (GER) Arsenal (ENG) Zenit (RUS) FC Porto (POR) Ajax (NED) Celtic (SCO)

ing the second-leg of their last 16 tie at home having beaten AC Milan 3-1 to qualify on matchday four.

However, a 2-1 defeat away to Ajax

in their last European outing leaves them just two points clear of Milan.

Defeat in Amsterdam was followed by another loss, this time on the domestic front, as Athletic Bilbao ended Barca’s 26-game unbeaten run in La Liga five days later.

Despite the group stage’s predictable nature, this season has at least proved more competitive than last term when 13 of the 16 knockout stage places had been booked before the final round of group matches.

As expected, Group F has turned out to be by far the toughest.

Leaders Arsenal (12 points) travel to Napoli (9) needing a draw, or a defeat by less than three goals, while Borussia Dortmund (9), will go through if they beat pointless Olympique Marseille away, regardless of the other result.

Should Napoli and Dortmund both

Brazil vows to act after hooliganism outbreak n AFP, Rio De Janeiro

Greenpeace banner interrupts Madrid press meet n AFP, Copenhagen A banner from environmental activists Greenpeace protesting at Russian oil giant Gazprom’s exploration in the Arctic interrupted a Real Madrid press conference ahead of their Champions League clash away to FC Copenhagen on Monday.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and defender Pepe had just begun the press conference in the Danish capital when a banner was lowered behind them which read “Save the arctic, show Gazprom the red card.”

The banner was quickly removed by officials before the press conference continued.

Gazprom is an official sponsor of the Champions League and it is not the first time Greenpeace has launched a protest of this type this season.

Once the press conference restarted, though, normal service was resumed as Pepe backed teammate and compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or for the second time. l

Brazil pledged to stamp out stadium violence Monday after hooliganism marred a weekend first division league game, raising fresh doubts about its ability to stage a trouble-free World Cup. President Dilma Rousseff said Brazil could not and would not tolerate soccer violence after fans of Atletico Paranaense and Vasco Da Gama fought pitched battles in the southern city of Joinville.

Graphic television footage showed hundreds of fans of both sides kicking and punching for several minutes with the game only a few minutes old, forcing the referee to call a halt for an

win, they will finish level with Arsenal on 12 points and the qualifiers will be decided by the results between the three teams.

Group E will also have a dramatic finish when habitual over-achievers Basel (8 points) visit spectacularly inconsistent Schalke (7) needing a point to join Chelsea in the last 16.

Despite their dismal domestic form, seven-times champions AC Milan (8) should get the point they need at home to Ajax Amsterdam (7) and follow Barcelona through from Group H. “The Dutch have achieved great results and have good technique and we must take all the necessary precautions,” said Milan’s unflappable coach Massimiliano Allegri whose future is the source of constant speculation.

“We have to score a goal, we cannot think of playing for the 0-0.” l

Ribery named French player of the year n Reuters, Paris

hour as order was belatedly restored.

The violence continued unabated as the hooligans ran amok, clashing in several sections of the stands.

At least three fans were hurt with one, believed to have suffered a fractured skull airlifted to safety by helicopter.

There was further controversy after police failed to intervene and it later transpired that Atletico had only drafted private security personnel to ‘police’ a “private event.”

Rousseff was energetic in her condemnation. “A footballing country cannot live with violence in its stadiums. This violence goes against all that we associate with football,” the president said.

“The presence of police is necessary in stadiums,” she added. l

Franck Ribery, who has been shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA-Ballon d’Or award, was named French Player of the Year yesterday by France Football magazine.

The Bayern Munich winger beat midfield duo Paul Pogba of Juventus and Paris St Germain’s Blaise Matuidi in a poll of past and present French players.

“I now have to go get Thierry Henry’s record,” Ribery, who has now won the prize three times to Henry’s five, told France Football.

AS Roma’s Rudi Garcia, who joined the Serie A club from Lille during the close season and is unbeaten in 15 league matches, was named the best French coach for 2013 in a poll of current and former managers. l

Moyes admits life tough at United Unlikely scorers as n AFP, Manchester

Manchester United manager David Moyes admitted it is “tough” at Old Trafford as he endures a difficult start to life with the club.

The Premier League champions sit ninth in the table after 15 games and a massive 13 points off leaders Arsenal after back-to-back defeats at home to Everton and Newcastle in the space of four days.

But he revealed he is taking full responsibility for their poor start in the Premier League in their first season since Alex Ferguson retired.

“We’ve been inconsistent at times but played well in some of the Champi-

ons League, not so well in the Premier League,” he said.

“We’ve maybe lacked a bit of fortune in some of the games.

“It’s tough because the expectancy is to win all the games. I think there’s a bit of everything we can improve - generally play better, pass better, defend better.

“It is not any one thing. It is all round we have to improve. It was only recent when we had beaten Arsenal here and then Leverkusen (that) we were speaking very well about the team.

“I take complete responsibility for the results. Fortunately they’ve been good in the Champions League but not in the Premier League. Hopefully they will get better.”

Moyes revealed the shock defeat by Newcastle on Saturday - the Magpies’ first league win at Old Trafford since 1972 - has only given the United manager more drive to turn their season around.

“No I did not need to lift my spirits after Newcastle - that raised my spirits,” he said. “It just made me more determined to make sure we improve and get better. I agree in recent games we have not finished games in the way we would have liked to. I’ve tried to make changes but it hasn’t quite happened.”

The United boss revealed the players are hurting but still has full belief that they will turn their season around and that he has a squad big enough for the challenge. l

Swansea draw with Hull n Reuters

Two unlikely goalscorers lifted a largely dull midtable Premier League clash between Swansea City and Hull City who shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium on Monday.

Hull striker Danny Graham’s first goal in almost a year put the visitors ahead after nine minutes, the former Swansea player side-footing home from close range following a right-wing cross by Ahmed Elmohamady.

It was Graham’s first Premier League

goal in 28 matches - the last one scored for Swansea in January.

Hull had a goal disallowed when David Meyler was adjudged offside, then

RESULT Swansea Flores 60

1-1

Hull

Graham 9)

Yannick Sagbo’s shot from distance was saved at full stretch by Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel.

The point moved both teams up one place in the table, Swansea to 10th and Hull 12th. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

'Pakistan players suffering from home exclusion' n Reuters, Karachi

QUICK BYTES

Guardiola laughs off Neuer to City reports Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has laughed off reports Manchester City have tabled a 48 million euros bid (£40m) for Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash.

Bayern host Manchester City at Munich’s Allianz Arena with the Premier League side needing to win at least 3-0 to knock the hosts from first place in Group D with both sides already through to the knock-out stages. Guardiola has said he is deadly serious about the Bavarians’ intentions of beating City to become only the sixth team in Champions League history to emerge from the group stages with a 100 per cent record from the six games. But the Spaniard laughed off British media reports that City have tabled a huge bid for Neuer, the rock in the Bayern defence which has leaked just nine goals in 20 Bundesliga and Champions League games this season.

–AFP

South Africa name unchanged squad for India Tests

South Africa on Monday named an unchanged 15-man squad for two Test matches against India later this month.

South Africa, the leading team on the International Cricket Council rankings, have not been beaten in a series since 2009. Both their last two series against India, away in 2009/10 and at home the following season, were drawn. In their most recent series, against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October, South Africa lost the first Test in Abu Dhabi but bounced back with an innings win in the second and final Test in Dubai to share the series. “We were very happy with the performance of the Proteas in the second Test match at Dubai,” said Cricket South Africa selection convener Andrew Hudson, “and we see no need to change something that is operating well.”

–AFP

Israel midfielder Benayoun signs for QPR Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun has signed a short-term contract with English Championship club Queen’s Park Rangers. The promotion-chasing London club confirmed on Tuesday that the former West Ham United, Liverpool and Chelsea player, who had been on trial, had joined the second tier side until the end of the season. “Yossi is a good footballer, a top-class player,” QPR manager Harry Redknapp said. “He’s got great ability and is someone I have always liked. I actually tried to take him to Tottenham at one time. “I think he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.”

–Reuters

Turkey minister slams Mandela T-shirt action Turkey’s sports minister lashed out on Monday at moves by the football authorities to punish two top Ivorian club players for paying homage to Nelson Mandela. Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue have been threatened with disciplinary action by the Turkish Football Federation for violating a ban on wearing political slogans on T-shirts – triggering outrage on Twitter. Turkish Sports Minister Suat Kilic called on the federation to review its decision against the two star players with Istanbul giant Galatasaray. Drogba removed his club shirt after a match Friday against SB Elazigspor to reveal a T-shirt that read “Thank You Madiba”, using Mandela’s clan name.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket 4:30PM South Africa v India 3rd ODI Ten Golf

South Africa's players celebrate after winning the Final match against New Zealand in IRB Sevens rugby tournament at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday

Pakistan, Sri Lanka tune up for World Twenty20

Bolt, Fraser-Pryce crowned top athletes

n AFP, Dubai

Jamaica’s double World Championships sprint gold medalists Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were on Monday named the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s male and female athletes of 2013. Bolt, who was absent due to sponsorship commitments off the island, and Fraser-Pryce,

Sri Lanka and Pakistan will use their two-match series in Dubai starting on Wednesday to size each other up ahead of the World Twenty20 in three months’ time.

Pakistan, fourth in the Twenty20 rankings, are also aiming to topple Sri Lanka from the top of the standings by winning both matches, the second of which takes place on Friday.

“Sri Lanka are a top side so this is in itself a motivation to beat the number one side and if we win both it will lift us to the top of the world,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said.

If the series is a 1-1 draw the teams will maintain their current rankings while a 2-0 loss would push Hafeez’s team down to fifth. Pakistan go into the matches well prepared after playing four Twenty20 games against South Africa last month.

They also overcame tough resistance from minnows Afghanistan by six wickets in a last ball thriller in Sharjah on Sunday – the first Twenty20 be-

tween the two countries.

Pakistan will be at full strength and boosted by the return of magician offspinner Saeed Ajmal, who skipped Sunday’s game to rest back home.

“We leaked quite a few runs against Afghanistan so we will have to be at our best to beat Sri Lanka and Ajmal’s return will help that,” said Hafeez, who was man of the match against Afghanistan for his 42 not out.

Sri Lanka, led by Dinesh Chandimal, will have to overcome rustiness after most of their recent matches at home were ruined by rain. Last month they beat New Zealand 1-0 with the other match abandoned because of inclement weather.

“The advantage Pakistan’s got is that they have played a lot of international cricket in the last six-eight months whereas unfortunately we haven’t played nearly as much because of weather and various other things,” said coach Graham Ford.

Sri Lanka are hoping their batting will see them through with the experienced

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara providing a contrast to Pakistan’s fragile and unpredictable batsmen.

Ajantha Mendis and Sachithra Senanayake are the two specialist spinners in the bowling department which is spearheaded by paceman Lasith Malinga.

Pakistan finished runners-up in the first World Twenty20 held in South Africa in 2007 before winning the title in England two years later.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s – a defeat which Sri Lanka avenged by winning the semi-final in Colombo on their way to finishing runners-up in the fourth edition last year.

The fifth edition will be held in Bangladesh from March 16 to April 6.

Pakistan’s selectors added 19 yearold left-arm paceman Usman Shinwari to the squad after his impressive performance at domestic level.

Shinwari took 5-9 in National Twenty20 championship final on December 3 in Lahore, which also included Pakistan’s one-day and Test captain Misbah-ul Haq’s scalp. l

n AFP, Kingston

retained the titles they won last year.

Bolt won the 100 metre-200 metre double at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow earlier this year, and led the 4x100m relay teams to victory as well. Fraser-Pryce also won the double in the 100m and 200m.

Bolt and Fraser-Pryce were earlier this year named the IAAF male and female athletes of the year. l

Double points to go to winner of final Grand Prix

England rest senior trio for ODIs

n AFP, Paris

2014 F1 CALENDAR

Formula One’s governing body has announced a series of changes aimed at making the motor sport more competitive and crowd-pleasing.

These include awarding double points for the final Grand Prix of the season, which next year takes place in Abu Dhabi on Nov 23, and a numbers identification system for drivers which they will retain throughout their career.

The decision to award double points, counting towards the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, at the final race of the season was made “to maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign”, according to a statement from FIA. l

March 16 March 30 April 6 April 20 May 11 May 25 June 8 June 22 July 6 July 20 July 27 August 24 Sep 7 Sep 21 Oct 5 Oct 12 Nov 2 Nov 9 Nov 23

England have rested batsman Kevin Pietersen and bowling pair Graeme Swann and James Anderson from their limited-overs squads for the series in Australia starting next month.

Test captain Alastair Cook will lead the 16-man squad in the one-day international series, while paceman Stuart Broad will be in charge of the 15-man Twenty20 squad named on Tuesday.

England will play five ODIs and three T20 matches following the fivetest Ashes series which they trail 2-0.

“This is going to be another month of tough cricket and then a heavy schedule from the West Indies tour onwards,” England coach Andy Flower told reporters on Tuesday.

“Straight after the World T20, the In-

: Australia (Melbourne) : Malaysia (Sepang) : Bahrain (Sakhir) : China (Shanghai) : Spain (Barcelona) : Monaco (Monte Carlo) : Canada (Montreal) : Austria (Red Bull Ring) : Great Britain (Silverstone) : Germany (Hockenheim) : Hungary (Budapest) : Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) : Italy (Monza) : Singapore (Marina Bay) : Japan (Suzuka) : Russia (Sochi) : United States (Austin) : Brazil (Interlagos, Sao Paulo) : Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

n Reuters

dian Premier League begins and while that’s on, the English season starts. Our players who play all three forms cannot play 12 months a year.

SQUAD

ODI Alastair Cook (captain), Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Michael Carberry, Steven Finn, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell.

T20 Stuart Broad (captain), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright.

“Guys like Anderson and Pietersen are in their early 30s now and they are prize assets and we need to look after them.

“From a physical perspective, they’re always dealing with various niggles and sometimes they need to be taken out of competition. That is not for them just to rest, it’s so we can maximise their skills when they do play.”

With the Twenty20 World Cup next year followed by the 50-over World Cup in 2015, the selection will provide opportunities for youngsters to stake their claim.

“We have an important period of limited overs cricket coming up with an ICC World T20 in Bangladesh in March and we are just over a year away from the... World Cup in New Zealand and Australia,” national selector Geoff Miller said in a statement. l

'Johnson can go faster'

06:00 PM Nelson Mandela Championship Day 1 Sony Six NBA 7:00AM Chicago vs Milwaukee 9:30AM LA Lakers vs Phoenix

n AFP, Adelaide

UEFA Champions League Ten Sports 1:45AM Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest Ten Action 1:45AM Napoli v Arsenal Ten HD 1:45AM Barcelona v Celtic Neo Prime 3:00AM (Thursday) West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2nd Test, Day 2

AFP

Playing matches constantly away from home is taking a psychological toll on Pakistan’s players, captain Misbah-ulHaq said on Monday in urging cricket’s governing body (ICC) to reinstate internationals in his country.

No international teams have toured Pakistan since the 2009 attack by militants on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, leaving Pakistan to host all their home matches at neutral countries.

“You look at the example of England batsman Jonathan Trott recently and you can imagine what our players are going through... playing away from home constantly for the last five years is taking its toll on the players,” he said on a television talk show.

Trott is on an indefinite break from cricket after ruling himself out of the ongoing Ashes series in Australia with stress-related issues.

Misbah pointed out that many players struggled to be away from home and their families for long periods of time.

“It is not easy for the players to be playing away from home for the last five years and it has got its psychological consequences and it has also stopped the growth of our cricket,” Misbah added. l

Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson celebrates their victory over England in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide on Monday AFP

Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott had a chilling warning for England Tuesday – Mitchell Johnson can go even faster on his home ground in Perth.

The fearsome left-arm paceman grabbed his second consecutive manof-the-match award after a thumping win in Adelaide on Monday as the home side took a 2-0 lead in the fiveTest series.

If Australia win the third Test starting in Perth on Friday, they will reclaim the Ashes they lost in 2009 with Johnson tipped to take it to another level at a ground where he has claimed 36 wickets at an average of under 20.

The imposing quick, who already has 17 wickets in this series at 12.70,

has bowled at speeds above 150 kph (93 mph) and playing in his home Test should provide even more pace, McDermott said.

“I’d like to see – at his home ground, being in front of his adopted state, Western Australia – what the adrenaline does to his pace,” McDermott told reporters.

“Not forgetting that it’s not all about speed. It’s about making sure that the ball is in the right spot and that is what Mitchell has done since his return to international cricket, both in the shorter form and in Test match cricket.

“He has been able to bowl good line or length, mixed up with some very good short-pitched bowling.”

Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who has helped mastermind Australia’s turnaround after their 3-0 series

loss in England earlier this year, said his key task was to keep the 32-year-old firing on all cylinders.

“He’s been impressive. He’s confident. Our challenge is to keep him going and bowling that way. It’s exciting for Test match cricket,” Lehmann said.

“It’s exciting to see bowlers bowl fast, or spinners turn it square. You’ve got to adapt and improve your technique. It’s always exciting to see guys bowl at those speeds.”

With momentum on their side, Lehmann wants his team to keep on doing what they’ve been doing in Perth.

Lehmann said he expected allrounder Shane Watson to bowl more in Perth after being used sparingly in Brisbane and Adelaide, where his focus was on his batting. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Key Sayedee witness dies Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Udisa Islam

A key prosecution witness against war crimes convict Delawar Hossain Sayedee succumbed to injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital early yesterday, two days after he had received stab injuries allegedly by some Jamaat-Shibir activists at his Pirojpur home.

“Victim Mostafa Hawlader died around 12:10am at the intensive care unit,” Dr M Abdur Rahman, professor and head of ICU, told the Dhaka Tribune.

About the injury, Prof Md Zillur Rahman of neurosurgery department at the DMCH said Mostafa had been suffering from sharp cutting injuries. Some bones of his head were broken due to the hit by sharp weapons while the brain damaged causing bleeding.

“We conducted a surgery on his head for three hours at noon to stop the bleeding and remove the broken pieces of bones,” he told the Dhaka tribune. “Later, we shifted him immediately to the ICU.” Contacted, Dr Kazi Abu Sama, assistant professor of the forensic department, who prepared the autopsy report, cut off the phone when the Dhaka Tribune enquired her about the death.

A source at the department confirmed that the victim had died following a hit by something heavy on the head.

Eighth witness in the Sayedee, Mostafa, 58, and his wife came under attack by some miscreants at his resident in Hoglabunia area of Zianagar in Pirojpur around 3am on Sunday.

Early last year, he gave deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal 1 on charge eight which was related with the murder of Ibrahim Kutti. And on his eye-witness testimony, the tribunal gave Sayedee the death penalty.

After the attack, they were taken to Pirojpur General Hospital and then to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Mo-

Wife of Mostafa Hawlader, who succumbed to his injuries after being hacked allegedly by Jamaat activists on Sunday, bursts into tears at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday.

Mostafa was a witness against Delawar Hossain Sayedee MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU stafa was later sent to the DMCH as his condition deteriorated.

The attack came within a week of withdrawing police protection from Mostafa’s house.

Similarly, over 200 Jamaat-Shibir activists vandalised the house of plaintiff of the Sayedee case and witness Mahbubul Alam Hawlader in Pirojpur on October 28.

Kuddus Hawlader, brother of Mostafa, told the Dhaka Tribune that it had been a pre-planned attack perpetrated by some Jamaat-Shibir men who earlier threatened his brother with dire consequences.

He alleged that the police had played mysterious role on the day of incident police. They reached the house late and mentioned the incident a burglary attempt.

Victim’s wife Hasina Begum also held the Jamaat supporters responsible for the “planned” attack, which she said was launched as her husband had given

deposition against Sayedee.

She demanded execution of the war criminal , punishment of her husband’s killers and security of her family and other witnesses.

Hasina made the appeals before State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam, who visited the morgue yesterday noon.

Quamrul later told reporters that it was not possible to ensure round-theclock security to protect the witnesses from the attacks of Jamaat-Shibir men as “they usually conduct secret attacks. Everyone should come forward and stand against them.”

Hafiz Hawlader, son of the victim, suspected that it was an act of Sayedee followers who earlier had issued threats several times. “We also filed several general diaries with Zianagar police station.”

After the attack, Hafiz told another Sayedee witness Ruhul Amin Nobin that he had recognised two of the three attackers to be BNP and Jamaat activists.

Abdul Mazid Hawlader, younger

brother of the victim filed a case with Zianagar police on Monday accusing some unidentified people.

Contacted, Pirojpur Police Superintendent Akhteruzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that the police had already raided several areas of the district and arrested six persons.

Asked if the incident took place because of police’s negligence, he said: “We are also investigation this issue. If we find any irregularities, we will take stern action.”

Yesterday, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 expressed concerns over the killing of witness Mostafa. It ordered necessary steps to protect the witnesses.

“Every in the world, there is witness protection law and for this type of special court, it is very much necessary,” said the tribunal headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir.

The tribunal then enquired the prosecution about the steps the government had taken in this connection.

Prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman said the team had talks with the home ministry, the tribunal’s investigation agency and other relevant ministries. “We will arrange another meeting with them.”

He then pleaded to the tribunal seeking a suo moto order on the matter. The tribunal said it could not do so as a trial court. “If you [prosecution] submit any petition, then we can go issue an order.”

In a statement yesterday, rights group Ain o Salish Kendra demanded that the government bring attackers to justice and ensure security of all witnesses of the war crimes cases.

Abdur Razzak, chief counsel for Sayedee and also Jamaat assistant secretary general, yesterday condemned the attack. “This is a cowardly attack on a witness which will be detrimental to the rule of law. It is the duty of the state to ensure security of all prosecution and defence witnesses who depose before the tribunal,” he said in a statement. l

Now Molla’s wife shows victory sign n Udisa Islam The time by the clock on the outer wall of the Dhaka Central Jail was exactly 7:51pm, when death row war criminal Quader Molla’s family members stepped through the gates of jail.

Apart from only the children, everyone knew that it could be the last time they were going to meet Molla. They knew that he was going to be hanged in just a few hours.

But a “victory sign” came from virtually nowhere as Molla’s wife Sanoara Jahan used the index and the middle fingers on her right hand to make a gesture that is generally made when someone wins something.

She made the gesture before she even met her husband.

Her son Hasan Jamil explained: “Of course we have won. My father did not harm people and he was not served justice. So, my mother showed this sign.”

“If we do not, then who will show this?” was his rhetoric question.

After Molla’s execution was stayed by the chamber judge around 10:30pm, Jamil told the Dhaka Tribune that it was a signal from Allah.

Ten months ago, Molla, also known as the “Butcher of Mirpur,” made the very same gesture for victory, when the International Crimes Tribunal pronounced lifetime imprisonment for the crimes against humanity that he committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The Jamaat leader’s family members entered the prison only half an hour after State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said Molla would be executed by last night. They were told by the prison authorities in a letter to come and visit him by 8pm.

“Your husband has been given death penalty. He is now in the Dhaka Central

Hartal: Jamaat activist killed in Naogaon n Tribune Report

The birth of our banner n Sharafat Hussain For this Victory Day, Bangladesh prepares to break the world record for the largest human flag at the Army Parade Grounds, where more than 30,000 volunteers will stand and hold red or green placards.

We all know our beloved red and green.

But how many of us know the story?

On June 7, 1970, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was scheduled to attend a march past at the Paltan Maidan for election campaign.

The day before, student leaders gathered at the Zohurul Haque Hall of Dhaka University and decided to make a flag for him. Kazi Aref Ahmed proposed removing the crescent and star from the Pakistan flag, and replacing it with the red circle. He also suggested a yellow map of East Pakistan in the centre.

The idea was enthusiastically embraced by those present at the historic meeting, including ASM Abdur Rob, Shahjahan Siraj, Marshal Manirul Islam and Swapan Kumar Choudhury from Dhaka University; Nazrul Islam from Jagannath College; Comilla Chhatra League General Secretary and central leader Shib Narayan Das, Buet’s Chhatra League’s Hasanul Haq Inu and Yusuf Salauddin.

With a matchstick and yellow paint, Shib Narayan Das sketched the map on to the green and red.

Deep into the night, master tailor Khalek Mohammadi sewed the flag in his shop, located next to the Chhatra League office on the third floor of the Balaka Tower in the New Market area.

By dawn, the new flag was complete.

After independence, Quamrul Hassan redesigned it. The basic design remained the same, but the red circle took on a deeper significance as a representation of the bloody Liberation War. l Do you know: Who first hoisted the Bangladesh flag?

Email your answer to info@dhakatribune.com for a chance to win passes to the World’s Largest Human Flag on December 16, and see history in the making

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist was killed and 20 injured in a clash with local businessmen, backed by Awami League men, in Raninagar upazila of Naogaon yesterday.

The skirmish broke out when local businessmen and Awami League activists tried to prevent the Jamaat men from vandalising shops and vehicles from a procession which was brought out against the death warrant issued against their leader and war criminal Quader Mollah Five vehicles, including a motorcycle, and seven shops were vandalised by the Jamaat men during the clash at Abadpukur intersection around 4:30pm and lasted for over an hour.

Injured jamaat activist Shukbar Ali, 60, died on his way to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

OC of Raninagar police station Abdullah Al Masud said both groups used lethal weapons.

Apart from the Naogaon clash, the Jamaat enforced hartal and the fourth day of the BNP-led 18-party opposition combine’s countrywide blockade were marked by incidents such as attack on police and ambulance, arson, vandalism and clashes. A few incidents were reported in the capital as well.

Our correspondent in Rajshahi reported that Shibir men beat up three policemen including Motihar police station OC Abdul Majid and constables Miraz and Rezaul in the morning.

A passerby helps a policeman, left, injured in a sudden attack by Jamaat-Shibir activists in Rajshahi yesterday; Jamaat-Shibir activists DHAKA TRIBUNE swoop on two policemen, right, in Rajshahi during yesterday’s hartal in the district The incident happened when the police team went to the Binodpur Bazar area to bar a procession. The Shibir men snatched a shotgun from a constable and beat up the cops leaving one of Majid’s legs broken.

Later additional police rushed to the scene and rescued their injured colleagues. The firearm was found abandoned beside a road. A total of 19 Shibir men were picked in raids at different places in connection with the attack.

In Chapainawabganj, pickets vandalised an ambulance and beat up the patient and his relatives in the Koilabari area. Local people rescued them and took them to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical conditions.

In Natore, BNP-Jamaat men vandalised eight trucks on the Natore-Dhaka highway when they were passing the area under police protection. The marauding men also attacked police, vandalised a police van and injured a constable. The incident that took place around 12am, also left nine blockaders injured.

Almost at the same time, blockaders vandalised 22 fertilizer-laden trucks at Sheikh Para bazar under Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah.

In Sylhet, Shibir activists torched a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Shah-e Eidgah area and vandalised a truck and four auto-rickshaws in Majumdari and Kajolshah.

Police, meanwhile, have acquired

a list of financers of subversive activities after raiding a mess of Shibir at Dharshandewri in Sylhet city. A huge stack of jihadi books and leaflets were recovered from the place.

In Khulna, a BNP activist named Helal, 47, died in cardiac arrest while taking part in a procession at Khalishpur.

In Satkhira, a crude bomb blast on the house of union parishad level BNP leader Nur Mohammad left him injured late Monday night.

In the capital, two Sewachchasebok Dal men were arrested and awarded six months jail after they had been caught red handed with bombs soon after they blasted seven bombs at Armanitola in old Dhaka. l

Government to please public servants after polls Newly formed pay commission meets Muhith today of the salaries along with 20% Bank and four state-run banks was n Asif Showkat Kallol not possible under the polls-time dearness allowance for public servants The government is mulling over a plan to satisfy 13 lakh public servants after the general election as it has failed to announce a permanent pay scale.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith will hold a meeting with the newly formed pay and service commission today at his secretariat office to review the salaries of public servants within a short time, a senior official of the finance division said yesterday.

The official also said the government wants to give the public servants some kinds of assurance of implementing the new pay scale after the general election scheduled to be held on January 5.

The finance minister two days back said an announcement of separate pay scale for the employees of Bangladesh

government.

“It will violate the electoral code of conduct if the government announces the separate pay scale this time,” the minister also said.

The implementation wing of the finance ministry issued a circular on November 24 that said the newly formed pay and service commission would prepare a recommendation within six months.

Sources in the finance division said as the government is now in fund crisis with foreign assistances declining and revenue earning drying out due to hartal and back-to-back blockades it cannot provide maximum fund for the new pay scale.

The finance division has now allocated Tk17, 000 crore for payment

a year.

But the allocation will go beyond Tk20, 000 crore if the newly formed commission gives any allowance to the public servants, according to the finance division.

Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Mohammad Farashuddin, also the chairman of the pay commission, yesterday said the finance minister wanted to meet the chairman and member of newly formed commission today at his secretariat office as he gave some directives on recommendations of the new pay scale.

A 17-member commission was formed on November 24 comprised of three permanent and 12 temporary members. A joint secretary will act as the commission member

secretary and commission will start its operation from December 17 as per the circular.

On October 30, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the Pay and Services Commission (PSC) would examine the wage disparities and suggest ways to remove them.

On October 6, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a 20% increase in dearness allowance at flat rate for government employees which is an extra burden of Tk5000 crore in current fiscal year budget.

The government issued a gazette notification the next day granting the dearness allowance with retrospective effect from July 1.

The Seventh Pay Commission was formed in 2007 during the caretaker regime and public servants got a hike on July 1, 2009. l

Jail. Please come with your family by 8pm to meet him,” read the letter that was marked “very urgent.”

Molla’s Son Hasan Jamil confirmed receiving the letter.

A total of 23 members of the war criminal’s family including his son, four daughters, their husbands and his brother-in-law entered the prison, where they stayed for an hour or so.

When they came out of the jail around 8:56pm, Jamil termed the execution “political killing.”

He also said his father’s physical and mental conditions were completely stable and he had told them to not worry.

Ten months ago, Molla, also known as the “Butcher of Mirpur,” made the very same gesture for victory According to Jamil, Molla also told them: “I was your guardian until today.

Now God will take over the duty. This is your good fortune. I am facing this destiny only because of my involvement with Islamic movement.”

Jamil quoted his father as saying he would not have been hanged had he not been involved with the movement and those who had been trying to hand him by force would have to suffer. The “Islamic revolution” would take the “revenge.”

When asked about seeking presidential clemency, Molla said he thought he would get more time to think, said his daughter Parvin.

“But suddenly at night, the government decided to hang him. Now it does not mean anything to us. Father’s last word was: ‘by establishing an Islamic state, we will take revenge someday’,” Parvin said. l

Another Padma bridge deal signed n Mohosinul Karim The government yesterday signed a contract with the construction firm Abdul Monem Limited for the construction of the service area-2 at Jajira point of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Construction Project.

The firm will construct resort, reception buildings, supervision offices, 30 duplex houses, health centre, power sub-station etc under the project.

The construction work of the main bridge will start by next May or June, Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said at the contract signing.

“The government has already taken preparation to start the construction work. The tender documents will be received on December 19.”

The programme was held at Setu Bhabanin the city.

Project Director of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Construction Project Shafiqul Islam and Director of the Abdul Monem Limited Abid Habib signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations.

According to the contract, the construction firm will complete their work at the expense of TK2.09b by 912 days.

Bridge Division Secretary KhandakarAnwarul Islam and other high officials attended the programme. l

‘No promotion without exams’

n Rabiul Islam and Mushfique Wadud The government has no plan to give automatic promotion to school students without taking annual examinations despite the volatile political situation in the country, the education minister said yesterday. “Despite hurdles, we are determined to take all annual examinations and the students, guardians and teachers should not have any confusion,” Nurul Islam Nahid told reporters at his secretariat office. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

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Business

B2 IMF: FY14 tax collection to remain flat at 10.5% of GDP

B3 Stocks rally on hope for political solution

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

BTRC to sue six IGWs for dues Criminal cases will be filed against the operators which have ceased to operate and pay Tk613 crore n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is going to sue six international gateway operators which have ceased to operate and pay their outstanding Tk613 crore as revenue sharing amount plus annual licence fee.

Of the amount, the outstanding licence fees of these six operators total Tk45 crore.

Launched in October 2012, the six IGW operators have shared only Tk71.5 crore revenue with BTRC. Since October this year, the six IGW companies are not in operation.

According to IGW guideline, the operators are required to pay 51.75% of revenue to the telecom regulator. The guideline says the IGWs can earn 3 US cents per minute in incoming international calls.

BTRC said the total outstanding revenue sharing amount plus annual licence fees of all 29 IGW operators stand at Tk1,115 crore.

“We are preparing to file criminal cases against the directors and the owners of those six IGWs,” a high official of BTRC told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He added BTRC’s legal consultant firms have already given a report recommending to file criminal cases against the operators.

Apart from criminal cases, BTRC also

wants to sue the IGW companies under Public Demands Recovery Act (PDRA).

But the official said case under PDRA would be a lengthy process and that’s why the regulator would also file criminal cases.

Among the IGW operators, Vision Tel Ltd is the highest defaulter with Tk146.5 crore.

BTRC sends a recommendation today to the government to cancel licence of Vision Tel Ltd which didn’t pay Tk146.5 crore.

Earlier, the regulator also recommended cancelling licences of another two IGW companies. They are Telex Ltd and Ratul Telecom Ltd. Telex Ltd had not paid even a penny since its operation. The operators’ dues amount to Tk92.5 crore.

Ratul Telecom Ltd owes Tk96.5 crore to BTRC. Syeda Amrin Rakhi, daughter of former LGRD state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, has 50% stakes in Ratul Telecom.

Her mother Syeda Arzuman Banu has 20%

shares.

Former telecom minister Advocate Shahara Khatun “permitted” the operator to pay dues in instalments although the minister had no such authority.

The deadline of first instalment expired on November 30. BTRC allowed them another 25 days.

Ratul Telecom paid a total of Tk19 crore during past 15 months.

Kay Telecommunications Ltd, fully owned by ruling party leader Shamim Osman of Narayanganj, only paid Tk9 crore.

The company didn’t pay Tk91.5 crore.

Few days back, Shamim Osman reportedly managed to transfer his shares to another person. Bestec Telecom Ltd and Apple GlobalTel Com Ltd owe respectively Tk127.5 crore and Tk58.5 crore to BTRC. They paid only Tk6 crore and Tk9.5 crore respectively under revenue sharing guideline in last 15 months. l

Cabinet body okays imports of wheat and fertiliser n Tribune report Cabinet committee on public purchase approved proposals to import wheat and fertiliser.

In the meeting held yesterday, it also okayed a proposal of appointing a consultant for a railway project.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith chaired the meeting, also attended by Minister for Land, Relief and Disaster Management Amir Hossain Amu and Minister for Industries, Housing and Public Works Tofail Ahmed.

Food Ministry made the proposal of importing 50,000 tonnes of wheat.

Vitol Asia (pvt) Ltd will supply the bulk wheat at a cost of around Tk124 crore as the price was set at US$313.92 per tonne.

Industries Ministry proposed to import 50,000 tonnes of prilled urea fertiliser.

Of the bulk import, Desh Trading Corporation will supply 25,000 tonnes of fertiliser through Chittagong Port at a cost of Tk75.14 crore as the price was set at $383.40 per tonne.

The same company will supply the rest 25,000 tonnes of fertiliser through Mongla Port at a cost of Tk75.91 crore. The price of per tonne urea fertiliser was fixed at $387.30.

Railways Ministry made a proposal to appoint SMEC in joint venture Canrail as supervision consultant for Asian Development Bank-financed Railway Sector Development Project. l

RMG sector wants low cost loan to pay workers

Prolonged political unrest sends them to the verge of becoming sick industry owned commercial banks and insurance the sake of the RMG sector, even making low BGMEA President. n Tribune Report “If the businessmen took to the streets, companies in Dhaka yesterday, aimed at dis- profits. He said: “We will sit with the proposBangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has demanded low cost loans to pay wages for next four months as they were facing fund shortage due to failure of shipment caused by the political unrest.

The loans could be given through creating a special packing credit (PC), they said.

BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam demanded the loan for a period between November and February next to be adjusted by next two years.

He said textile, garments and backward linkage industry should not be classified in next two years from Q4 of 2013. He also appealed to block the term loan, project loan, loan against trustee receipt, Murabah Post Import (MPI) and installment without any interest for next two years.

Atiq made the appeal at a views exchange meeting with owners of private and state-

cussing the current scenario of RMG sector.

“Their demands are not unrealistic. If possible, I would do this for the sector,” said Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) President Nazrul Islam Mazumder. “But there are limitations as the bankers cannot do, what they want.”

The banks’ managing directors have lots of limitations as they cannot waive interest of a person or can make a person classified as there are some guidelines under which they are controlled, he added.

The BGMEA president said they would take decision after having meeting with the MDs and chairmen and if the finance ministry and Bangladesh Bank allow us to do that.

“We are becoming sick because of sick politics. Please, shun the confrontational politics and let us do business for the sake of the country.” FBCCI President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed urged banks to do everything for

al and try to do our best.”

“The problem is political unrest, which is going on since last year and it left everyone in trouble. It would be very tough to overcome the deadlock if we do not work together,” said former BGMEA President Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez.

Urging his fellow Parvez said “Come forward and give tremendous pressures to the political parties. We need political stability to do businesses,” he advised Atiq to mount pressure from the BGMEA. “We cannot negotiate prices with buyers and cannot produce products in the factory, but wages has been increased. How we pay the wages of the workers?”

The businessmen sought pledges from the political parties that they would avoid confrontational politics in future and the promise should be made in their election manifestoes, said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former

you (the politicians) would not get the chance to sit in the parliament,” said AKM Salim Osman, BKMEA President.

A garment owner demanded Bangladesh Bank to relax the guideline of loan classification for a certain period to give a cushion to the country’s readymade garment sector.

The apex trade body for the apparel sector also demanded insurance coverage from factory to Chittagong port and also urged the insurers to set a little charge as premium.

Meanwhile, a delegation from BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA is scheduled to meet Finance Minister AMA Muhith today to place their demands.

Earlier on Monday, Muhith sat with leaders of Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) to be informed about the banking sector and what the government banks could do to solve the RMG sector problems created due to the political unrest. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

prices rise IMF: FY14 tax collection to Oil in Asian trade remain flat at 10.5% of GDP n AFP, Singapore

Slow economic activities due to hartals and blockades may cause revenue shortfall n Asif Showkat Kallol International Monetary Fund has projected the tax-to-GDP ratio of Bangladesh would remain flat at about 10.50% in the current fiscal year due to slowing economy amidst hartal and ongoing back to back blockades for last couple of months.

“A slowing economy in hartal-related disruptions and political uncertainly contributed to lower than programmed tax revenue outturns for fiscal year 2012-2013. The tax revenues will be downward in relation to GDP despite these influences expected to unwind gradually,” according to a latest IMF review.

IMF released the report on safeguarding fiscal sustainability, marking the approval of the fourth instalment of Extended Credit Facility loans recently.

The government set a target to achieve a tax-GDP ratio of 14.2 % of GDP in the current fiscal year despite having the challenges of the political unrest and apparel factory collapse at Savar.

The IMF report says the ratio is projected to remain flat at about 10.5% between fiscal year 2011-12 and 2013-14, with a decline of revenue from import taxes of 0.4% of GDP offset by gains in income taxes, boosted by automation.

We will estimate the actual revenue earnings situation after December to see the magnitude of shortfall in the slow down economic activities during hartals and blockades The revenue ratio is projected to increase slightly in 2014-15 fiscal and then more decisively beyond the program period with the launch of VAT, it said.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials said the revenue board risks falling short of Tk10,000 crore to Tk13,000 crore from its revenue collection target set for the current fiscal year if the prevailing business situation does not improve due to back to back

blockade and normalcy returns to power the economy.

The gloomy outlook on revenue earnings for whole of 2013-14 fiscal has recently been apprised of the finance ministry by the NBR after the main revenue generator falling short of target by about Tk3,120 crore during July-October period, they said .

NBR Chairman Md Ghulam Hussain told Dhaka Tribune they would not be able to maintain the revenue growth at 16% from the last fiscal year due to political unrest and uncertainty.

“We will estimate the actual revenue earnings situation after December to see the magnitude of shortfall in the slow down economic activities during hartals and blockades,” he said.

The government set a revenue collection target of Tk136,090 crore for the current fiscal year from the NBR portion with highest Tk51,000 crore envisaged to be collected from VAT, Tk48,300 crore in income tax, Tk35,790 crore in customs duties and Tk1,000 crore in other taxes. l

JBL Recruitment test has been adjourned

Nesar Uddin passes away

Recruitment test of Probationary officer of Jamuna Bank Limited has been adjourned due to unavoidable circumstances. Examination date and time will be notified later. l

Standard Bank Ltd holds EC meeting The 1111th Meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Board of Directors (BOD) of Standard Bank Ltd (SBL) was held in the board room at the head office on December 7. The EC Chairman Alhaj Mohammad Shamsul Alam presided over the meeting. It was attended by Committee Members Kamal Mostafa Chowdhury, Ferozur Rahman, S A M Hossain, Mohammed Abdul Aziz & Gulzar Ahmed. Among others Managing Director Md Nazmus Salehin, DMD & Group Company Secretary A F M Nizamul Islam Chowdhury and DMD Mamun-Ur Rashid were also present in the meeting. l

Oil prices rebounded in Asian trade yesterday, with strong US economic data lifting investor sentiment, analysts said.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery, was up 32 cents at $97.66 a barrel in afternoon trade, while Brent North Sea crude for January rose 45 cents to $109.84.

“Crude oil continued to rally due to optimistic US economic data, which lifted markets,” Phillip Futures said in a commentary.

The US jobless rate fell sharply to a fiveyear-low of 7% in November and the economy generated 203,000 jobs - well above expectations - providing further evidence of the gathering strength of the world’s biggest economy.

Those upbeat numbers followed data showing the US economy grew at a speedy annual rate of 3.6% in the third quarter.

Phillip Futures said the results indicate demand in the world’s largest consumer of crude oil will lead to a pick-up in prices.

Other analysts said bargain-hunting had also helped bolster prices, which tumbled sharply the previous day.

Brent crude declined $2.22 in London trade Monday, weighed by weaker German industrial output. l

Airtel and Golden Harvest sign agreement

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) Assistant Vice President Nesar Uddin Ahmad died of liver cirrhosis and cancer on Monday (Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihe Raziun). He Joined IBBL in 1985 and was 53 at the time of departure. He left behind his wife, a son, a dauger and well wishers.

IBBL Chairman Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher and Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Mannan expressed deep sorrow at his death. They also condoled the bereaved family of the deceased. Doa Munazat was conducted at the head office and branches of the Bank praying for salvation of his departed soul. l

Airtel Bangladesh Limited has signed an agreement with Golden Harvest Group. During the signing ceremony, Chief Operating Officer of Airtel Bangladesh Limited Rajnish Kaul exchanged documents with Managing Director of Golden Harvest Group Ahmed Rajeeb Samdani.

Director of Golden Harvest Group Mohius

Samad Choudhury, Vice President Finance Nirmal Chandra Sardar, HR Manager Nusrat Rabbani and Head of Corporate and SME Sales of Airtel Bangladesh Ltd. Md. Adil Hossain, Manager Corporate Sales Md. Touhidul Islam, Key Account Manager Md. Tanvir Sadeque were also present during the signing ceremony. l

15th meeting of SIBL Securities Ltd (SIBLSL) was held at the board room of the bank recently.

SIBLSL chairman Abdul Awal Patwary Chaired the meeting. Board of directors were also present in the meeting

Mercantile Bank Limited (MBL) signed a ‘Term Sheet’ with IDLC Finance Limited Recently. Under the agreement, IDLC Finance Limited will act as ‘Arranger’ for issuing ‘Coupon Bearing Subordinated Bond’ worth Tk 3 Bn by MBL. MBL Managing Director & CEO M Ehsanul Haque and IDLC Finance Limited CEO & Managing Director Selim R F Hussain signed the Term Sheet on behalf of their respective organisations.

Among others, MBL AMD Monindra Kumar Nath, DMD M A Yousuf Khan, Md Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, Mohammad Masoom and IDLC Finance Ltd DGM Mesbah Uddin Ahmed were present on the occasion

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Stocks rally on hope for political solution n Tribune Report Stocks rose yesterday on growing hope for a political solution amid an initiative taken by the United Nations.

The rally was led by financial stocks that performed well than any other sectors on the day.

The benchmark DSEX rallied almost 40 points or 1% to close at 4,329, after edging lower over the previous session. The blue chip index DS30 added nearly 5 points or 0.4% to settle at 1,500.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Categories Index, CSCX, also gained 86 points to 8,500.

Trading activities continued to increase with total DSE turnover hitting Tk746 crore, highest in last two weeks and 15.2% higher over the previous session.

Soaring market capitalisation in the bank-

ing sector in the last hour of trading session has led the market to register positive return, said Lanka Bangla Securities in its analysis.

First two hours of trading was quite volatile as investors lacked direction of the market, but later jumped in the last hour of trading, it said. “Investors get queued up in buy side whenever there is a probability of a peaceful resolution between the two major political parties in near future.”

The visiting UN assistant secretary general for political affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco is trying to pursue political parties to reach in consensus over the national election scheduled for early January.

Positive export performance in spite of political turmoil fueled confidence among investors, according to IDLC Investment.

The market breadth also remained positive as out of 289 issues traded, 210 gained,

71 declined and 8 remained unchanged on the prime bourse.

Heavy weight banks and non-banking financial institutions ended 1.55% and 2.51% higher respectively. The largest exporting sector textile showed much enthusiasm, gaining more than 1%.

The other major sectors – pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, life insurance and power – closed in red.

Generation Next Fashions was the most traded stock of the session with a turnover of Tk400m changing hands.

Other turnover leaders were Paramount Textile, Golden Son, Golden Harvest Agro Industries Ltd, Delta Life Insurance, Lanka Bangla Finance, Central Pharmaceuticals, Argon Denim and RN Spinning.

The top three accounted for 13.4% of the total market turnover. l

Banks asked to maintain CRR, SLR separately n Tribune Report

Dollar up in Asia after Fed official’s stimulus hint

Bangladesh Bank has asked the scheduled banks to maintain cash reserve requirement (CRR) and statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) separately.

The banks will now have to report in a new prescribed format with effect from February 1 next year, said a circular.

The conventional banks have to maintain CRR at 13% on daily basis and for the Shariah-based Islamic banks at 5.5%.

Currently, the conventional banks maintain the SLR at 19%, including the CRR. On the other hand, the Shariah-based Islamic banks maintain 11.50% SLR including the CRR, as they cannot purchase any bonds and government-approved securities that involve receipt of interest. l

The dollar edged up in Asia yesterday, after big gains in New York as a Federal Reserve official hinted that the US central bank could announce a winding down of its stimulus programme as early as next week.

The greenback turned up to 103.30 yen in afternoon trading, against 103.28 yen in New York and well up from the levels around 103 yen earlier Monday in Tokyo.

The euro gained to $1.3756 from $1.3737 while it also rose to 142.08 yen from 141.89 yen in US trading.

Banks asked to report forex online n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has asked all authorised dealer banks in Bangladesh to report all types of their foreign exchange transactions on daily basis through web portal.

The central bank issued a circular yesterday, saying it has decided to incorporate two new fields namely fright charges and insurance expenses in the existing online import reporting module. The banks have been advised to report import transactions specifying FOB value, freight and insurance charges, if applicable, for import settlement from January 1, 2014 and onward.

This reporting procedure will be applicable against on CFR or other permissible terms requiring payment for goods together with freight and applicable insurance charges. l

n AFP, Tokyo

‘Markets are becoming increasingly accustomed to the idea of an imminent Fed tapering as reflected in ongoing gains in risk assets’

On Monday, James Bullard, the president of the Fed’s St. Louis branch, said in a speech that “a small taper” of the $85bn a month asset-purchase programme might be a possibility as policymakers wrestle with how to respond to signs of improvement in the world’s biggest economy.

A strong third-quarter growth report and surprisingly upbeat November jobs data last week boosted speculation the Fed may start reeling in the scheme after a policy meeting that ends next Wednesday.

The US unit has been rising for weeks on expectations of a pullback, which would reduce the number of dollars in the financial system, boosting demand.

“Markets are becoming increasingly accustomed to the idea of an imminent Fed tapering as reflected in ongoing gains in risk

assets,” Credit Agricole said, adding that Fed officials’ comments have “on balance supported the view of beginning tapering sooner rather than later”.

Strong Chinese economic data has helped boost confidence among investors who are looking to US retail sales report for November.

The yen has been under pressure after weak Japanese growth data on Monday boosted expectations that the Bank of Japan will launch another round of monetary easing to prop up the economy.

The euro has been notching up gains after the European Central Bank last week held off any new interest rate cuts despite prolonged low inflation.

That followed the ECB’s surprise cut last month of its central refinancing rate by a quarter-point to counter the threat of deflation.

“The euro has gained a reputation as an unsellable currency, with the currency continuing to hold its ‘Teflon’ coating,” Credit Agricole said.

However, it said an easier monetary policy at the ECB and soft economic growth compared with the United States suggested there would be some depreciation in the euro.

The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It weakened to 32.10 Thai baht from 32.14 baht the previous day, to 1,052.60 South Korean won from 1,053.35 won, and to Sg$1.2494 from Sg$1.2510.

The greenback strengthened to 61.22 Indian rupees from 61.04 rupees, to 11,990 Indonesian rupiah from 11,980 rupiah, to 44.29 Philippines pesos from 43.97 pesos, and to Tw$29.56 from Tw$29.55.

The Australian dollar was unchanged at 91.07 US cents, while the Chinese yuan bought 17.01 yen from 16.93 yen. l

3

BSEC okays IPO, rights offer n Tribune Report Matin Spinning Mills Ltd has got green signal from the securities regulator to raise Tk126 crore from the stock market.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) approved the textile company’s IPO (initial public offering) to expand its business and to meet expenses of IPO process, said the regulator in a statement yesterday.

It will issue Tk3.41 crore ordinary shares valued Tk37 each, including premium of Tk27. The company’s earnings per share stood at Tk3.43 and net asset value of Tk35.73, according to its financial statement as of June 30, 2013. IDLC Investment is serving as the issue manager.

It will be 33rd textile company to be listed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

The commission also approved a rights offer by Aramit Cement Ltd to issue more than 1.7 crore ordinary shares of Tk15 each, including Tk5, to raise over Tk25.5 crore from its investors. It offers one rights share for one existing share.

The raised money will be used for procurement of local spares, accessories, civil work, erection and commissioning, and repayment of bank’s term loan and other liabilities. l

3 companies fined for price manipulation n Tribune Report The securities regulator has fined three companies Tk23,00,000 for manipulating CVO Petro Chemical Refinery Limited scrips.

The scrips have been manipulated between April and August last when prices of those jumped by more than 100% to over Tk634 per share.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has found a bank, an issue management company and a brokerage firm indulged in influencing price hike of the scrips, said the regulator in a statement yesterday.

It said for playing role in abnormal share price hike of CVO Petro Chemical, Bangladesh Development Bank was fined Tk10,00,000, Prime Finance Capital Management Ltd Tk7,00,000 and PFI Securities Tk5,00,000.

The commission has also decided to appoint a chartered accountant firm to carry out a special audit of the company.

Share trading of the CVO Petro Chemical remained suspended since September 24 when the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) opened probe into the abnormal price hike in the low cap company’s stock.

The company reported a net profit after tax of Tk47,40,000 with earnings per share of Tk0.26 during January-March period.

On September 15, the BSEC had launched a probe against CVO Petrochemical and other low cap companies, including Mithun Knitting, Tallu Spinning, JMI Syringes and Medical Devices, Alhaj Textiles, Bangas, Modern Dyeing and Anawar Galvanising for the unusual hike of their share prices.

The BSEC investigative team has recently submitted their probe reports against those low cap companies’ unusual share price rise.

An official said the team found some institution involved with the price manipulation of the low cap companies. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Chinese investors look to mine Bitcoin volatility n AFP, Shanghai Chinese speculators have seen Bitcoin values plunge, soar and plunge again within days, but say the virtual currency’s extreme volatility is a profit opportunity despite the white-knuckle ride.

China is the world’s biggest market for trading Bitcoins, but around $5bn was wiped off the value of the currency’s global stock within an hour of an announcement from Beijing’s central bank in early December, banning financial institutions from dealing in it.

Exchange rates on BTCChina, the country’s biggest Bitcoin trading platform, slumped more than 35% from a recent high of 7,050 yuan (around $1,150), almost as much as an ounce of gold.

They climbed back above 6,000 yuan, until one of Chinese Internet giant Baidu’s websites said it would no longer accept the virtual currency as payment.

The following day Bitcoins were down to 3,821 yuan - before rising again to nudge 6,000 yuan yesterday.

“Prices are certainly volatile when it’s in the teeth of the storm, but such volatility will create short-term arbitrage opportunities,” Wei Zhicheng, a 27-year old Shanghai based investor, told AFP. He bought more of the virtual currency when the price fell. “Risks are peer to peer with opportunities,” he said.

Bitcoin was invented in the wake of the global financial crisis by a computer scientist using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto.

It is based on cryptography and only 21 million units can ever be created, which can be stored either virtually or on a user’s hard drive.

It offers a largely anonymous payment system with no centralised structure and

transactions are publicly logged in what is known as the “block chain”, with those who maintain it being paid in new units, a process known as “mining”.

Bitcoin has become a global phenomenon, with the price rising so much that a Norwegian man was able to buy an apartment with some of the 5,000 Bitcoins he bought for just $24 in 2009.

The explosive growth has raised alarm bells, with analysts warning of a potential crash due to a lack of fundamental underpinning.

“The trading of Bitcoin has already formed a bubble,” Ding Zhaoyong, a finance professor at Jilin University, told AFP. “The inventor did not pledge any assets to guarantee Bitcoin’s value, so when the bubble bursts, all you have left is just a string of useless numbers,” he said.

But Chinese buyers have piled into Bitcoins this year, driving the BTCChina price up from 82.29 yuan on January 1 to a high of 7,588.88 yuan on Nov 30, a 9,122% increase.

Chinese investors have a limited range of options for their money, with the authorities imposing restrictions on property purchases, historically poor returns from the domestic stock market, and low interest rates offered to savers.

At the same time the authorities retain significant control over the economy, and are unlikely to welcome the prospect of that being diluted by an independent currency.

Although the ruling Communist Party recently vowed that market forces will be allowed to “play a decisive role” in the future, tight capital controls remain in place, with the yuan currency not allowed to float freely against global counterparts.

In its announcement the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), the central bank, defined

Bobby Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of BTC China, China’s bitcoin exchange at his office in Shanghai Bitcoin as a “virtual commodity”, ruling out the possibility that it will gain legal status as currency.

It ordered financial institutions not to provide services and products related to Bitcoin - although it allowed individuals to trade it at their own risk.

The central bank also warned of dangers associated with Bitcoin trading, especially after media reported that three people had been detained for allegedly defrauding Bitcoin investors, leaving hundreds with more than 20m yuan in combined losses.

AFP

Nonetheless, BTCChina CEO Bobby Lee says that the e-money offers a new twist on investing for Chinese, known for conservatively investing their assets.

“China has been known as a nation of savers, people save for a rainy day,” the ex-Yahoo engineer told AFP. Bitcoin is “a global asset class” equal to common investment choices including gold, shares and real estate, he said.

“Bitcoin will go mainstream, I have full confidence. We hope to push this forward in China.” l

Bitcoin trade

Closing prices for the virtual currency US dollars

1,238

1 YEAR

Dec 4

Chinese yuan

2 MONTHS

Nov 18

804

Oct 13

Apr 9

13

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Source: Bitcoincharts.com, AFP

Oct 1

Jul 5

Dec 16, 2012 May

Jun

Jul

1,307

140

69

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov 30

5,888

Nov 18

768

230

7,395

920

2,388 Nov 9

Oct 23

Dec

Oct

Dec 10*

*As of 0400 GMT

Dec 9 Nov

5,665

Nov

Dec

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

5

WIPO: Global patent growth hits 18-year high n AFP, Geneva

A man walks past a light rail station under construction at the Orile-Iganmu district in Lagos

REUTERS

Big banks see rich opportunities in world’s poorest n Reuters When the Afghan government used mobile phones instead of cash to pay some of its policemen, the officers thought they’d just had a 30% pay rise. In truth, they had just been paid the full amount, with nothing skimmed off by middlemen, for the first time.

This anecdote from the US Agency for International Development shows how technological innovations such as mobile banking and biometrics have helped integrate more people in emerging markets into the formal financial system, opening up opportunities for banks willing to take a chance.

While the market for more affluent and business clients becomes saturated, providing the world’s poorest with access to financial products is an unmatched growth opportunity.

Half the world’s adults, over 2.5 billion people, do not have a formal bank account, according to the World Bank. In low-income economies it can be less than a quarter.

Many developing countries also offer banks the allure of a growing working-age population and an emerging middle class.

“Twenty years ago we spoke about the poor with a sense of futility, and I think now when you talk about the base of the pyramid, more often than not you’re talking about markets and opportunities,” said Michael Schlein, chief executive of Accion, a non-profit organization that invests in microfinance institutions and companies advancing financial inclusion.

Between 2010 and 2020, the world’s poorest 40% will nearly double their spending power to $5.8tn from $3tn, according to Accion’s Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI).

The idea of providing the world’s poorest with small loans was pioneered 30 years ago

by Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus and Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.

Microfinance grew into a global industry with a loan portfolio of $78bn in 2011, ac-

cording to data provider MIX Market, but it has come under fire for high interest rates and excessive credit expansion during the financial crisis.

Big banks, which suffered more than a little reputational damage of their own during the crisis, realized they needed to go beyond branch-based models to profitably reach such customers in a market traditionally reliant on cash.

“The competition and the saturation in those (developed) markets are getting higher and higher, so they have to look for the next wave, the next area of possible profitable ventures,” said Gerhard Coetzee, Senior Financial Sector Specialist at the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, a think-tank housed at the World Bank.

Citigroup (CN) launched a mobile payments scheme called Mobile Collect for small stores in the Dominican Republic earlier this year, while MasterCard teamed up with the Nigerian government in May to roll out 13 million national identity cards that double as electronic payment cards.

Compete or collaborate

Tapping the potential in the market of the unbanked requires alternative business models. Fragmentation makes it harder to achieve economies of scale, and banks also have to overcome the hurdles of poor communications infrastructure and the often non-existent credit history of many potential customers.

“Many banks think of the digitization opportunity around the world. There is, however, a constraint, which is the whole issue of infrastructure,” Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chief executive of Nigeria’s Access Bank, told a recent conference organized by the CFI. Another issue is competition. Banks’ biggest rivals are not their peers but rather mobile network operators and large retailers.

Coetzee says they face a difficult balancing act of rolling out competing products and collaborating to serve a bigger chunk of the

market.

Banks also need mobile network operators to allow their payment systems to work across rivals’ systems - a commonplace in developed banking markets - if they are to achieve scale.

M-Pesa, Safaricom’s successful mobile payment system in Kenya, benefited from the telecoms operator’s hefty market share to roll out its service, so it had an in-built advantage. But that doesn’t apply everywhere, Schlein said.

Bob Annibale, Global Director of Community Development and Microfinance at Citigroup, also highlighted the importance of integrating different payment systems.

“It is about that financial architecture ... The bank payment system also connects to the mobile payments system. If that becomes the norm, it’s a lot easier for us.”

But getting competitors to collaborate is not easy.

“If you’re waiting for the industry to come together and collaborate, it’s like asking the turkeys to vote for Christmas,” a participant said at the conference.

Clearing such obstacles could unlock huge rewards.

Barclays, which teamed up with NGOs Care International and Plan UK to form the Banking on Change partnership, connecting village savings groups with the formal financial system, estimated that $145bn - about a quarter of the Nigerian economy - could be injected into the global economy each year if all 2.5 billion of the unbanked were included in the scheme.

Tapping in to existing networks could be the key.

“Coca-Cola is consumed by everybody ... How difficult is it going to be for us to tag on payments, savings and so on around the value chain by which Coke is sold?” Aig-Imoukhuede said.

“Once you have scale ... I think it’s easy.” l

Global patent filings grew at their fastest pace in almost two decades in 2012, with China the driving force, the UN’s intellectual property agency said Monday.

In its annual report on patents, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) said the patent filings rose by 9.2% last year, representing the fastest growth in 18 years, reaching an estimated 2.35 million.

Filings had contracted by 3.9% in 2009, at the height of the financial crisis, but have been picking up pace since then, rising by 7.6% in 2010 and 8.1% in 2011.

“These are well in excess of the rate of growth worldwide of the global economy, and well in excess of most economies’ individual performances,” WIPO head Francis Gurry told reporters.

For the first time, residents of China accounted for the largest number of patents filed throughout the world, hitting a total of 560,681.

Residents of Japan ranked next, with 480,000 filings, followed by US residents, who filed 460,000.

“As a broad generalisation, patent applications tend to track economic performance,” Gurry explained.

“More specifically, China is still very much in a development mode, it is still developing its expertise in this area,” he said.

“So enormous investment in research and development, enormous investment in education, and investment in knowledge infrastructure are also being reflected in the take-up in the use of the intellectual property system,” he added.

With 652,777 filings, China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) last year logged the largest number of applications received by any single office, a position it first reached in 2011.

The figure included filings by Chinese residents as well as those by foreign firms and individuals seeking protection in China.

While two-thirds of the globe’s patent filings were made in high-income countries, China’s share of the total was almost 28% in 2012.

The US and Japan followed, with 23% and almost 15% respectively.

Overall, filings at China’s SIPO rose 24% in 2012, followed by New Zealand, where the growth rate was 14.3%.

Next came Mexico, with nine percent, the United States, on 7.8%, and Russia, which saw growth of 6.8%.

Brazil also posted solid patent filing growth, logging a five-percent increase, with fellow BRICS members India showing 3.9% growth and South Africa 2.7%.

Fortunes were mixed in Europe.

Filings grew by four% at the European Patent Office. The national offices of Germany and Britain also posted an expansion, of 3.2% and 4.4% respectively.

In contrast, filings in France fell by 0.7% and those in Italy by 4.2%. l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

DSEBroadIndex:4329.54⇑0.93%,Turnover:7460.54M.Tk⇑15.24%,PE:13.23 Turnover 8,307.00MTk.⇑14.83% 10 December2013 MarketCap.2,085.11BTk.⇑0.59% CSEAllShareIndex:13447⇑1.01%,Turnover:846.46MTk.⇑11.32%,PE:13.07 Combined Turnover Leader

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 650912 D: 27.70 ⇑ 1.47% | 27.24 | 28.50 / 25.80 C: 27.60 ⇑ 1.47% | 27.37 | 27.80 / 27.00 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 1015933 D: 21.10 ⇑ 1.93% | 20.96 | 22.00 / 19.00 C: 21.10 ⇑ 2.43% | 21.05 | 21.50 / 20.50 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 2255367 D: 34.80 ⇑ 4.19% | 34.29 | 35.30 / 31.00 C: 34.90 ⇑ 3.25% | 34.52 | 35.50 / 33.40 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 444627 D: 35.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 35.18 | 36.50 / 33.00 C: 35.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 35.00 | 35.50 / 34.90 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 2070666 D: 12.30 ⇑ 1.65% | 12.22 | 13.00 / 11.10 C: 12.30 ⇑ 1.65% | 12.23 | 12.50 / 12.00 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 200512 D: 32.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.22 | 33.20 / 30.00 C: 32.00 ⇑ 0.63% | 31.96 | 32.50 / 28.80 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 45200 D: 66.70 ⇑ 2.14% | 65.98 | 67.20 / 65.10 C: 68.00 ⇑ 1.34% | 66.37 | 69.00 / 65.00 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 4669289 D: 25.00 ⇑ 2.04% | 24.86 | 25.60 / 22.50 C: 25.20 ⇑ 2.44% | 24.99 | 25.50 / 24.50 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 542205 D: 32.30 ⇑ 2.54% | 31.94 | 32.70 / 28.50 C: 32.00 ⇑ 2.24% | 31.87 | 32.60 / 31.00 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 171000 D: 6.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.78 | 6.90 / 6.70 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 64180 D: 28.90 ⇑ 1.05% | 28.90 | 29.00 / 26.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.80 | 29.00 / 28.40 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 3826352 D: 20.30 ⇑ 3.57% | 20.04 | 21.00 / 18.00 C: 20.40 ⇑ 3.55% | 20.16 | 20.80 / 19.40 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 118121 D: 24.30 ⇑ 1.25% | 24.22 | 24.80 / 23.00 C: 23.90 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.82 | 24.50 / 23.70 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 1128262 D: 18.60 ⇑ 2.20% | 18.31 | 20.00 / 16.50 C: 18.40 ⇑ 0.55% | 18.34 | 18.80 / 18.00 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 148916 D: 19.40 ⇑ 2.11% | 19.30 | 19.50 / 18.00 C: 18.90 ⇑ 0.53% | 18.92 | 19.30 / 18.70 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 1209077 D: 13.90 ⇑ 1.46% | 13.86 | 14.10 / 13.00 C: 14.00 ⇑ 1.45% | 13.91 | 14.20 / 13.70 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 1213191 D: 13.50 ⇑ 2.27% | 13.49 | 14.00 / 12.00 C: 13.60 ⇑ 0.74% | 13.52 | 13.90 / 12.50 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 44000 D: 99.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 99.43 | 100.0 / 99.00 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 217550 D: 16.20 ⇑ 0.62% | 16.30 | 16.50 / 15.10 C: 16.60 ⇑ 7.10% | 16.37 | 16.60 / 15.60 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 682332 D: 15.30 ⇑ 2.00% | 15.33 | 16.00 / 13.50 C: 15.20 ⇑ 1.33% | 15.20 | 15.50 / 14.90 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 2105312 D: 16.90 ⇑ 3.05% | 16.82 | 17.20 / 15.00 C: 17.00 ⇑ 3.66% | 16.89 | 17.20 / 16.50 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 784952 D: 19.60 ⇑ 2.08% | 19.53 | 20.00 / 17.30 C: 19.40 ⇑ 2.65% | 19.27 | 19.70 / 18.90 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 3081735 D: 16.60 ⇑ 2.47% | 16.53 | 17.00 / 15.00 C: 16.80 ⇑ 2.44% | 16.76 | 17.10 / 16.20 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 1233626 D: 12.70 ⇑ 0.79% | 12.60 | 13.00 / 11.50 C: 12.80 ⇑ 1.59% | 12.71 | 13.00 / 12.40 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 340037 D: 16.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.66 | 17.00 / 15.20 C: 16.50 ⇑ 1.23% | 16.45 | 16.80 / 16.20 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 646464 D: 32.00 ⇑ 1.27% | 31.97 | 33.00 / 29.00 C: 31.60 ⇑ 0.32% | 32.20 | 32.60 / 31.60 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 1187090 D: 17.30 ⇑ 1.76% | 17.11 | 18.10 / 15.50 C: 17.40 ⇑ 1.16% | 17.29 | 17.60 / 17.00 PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 791023 D: 11.80 ⇑ 2.61% | 11.74 | 12.00 / 10.50 C: 11.80 ⇑ 2.61% | 11.72 | 11.90 / 11.50

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P

5.27

35.29

Generation Next Fashions-A

12409040

437.90

Paramount Textile Ltd.-N

4793500

333.15

5556926

309.87

Golden Son -A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

Vol.

G Harvest Agro-N

5609080

Delta Life Insu. -A

895510

4.01 3.73

DSE Gainer Samata Leather-Z

69.50 55.76

C%

A%

CP

Pharma Aids-A

DSE Loser

-4.78

-4.05

171.40

-4.37

-4.33

115.90

Monno Ceramic -B

9.88

9.14

37.80

Progressive Life-A BD Building Systems -N

-4.13

-2.28

74.20

9.87

13.51

84.60

3rd ICB M F-A

-3.95

-3.95

192.10

9.83

7.91

25.70

EBL NRB M.F.-A

-3.80

-4.28

7.60

283.10

3.41

50.47

3.01

279.24

Salvo Chemicals-B

INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 350 D: 261.3 ⇓ 1.62% | 260.00 | 262.0 / 260.1 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 250 D: 192.1 ⇓ 3.95% | 192.10 | 192.1 / 192.1 4THICB | 29.24 | 229.24 | Vol. 100 D: 186.5 ⇓ 0.90% | 186.50 | 186.5 / 186.5 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 11000 D: 53.30 ⇑ 0.19% | 53.36 | 53.80 / 53.20 8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 2500 D: 53.20 ⇓ 0.37% | 53.20 | 53.30 / 53.20

CP 22.00

9.91

250.06

NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 309360 D: 62.30 ⇑ 2.13% | 62.32 | 65.00 / 56.00 C: 62.90 ⇑ 2.44% | 62.03 | 63.00 / 60.80 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 281591 D: 30.20 ⇑ 3.78% | 30.03 | 30.40 / 27.50 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 146304 D: 81.50 ⇑ 1.24% | 81.28 | 84.00 / 76.00 C: 81.90 ⇑ 1.99% | 81.29 | 82.00 / 80.00 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 13500 D: 29.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 29.41 | 30.00 / 29.00 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 3612368 D: 33.30 ⇑ 7.77% | 32.61 | 33.50 / 28.70 C: 33.40 ⇑ 7.74% | 32.57 | 33.50 / 31.50 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 1474068 D: 24.80 ⇑ 5.08% | 24.57 | 25.00 / 22.00 C: 24.80 ⇑ 5.08% | 24.46 | 24.90 / 23.80 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 629089 D: 25.70 ⇑ 4.47% | 25.58 | 27.00 / 22.60 C: 25.80 ⇑ 4.88% | 25.55 | 26.00 / 24.90 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 384500 D: 10.10 ⇑ 1.00% | 10.22 | 10.40 / 10.00 C: 10.10 ⇑ 1.00% | 10.15 | 10.40 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 1058273 D: 17.50 ⇑ 4.79% | 17.44 | 17.70 / 15.50 C: 17.50 ⇑ 4.17% | 17.47 | 17.70 / 17.00 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 3058813 D: 61.50 ⇑ 7.89% | 60.09 | 62.10 / 52.00 C: 61.20 ⇑ 7.18% | 59.87 | 61.50 / 58.40 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 392016 D: 17.20 ⇑ 6.83% | 17.02 | 17.50 / 15.10 C: 17.50 ⇑ 9.38% | 17.13 | 17.50 / 16.30 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 171295 D: 19.00 ⇑ 3.26% | 18.95 | 19.20 / 18.00 C: 19.30 ⇑ 4.89% | 18.89 | 19.30 / 18.40 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 88647 D: 29.00 ⇑ 3.57% | 28.77 | 29.40 / 27.00 C: 29.00 ⇑ 5.45% | 29.06 | 29.30 / 27.60 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 407472 D: 19.50 ⇑ 3.17% | 19.32 | 19.60 / 18.00 C: 19.50 ⇑ 4.84% | 19.26 | 19.50 / 18.60 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 1070530 D: 15.40 ⇑ 6.21% | 15.16 | 15.50 / 13.10 C: 15.50 ⇑ 6.16% | 15.22 | 15.70 / 14.70 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 798432 D: 34.80 ⇑ 3.88% | 34.54 | 35.10 / 30.20 C: 35.00 ⇑ 5.42% | 34.65 | 35.00 / 33.00 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 1168501 D: 14.50 ⇑ 5.07% | 14.31 | 14.60 / 13.00 C: 14.70 ⇑ 5.76% | 14.43 | 14.80 / 13.90 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 58540 D: 55.80 ⇑ 1.82% | 55.57 | 56.10 / 52.00 C: 56.50 ⇑ 1.07% | 56.17 | 56.50 / 56.50 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 363623 D: 30.90 ⇑ 1.31% | 31.08 | 31.50 / 30.00 C: 31.40 ⇑ 1.62% | 31.19 | 31.50 / 30.10 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 571328 D: 30.10 ⇑ 5.24% | 29.82 | 30.50 / 26.00 C: 30.30 ⇑ 5.57% | 30.00 | 30.50 / 29.30 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 10050 D: 1537 ⇑ 0.23% | 1535 | 1550 / 1520 C: 1550 ⇓ 0.64% | 1550 | 1550 / 1550 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 361817 D: 27.00 ⇑ 3.45% | 26.89 | 27.40 / 24.00 C: 27.20 ⇑ 3.82% | 27.00 | 27.50 / 26.50 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 3973000 D: 15.30 ⇑ 9.29% | 14.93 | 15.40 / 14.10 C: 15.50 ⇑ 9.93% | 14.98 | 15.50 / 14.20

A%

Delta Spinners-A

Rahima Food -A

TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 1258915 D: 22.20 ⇑ 5.71% | 22.07 | 22.80 / 20.00 C: 22.50 ⇑ 7.14% | 22.04 | 22.90 / 21.40 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 2057150 D: 16.00 ⇑ 3.23% | 15.86 | 16.50 / 14.00 C: 16.30 ⇑ 6.54% | 15.99 | 16.70 / 15.10

C%

10.00 10.00 10.86

AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 379050 D: 39.50 ⇑ 1.80% | 39.70 | 40.00 / 38.80 C: 39.40 ⇑ 2.34% | 39.53 | 40.00 / 39.10 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 56000 D: 18.40 ⇑ 2.22% | 18.43 | 18.80 / 18.10 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 537000 D: 44.90 ⇑ 2.28% | 45.02 | 45.60 / 42.00 C: 45.10 ⇑ 2.27% | 45.41 | 46.30 / 44.50 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 13000 D: 25.30 ⇓ 0.39% | 25.28 | 25.50 / 25.20 C: 25.00 ⇓ 6.72% | 25.00 | 25.00 / 25.00 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 229500 D: 9.90 ⇑ 1.02% | 9.96 | 10.10 / 9.90 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 2045000 D: 17.00 ⇑ 3.03% | 17.10 | 17.30 / 15.00 C: 17.10 ⇑ 3.64% | 17.08 | 17.40 / 15.00 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 2347500 D: 26.40 ⇑ 9.54% | 26.18 | 26.50 / 24.50 C: 26.00 ⇑ 7.88% | 26.04 | 26.50 / 25.50 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 435871 D: 7.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.22 | 7.30 / 6.90 C: 7.20 ⇑ 1.41% | 7.13 | 7.30 / 6.60 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 55000 D: 6.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 6.00 | 6.10 / 6.00 C: 6.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.98 | 6.00 / 5.80 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 42500 D: 6.00 ⇑ 1.69% | 6.06 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.20 ⇑ 5.08% | 6.11 | 6.20 / 5.90 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 843217 D: 7.50 ⇑ 2.74% | 7.50 | 7.70 / 6.90 C: 7.60 ⇑ 2.70% | 7.56 | 7.60 / 7.40 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 881500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 7.41% | 5.75 | 5.90 / 5.50 C: 5.90 ⇑ 5.36% | 5.85 | 5.90 / 5.80 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 830500 D: 5.90 ⇑ 5.36% | 5.91 | 6.00 / 5.60 C: 5.90 ⇑ 3.51% | 5.81 | 5.90 / 5.60 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 626587 D: 6.80 ⇑ 3.03% | 6.77 | 7.00 / 6.20 C: 6.80 ⇑ 1.49% | 6.73 | 6.80 / 6.70 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 282000 D: 5.70 ⇑ 3.64% | 5.74 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇑ 1.82% | 5.63 | 5.70 / 5.50 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 196000 D: 5.40 ⇑ 3.85% | 5.40 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.40 ⇑ 1.89% | 5.38 | 5.40 / 5.20 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 362500 D: 6.10 ⇓ 1.61% | 6.19 | 6.40 / 6.10 C: 6.20 ⇑ 1.64% | 6.12 | 6.20 / 6.00 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 189500 D: 5.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 5.50 | 5.60 / 5.40 C: 5.50 ⇑ 1.85% | 5.50 | 5.50 / 5.40 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 989971 D: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.29 | 6.40 / 5.70 C: 6.40 ⇑ 4.92% | 6.32 | 6.50 / 6.10 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 281000 D: 5.80 ⇑ 1.75% | 5.85 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.75 | 5.80 / 5.70 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 1385500 D: 5.80 ⇑ 5.45% | 5.72 | 5.90 / 5.60 C: 5.70 ⇑ 1.79% | 5.72 | 5.80 / 5.60 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 32000 D: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.10 | 7.20 / 7.00 C: 7.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 7.00 | 7.00 / 7.00 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 80500 D: 6.30 ⇑ 1.61% | 6.30 | 6.40 / 6.20 C: 6.30 ⇑ 3.28% | 6.30 | 6.30 / 6.30 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 635300 D: 8.10 ⇑ 2.53% | 8.11 | 8.20 / 7.70 C: 8.00 ⇑ 1.27% | 8.08 | 8.20 / 8.00 EBLNRBMF | 1.07 | 10.88 | Vol. 2500 D: 7.60 ⇓ 3.80% | 7.60 | 7.60 / 7.60 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 721850 D: 8.70 ⇑ 3.57% | 8.69 | 8.90 / 8.00 C: 8.80 ⇑ 3.53% | 8.70 | 8.80 / 8.60 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.45 | 10.78 | Vol. 157134 D: 6.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.80 | 7.00 / 6.70 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 802500 D: 7.20 ⇓ 1.37% | 7.33 | 7.50 / 7.20 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 566500 D: 9.20 ⇑ 1.10% | 9.26 | 9.50 / 9.10 C: 9.20 ⇑ 1.10% | 9.15 | 9.30 / 8.50 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 5000 D: 9.10 ⇑ 1.11% | 9.20 | 9.20 / 9.10 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 22000 D: 8.30 ⇑ 2.47% | 8.32 | 8.40 / 8.20

36.60

ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 373500 D: 8.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.22 | 8.40 / 8.10 C: 8.10 ⇑ 1.25% | 8.18 | 8.30 / 8.00 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 3.60 | 50.81 | Vol. 584032 D: 93.80 ⇑ 0.11% | 94.28 | 95.30 / 90.00 C: 93.80 ⇓ 0.64% | 94.01 | 95.40 / 93.00 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 57000 D: 22.90 ⇑ 9.57% | 22.85 | 22.90 / 21.40 C: 23.50 ⇑ 9.81% | 23.49 | 23.50 / 23.40 OLYMPIC | 5.23 | 14.73 | Vol. 420195 D: 157.3 ⇑ 3.35% | 156.63 | 159.5 / 148.0 C: 155.7 ⇑ 1.70% | 155.74 | 158.0 / 152.5 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 16950 D: 133.3 ⇓ 1.11% | 134.11 | 136.2 / 132.4 C: 133.0 ⇓ 2.71% | 133.35 | 134.1 / 132.5 ECABLES | 6.10 | 23.97 | Vol. 10900 D: 99.40 ⇓ 0.50% | 100.14 | 104.8 / 99.00 C: 92.60 ⇓ 7.31% | 96.47 | 99.90 / 100.0 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 3900 D: 330.4 ⇑ 7.24% | 327.69 | 333.9 / 318.0 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 94436 D: 194.9 ⇓ 0.56% | 195.21 | 196.4 / 185.0 C: 193.4 ⇓ 1.18% | 193.72 | 195.0 / 193.0 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 21450 D: 162.5 ⇓ 0.06% | 162.00 | 164.0 / 161.4 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 142754 D: 38.30 ⇑ 4.36% | 38.21 | 39.50 / 35.00 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 726645 D: 37.00 ⇑ 2.78% | 37.09 | 37.70 / 32.50 C: 37.00 ⇑ 2.78% | 37.24 | 37.90 / 36.80 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 15300 D: 145.6 ⇓ 0.21% | 145.56 | 149.0 / 144.0 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 49300 D: 75.00 ⇓ 0.79% | 74.77 | 76.40 / 74.00 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 1421285 D: 32.20 ⇑ 4.89% | 31.90 | 32.50 / 28.70 C: 32.70 ⇑ 5.83% | 32.20 | 33.00 / 30.90 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 461000 D: 32.40 ⇓ 2.70% | 34.11 | 35.30 / 32.00 C: 32.90 ⇓ 1.20% | 33.82 | 35.00 / 32.80 KAY&QUE | -3.89 | 6.03 | Vol. 66600 D: 19.20 ⇑ 9.09% | 19.23 | 19.30 / 18.30 C: 19.10 ⇑ 9.77% | 19.10 | 19.10 / 19.10 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 82000 D: 93.90 ⇓ 2.29% | 96.14 | 99.50 / 92.00 C: 94.30 ⇓ 3.48% | 96.72 | 98.00 / 100.9 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 1015040 D: 46.40 ⇑ 4.50% | 45.48 | 47.00 / 44.00 C: 46.30 ⇑ 3.81% | 45.66 | 47.00 / 44.90 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 5556926 D: 56.70 ⇑ 7.18% | 55.75 | 56.90 / 50.00 C: 56.90 ⇑ 7.16% | 55.91 | 57.30 / 53.50 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 386064 D: 72.10 ⇓ 0.83% | 72.70 | 75.00 / 68.00 C: 72.30 ⇓ 0.82% | 72.68 | 74.00 / 72.00 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 304299 D: 65.90 ⇑ 0.15% | 65.40 | 66.50 / 60.00 C: 65.90 ⇓ 0.60% | 66.01 | 67.00 / 65.50 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 2062261 D: 22.80 ⇑ 9.62% | 22.17 | 22.80 / 20.00 C: 22.90 ⇑ 9.57% | 22.31 | 22.90 / 21.00 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 1165150 D: 59.40 ⇑ 2.95% | 60.18 | 61.80 / 53.00 C: 59.00 ⇑ 1.20% | 60.07 | 61.90 / 58.70 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 1589400 D: 64.60 ⇓ 3.58% | 66.47 | 68.60 / 64.20 C: 64.70 ⇓ 3.14% | 66.26 | 69.40 / 64.00 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 1819500 D: 74.20 ⇓ 4.13% | 76.75 | 79.20 / 73.00 C: 74.10 ⇓ 4.63% | 76.91 | 79.90 / 72.00 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 316200 D: 60.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 61.26 | 62.40 / 59.60 C: 59.10 ⇓ 2.31% | 60.07 | 61.30 / 58.50 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 55800 D: 91.90 ⇓ 0.22% | 91.67 | 93.50 / 91.00 C: 91.30 ⇓ 1.40% | 92.98 | 96.00 / 91.00 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 65526 D: 466.0 ⇓ 1.67% | 468.12 | 475.0 / 438.0 C: 466.3 ⇓ 2.35% | 468.02 | 477.0 / 465.5 BATBC | 65.69 | 117.22 | Vol. 600 D: 1662 ⇓ 0.02% | 1662 | 1670 / 1658 C: 1700 ⇑ 3.03% | 1700 | 1700 / 1700

GEMINISEA | -15.39 | -5.70 | Vol. 2800 D: 153.9 ⇓ 0.90% | 153.93 | 157.0 / 152.5 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 500 D: 815.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 815.00 | 815.0 / 815.0 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 64800 D: 191.1 ⇓ 1.80% | 192.50 | 196.7 / 190.0 C: 191.1 ⇓ 0.98% | 192.83 | 197.9 / 190.5 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 1700 D: 7.40 ⇑ 7.25% | 7.65 | 7.50 / 7.40 RAHIMAFOOD | 0.52 | 4.45 | Vol. 662870 D: 84.60 ⇑ 9.87% | 83.17 | 84.70 / 79.50 C: 85.00 ⇑ 9.82% | 83.46 | 85.10 / 80.00 FUWANGFOOD | 0.94 | 12.28 | Vol. 1453690 D: 24.30 ⇑ 3.40% | 24.36 | 24.80 / 23.00 C: 24.70 ⇑ 4.22% | 24.50 | 24.80 / 24.00 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 51000 D: 6.90 ⇑ 2.99% | 6.92 | 7.10 / 6.50 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 117500 D: 7.60 ⇑ 8.57% | 7.57 | 7.70 / 7.00 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 3255263 D: 27.10 ⇑ 9.72% | 26.72 | 27.10 / 23.00 C: 27.50 ⇑ 10.00% | 27.15 | 27.50 / 22.60 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 1048028 D: 25.40 ⇑ 9.48% | 24.80 | 25.50 / 22.20 C: 25.40 ⇑ 9.96% | 24.93 | 25.40 / 23.40 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 3299321 D: 26.50 ⇑ 3.92% | 26.19 | 27.00 / 24.00 C: 26.90 ⇑ 5.49% | 26.51 | 27.00 / 25.50 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 5609080 D: 50.20 ⇑ 3.29% | 50.45 | 51.80 / 45.00 C: 50.90 ⇑ 3.46% | 50.69 | 51.80 / 49.80 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 10350 D: 638.1 ⇑ 0.28% | 637.87 | 644.9 / 635.5 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 160753 D: 315.9 ⇓ 0.69% | 317.59 | 322.3 / 305.0 C: 316.7 ⇓ 0.38% | 317.75 | 320.0 / 314.1 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 450 D: 331.8 ⇑ 1.62% | 331.11 | 335.0 / 330.0 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 2068473 D: 24.60 ⇑ 5.58% | 24.85 | 25.50 / 22.30 C: 24.80 ⇑ 5.53% | 24.87 | 25.40 / 23.90 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 964715 D: 38.50 ⇑ 0.26% | 38.80 | 41.90 / 35.00 C: 38.60 ⇓ 0.26% | 38.85 | 39.40 / 38.50 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 245100 D: 59.80 ⇑ 0.34% | 59.77 | 60.10 / 58.00 C: 59.80 ⇓ 0.17% | 60.68 | 63.30 / 59.30 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 160454 D: 54.40 ⇓ 0.55% | 54.60 | 55.50 / 52.00 C: 53.40 ⇓ 0.56% | 53.42 | 54.00 / 53.00 JAMUNAOIL | 19.83 | 57.32 | Vol. 390080 D: 205.0 ⇓ 1.16% | 206.21 | 209.5 / 201.0 C: 205.9 ⇓ 0.39% | 205.97 | 209.9 / 204.0 MPETROLEUM | 21.34 | 59.26 | Vol. 425807 D: 220.9 ⇓ 0.81% | 222.46 | 225.3 / 215.0 C: 221.5 ⇓ 0.63% | 223.57 | 232.0 / 220.0 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 335125 D: 73.90 ⇓ 0.14% | 74.01 | 74.60 / 70.00 C: 74.10 ⇑ 0.14% | 74.17 | 75.70 / 73.60 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 238952 D: 50.10 ⇑ 1.42% | 50.14 | 50.70 / 47.00 C: 49.70 ⇑ 0.40% | 49.80 | 50.20 / 49.50 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 3575857 D: 34.60 ⇑ 4.85% | 34.12 | 36.00 / 30.00 C: 34.70 ⇑ 5.15% | 34.50 | 35.00 / 33.10 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 180401 D: 75.90 ⇑ 0.40% | 75.72 | 76.20 / 70.00 C: 75.70 ⇑ 0.80% | 75.27 | 76.00 / 73.10 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 2339053 D: 31.10 ⇑ 3.67% | 31.03 | 32.00 / 27.00 C: 31.20 ⇑ 5.41% | 31.07 | 31.80 / 29.90 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 1426450 D: 62.50 ⇓ 0.79% | 63.11 | 64.50 / 59.00 C: 62.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 63.29 | 64.50 / 62.10 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 10950 D: 83.30 ⇓ 1.30% | 84.47 | 86.90 / 83.00 SONALIANSH | 2.65 | 226.00 | Vol. 50850 D: 151.5 ⇓ 3.01% | 153.24 | 156.5 / 151.0 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 91645 D: 76.00 ⇓ 0.65% | 76.85 | 78.80 / 73.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 8900 D: 260.5 ⇓ 3.38% | 261.35 | 270.2 / 252.3

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

December 10, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 38,010.66 ⇑ 1.52% NBFI: 21,608.49 ⇑ 4.75% INVS: 4,884.18 ⇑ 1.64% ENGG: 6,613.87 ⇑ 0.77% FOOD: 10,470.78 ⇑ 1.75% F&P: 10,306.90 ⇑ 0.13% TEXT: 3,704.13 ⇑ 0.85% PHAR: 18,367.42 ⇓ 0.17% PAPR: 1,286.05 ⇑ 4.89% SERV: 3,031.69 ⇑ 0.42% LEAT: 5,431.52 ⇑ 1.31% CERA: 547.08 ⇑ 1.69% CMNT: 4,323.42 ⇓ 0.98% INFO: 8,297.54 ⇑ 5.71% GINS: 9,138.49 ⇓ 0.02% LINS: 124,368.62 ⇓ 0.69% TELC: 1,350.81 ⇓ 0.33% MISC: 6,644.80 ⇑ 1.64% SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 633500 D: 28.70 ⇑ 1.41% | 28.80 | 29.20 / 28.40 C: 28.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.56 | 29.00 / 28.20 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 1850 D: 104.5 ⇑ 2.75% | 104.32 | 106.0 / 101.1 DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 58100 D: 74.00 ⇑ 2.64% | 75.71 | 77.30 / 73.20 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 23300 D: 7.90 ⇑ 3.95% | 7.90 | 8.10 / 7.70 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 2126980 D: 37.60 ⇑ 0.53% | 37.71 | 38.40 / 34.50 C: 37.60 ⇓ 0.27% | 37.78 | 38.30 / 36.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 14000 D: 72.60 ⇓ 2.02% | 72.86 | 74.40 / 70.30 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 153800 D: 79.10 ⇓ 0.75% | 79.54 | 83.00 / 73.50 C: 79.00 ⇓ 1.86% | 79.71 | 81.00 / 78.50 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 953400 D: 36.60 ⇑ 9.91% | 36.33 | 36.60 / 33.00 C: 36.50 ⇑ 9.94% | 36.12 | 36.50 / 34.60 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 751584 D: 21.30 ⇑ 4.93% | 21.35 | 22.00 / 18.30 C: 21.10 ⇑ 3.43% | 21.47 | 22.10 / 20.50 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 498500 D: 26.60 ⇑ 1.14% | 26.86 | 27.40 / 26.40 C: 26.70 ⇑ 2.30% | 27.09 | 27.70 / 26.40 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 152000 D: 7.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.45 | 7.50 / 7.40 C: 7.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.52 | 7.60 / 7.50 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 782500 D: 30.40 ⇑ 9.35% | 29.73 | 30.50 / 27.80 C: 31.00 ⇑ 9.93% | 30.47 | 31.00 / 28.00 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 877165 D: 47.00 ⇑ 6.58% | 46.30 | 48.50 / 43.60 C: 47.40 ⇑ 7.00% | 47.45 | 48.60 / 44.40 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 2660480 D: 33.00 ⇑ 1.54% | 33.25 | 34.00 / 29.90 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 1134450 D: 28.80 ⇑ 5.11% | 29.02 | 30.10 / 25.50 C: 28.70 ⇑ 4.36% | 28.74 | 30.00 / 27.90 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 89217 D: 92.70 ⇑ 0.22% | 92.62 | 93.50 / 92.20 C: 92.90 ⇓ 0.96% | 93.01 | 93.70 / 92.90 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1050973 D: 21.60 ⇑ 0.93% | 21.86 | 22.40 / 20.00 C: 21.80 ⇑ 0.93% | 21.78 | 22.20 / 20.00 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 5672800 D: 20.40 ⇑ 0.49% | 20.61 | 21.00 / 18.50 C: 20.60 ⇑ 0.98% | 20.67 | 21.30 / 20.20 DACCADYE | 0.93 | 25.85 | Vol. 961044 D: 25.60 ⇑ 2.81% | 25.48 | 25.80 / 23.00 C: 25.70 ⇑ 2.80% | 25.58 | 26.10 / 24.80 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 4560074 D: 36.30 ⇑ 0.28% | 36.45 | 36.90 / 33.00 C: 36.40 ⇑ 0.28% | 36.50 | 37.00 / 36.00 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 753710 D: 17.20 ⇑ 2.38% | 17.21 | 17.50 / 15.50 C: 17.30 ⇑ 2.37% | 17.24 | 17.50 / 17.00 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 2342495 D: 28.30 ⇑ 0.35% | 28.64 | 30.00 / 26.00 C: 28.40 ⇑ 0.35% | 28.43 | 29.00 / 28.10 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 826100 D: 28.80 ⇑ 1.77% | 28.79 | 29.20 / 28.10 C: 28.50 ⇑ 0.71% | 28.81 | 29.20 / 28.20 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 1370250 D: 24.60 ⇑ 1.65% | 24.76 | 25.00 / 24.50 C: 24.80 ⇑ 1.22% | 24.79 | 25.10 / 24.30 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 12409040 D: 35.50 ⇑ 1.72% | 35.27 | 36.20 / 32.00 C: 35.90 ⇑ 2.57% | 35.52 | 36.20 / 32.20 ENVOYTEX | 3.10 | 37.86 | Vol. 1668660 D: 56.20 ⇓ 0.18% | 56.38 | 58.50 / 51.00 C: 56.20 ⇓ 0.88% | 56.46 | 57.40 / 55.60 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 1994980 D: 86.50 ⇑ 2.73% | 85.28 | 87.80 / 76.00 C: 85.70 ⇑ 1.18% | 84.12 | 86.90 / 83.90 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 545500 D: 62.20 ⇑ 4.19% | 61.90 | 62.80 / 60.70 C: 62.30 ⇑ 2.13% | 61.97 | 64.00 / 61.00 PTL | 2.12 | 20.06 | Vol. 4793500 D: 67.60 ⇓ 2.59% | 69.53 | 72.00 / 67.00 C: 67.50 ⇓ 2.46% | 69.22 | 72.00 / 66.20 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 11802 D: 275.3 ⇓ 0.04% | 272.49 | 279.7 / 270.1 C: 270.0 ⇓ 2.95% | 271.23 | 275.0 / 260.0 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 245067 D: 47.00 ⇑ 0.43% | 47.04 | 48.00 / 43.00 C: 47.10 ⇑ 0.21% | 47.11 | 47.90 / 46.50

GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 1500 D: 990.3 ⇑ 0.95% | 986.00 | 1009 / 966.0 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 18116 D: 174.4 ⇓ 1.52% | 175.35 | 177.5 / 170.0 C: 171.2 ⇓ 1.89% | 172.20 | 172.7 / 171.1 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 17065 D: 744.3 ⇓ 1.46% | 746.96 | 752.0 / 720.0 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 200 D: 873.2 ⇓ 2.11% | 875.00 | 892.0 / 867.0 PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 70250 D: 171.4 ⇓ 4.78% | 173.25 | 180.3 / 170.0 KOHINOOR | 11.46 | 15.99 | Vol. 2500 D: 361.9 ⇓ 2.11% | 362.00 | 363.0 / 360.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 116644 D: 104.4 ⇓ 0.29% | 104.57 | 107.4 / 102.0 C: 105.8 ⇑ 1.05% | 105.66 | 107.0 / 104.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 1200 D: 406.8 ⇓ 3.37% | 406.67 | 411.0 / 390.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 323300 D: 43.80 ⇑ 3.30% | 43.85 | 44.90 / 40.00 C: 43.60 ⇑ 2.59% | 43.51 | 44.40 / 43.00 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 344822 D: 193.4 ⇓ 0.82% | 193.39 | 201.1 / 183.0 C: 192.9 ⇓ 0.98% | 193.35 | 195.0 / 192.5 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 77500 D: 8.00 ⇑ 9.59% | 7.96 | 8.00 / 7.50 C: 8.50 ⇑ 8.97% | 8.48 | 8.50 / 8.10 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 2511317 D: 28.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 27.88 | 29.00 / 24.50 C: 28.10 ⇑ 3.31% | 27.95 | 28.30 / 25.00 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 550 D: 857.2 ⇓ 0.56% | 858.18 | 869.7 / 835.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 65300 D: 80.10 ⇓ 0.62% | 80.36 | 82.00 / 79.70 C: 80.10 ⇓ 1.23% | 80.08 | 80.20 / 80.00 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 4450 D: 753.0 ⇓ 0.91% | 752.95 | 755.0 / 752.1 C: 769.0 ⇑ 3.22% | 769.00 | 769.0 / 769.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 529725 D: 13.50 ⇑ 3.85% | 13.62 | 13.90 / 12.50 C: 13.60 ⇑ 3.82% | 13.68 | 13.90 / 13.20 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 717986 D: 88.70 ⇓ 0.22% | 88.74 | 90.30 / 82.00 C: 88.40 ⇓ 1.34% | 88.53 | 89.50 / 87.70 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 4258436 D: 25.70 ⇑ 9.83% | 25.50 | 25.70 / 21.90 C: 25.60 ⇑ 9.87% | 25.41 | 25.60 / 23.00 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 1472250 D: 62.50 ⇓ 1.88% | 64.06 | 65.50 / 61.90 C: 62.90 ⇓ 1.41% | 63.86 | 65.50 / 62.10 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 2028900 D: 63.00 ⇓ 0.16% | 63.51 | 65.00 / 57.00 C: 62.90 ⇓ 0.47% | 63.55 | 64.40 / 62.70 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 258000 D: 204.5 ⇓ 3.76% | 209.93 | 217.9 / 202.3 C: 206.0 ⇓ 2.88% | 209.75 | 219.4 / 204.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 3637775 D: 51.30 ⇑ 6.43% | 51.98 | 53.00 / 43.40 C: 51.10 ⇑ 5.58% | 51.99 | 53.00 / 49.10 PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 211000 D: 39.60 ⇑ 1.28% | 41.27 | 43.00 / 38.80 C: 39.30 ⇓ 2.24% | 41.26 | 43.00 / 38.00 SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.49 | 57.42 | Vol. 89001 D: 92.50 ⇓ 1.07% | 93.32 | 94.90 / 92.00 C: 94.00 ⇓ 0.95% | 93.78 | 94.00 / 93.50 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 437918 D: 30.20 ⇑ 1.34% | 30.29 | 30.60 / 27.50 C: 30.30 ⇑ 1.34% | 30.44 | 30.80 / 30.10 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 1352560 D: 53.20 ⇓ 0.93% | 53.32 | 54.20 / 51.00 C: 53.70 ⇓ 0.37% | 53.78 | 54.50 / 53.20

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 143200 D: 126.9 ⇓ 1.63% | 127.56 | 131.7 / 126.5 C: 126.9 ⇓ 2.31% | 127.87 | 129.8 / 125.2 BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 22700 D: 695.0 ⇓ 0.33% | 695.36 | 697.5 / 695.0 C: 694.0 ⇓ 0.44% | 695.67 | 699.0 / 692.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 86200 D: 397.7 ⇓ 0.58% | 395.98 | 402.0 / 392.3 C: 419.0 ⇑ 4.75% | 419.00 | 419.0 / 419.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 8500 D: 22.00 ⇑ 10.00% | 22.00 | 22.00 / 22.00 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 702509 D: 46.80 ⇓ 0.21% | 48.01 | 50.00 / 42.90 C: 46.50 ⇓ 0.85% | 47.69 | 49.80 / 45.30 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 327200 D: 37.80 ⇑ 9.88% | 37.60 | 37.80 / 35.00 C: 37.60 ⇑ 9.62% | 37.57 | 37.70 / 37.00 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 14000 D: 39.40 ⇑ 3.41% | 39.46 | 40.50 / 38.30 C: 38.30 ⇑ 2.13% | 38.65 | 39.00 / 38.30 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 3029459 D: 22.50 ⇑ 4.65% | 22.47 | 23.00 / 21.00 C: 22.30 ⇑ 3.24% | 22.46 | 23.00 / 22.10 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 790689 D: 18.80 ⇑ 2.17% | 18.98 | 19.50 / 17.00 C: 19.00 ⇑ 2.70% | 19.07 | 19.40 / 17.50 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 211449 D: 53.10 ⇑ 1.14% | 53.35 | 53.90 / 47.30 C: 53.20 ⇑ 0.38% | 53.18 | 53.80 / 50.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 34400 D: 380.1 ⇓ 1.45% | 381.71 | 387.7 / 379.0 C: 377.0 ⇓ 3.33% | 379.76 | 381.5 / 377.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 169024 D: 123.8 ⇑ 0.16% | 123.99 | 124.9 / 120.0 C: 123.6 ⇑ 0.00% | 123.93 | 125.0 / 123.2 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 123000 D: 132.1 ⇓ 0.15% | 132.48 | 134.5 / 130.0 C: 132.0 ⇓ 2.58% | 133.36 | 135.0 / 132.0 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 251500 D: 89.10 ⇑ 2.77% | 89.00 | 91.70 / 84.00 C: 88.00 ⇑ 0.23% | 89.07 | 91.00 / 85.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 684500 D: 32.90 ⇑ 0.61% | 32.82 | 33.00 / 32.70 C: 32.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.68 | 32.80 / 32.60 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 178922 D: 83.50 ⇑ 0.72% | 83.21 | 84.00 / 78.00 C: 83.40 ⇑ 0.12% | 83.04 | 83.70 / 82.50 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 370800 D: 106.0 ⇑ 1.73% | 106.75 | 110.0 / 104.4 C: 104.1 ⇓ 0.57% | 105.86 | 107.5 / 104.0 IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 627293 D: 21.60 ⇑ 9.64% | 21.28 | 21.60 / 19.70 C: 22.00 ⇑ 10.00% | 21.44 | 22.00 / 20.40 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 721020 D: 27.60 ⇑ 3.76% | 27.60 | 28.10 / 24.00 C: 27.70 ⇑ 2.21% | 27.36 | 28.90 / 26.60 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 1162501 D: 18.20 ⇑ 8.98% | 17.91 | 18.30 / 16.00 C: 18.30 ⇑ 8.28% | 18.01 | 18.40 / 17.30 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 1460582 D: 24.20 ⇑ 6.14% | 24.01 | 24.50 / 21.30 C: 24.30 ⇑ 6.58% | 24.03 | 24.60 / 22.80 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 1302960 D: 15.70 ⇑ 9.79% | 15.44 | 15.70 / 14.00 C: 15.80 ⇑ 9.72% | 15.49 | 15.80 / 14.70 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 2665450 D: 37.40 ⇑ 3.89% | 37.51 | 38.40 / 33.00 C: 37.70 ⇑ 4.14% | 37.81 | 39.00 / 35.60

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 33154 D: 29.60 ⇑ 0.68% | 29.60 | 30.00 / 28.00 C: 30.00 ⇑ 1.35% | 29.85 | 30.20 / 29.60 GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 72602 D: 86.50 ⇓ 1.14% | 86.42 | 90.00 / 81.50 C: 87.50 ⇑ 0.34% | 86.81 | 88.00 / 86.20 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 6900 D: 44.00 ⇑ 1.85% | 43.91 | 44.30 / 43.60 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 174200 D: 34.60 ⇓ 1.70% | 34.91 | 36.40 / 34.50 C: 35.00 ⇓ 2.78% | 35.00 | 35.00 / 35.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 29800 D: 37.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 37.72 | 38.20 / 37.50 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 134910 D: 27.50 ⇑ 0.73% | 27.52 | 27.70 / 25.20 C: 27.60 ⇓ 0.36% | 27.48 | 28.00 / 27.20 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 43156 D: 42.20 ⇑ 0.72% | 42.29 | 43.00 / 39.50 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 143943 D: 48.10 ⇑ 1.05% | 48.02 | 48.70 / 47.00 C: 48.30 ⇑ 1.26% | 47.97 | 48.30 / 47.50 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 64415 D: 29.40 ⇓ 0.68% | 29.55 | 29.90 / 29.30 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 100860 D: 24.80 ⇑ 2.06% | 24.61 | 25.00 / 23.50 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 183400 D: 33.80 ⇑ 1.20% | 33.83 | 34.30 / 30.30 C: 33.70 ⇑ 0.30% | 33.79 | 34.00 / 33.70 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 249544 D: 24.90 ⇑ 2.47% | 24.63 | 25.20 / 22.00 C: 24.60 ⇑ 1.23% | 24.45 | 24.80 / 24.20 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 3500 D: 72.50 ⇑ 0.14% | 72.57 | 73.00 / 71.70 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 329587 D: 23.90 ⇑ 1.70% | 23.81 | 24.40 / 22.00 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 17154 D: 58.00 ⇑ 0.52% | 57.87 | 58.70 / 55.00 C: 57.00 ⇑ 1.79% | 57.02 | 57.10 / 57.00 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 111385 D: 32.90 ⇓ 2.95% | 33.38 | 34.00 / 31.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 118247 D: 67.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 67.64 | 69.00 / 66.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 99924 D: 27.40 ⇑ 0.74% | 27.39 | 27.60 / 26.00 C: 25.90 ⇓ 6.16% | 25.90 | 26.20 / 25.60 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 108217 D: 27.80 ⇑ 1.83% | 27.64 | 28.50 / 25.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 45342 D: 28.90 ⇑ 2.12% | 28.89 | 29.00 / 27.70 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 27000 D: 34.80 ⇑ 0.58% | 34.75 | 35.20 / 34.50 C: 34.00 ⇓ 8.11% | 34.50 | 35.50 / 34.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 25000 D: 30.10 ⇑ 1.01% | 30.29 | 31.00 / 30.00 C: 29.50 ⇓ 1.67% | 29.50 | 29.50 / 29.50 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 149712 D: 25.20 ⇑ 2.44% | 25.35 | 26.00 / 22.50 C: 25.50 ⇑ 2.41% | 25.50 | 25.50 / 25.50 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 137000 D: 24.80 ⇑ 0.81% | 24.63 | 25.00 / 24.40 C: 25.00 ⇑ 1.63% | 24.69 | 25.00 / 24.50 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 151083 D: 28.00 ⇑ 2.94% | 27.84 | 28.50 / 26.00 C: 28.00 ⇑ 2.56% | 27.69 | 28.00 / 27.50 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 139012 D: 30.10 ⇑ 0.67% | 30.01 | 30.30 / 28.20 C: 30.10 ⇑ 0.67% | 30.20 | 30.60 / 30.10 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 226437 D: 38.70 ⇑ 0.26% | 38.80 | 41.00 / 36.00 C: 38.40 ⇓ 0.26% | 38.40 | 38.50 / 38.00 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 46063 D: 39.40 ⇑ 0.25% | 39.67 | 42.00 / 38.00 C: 39.00 ⇓ 2.74% | 39.00 | 39.00 / 39.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 98012 D: 40.90 ⇓ 0.97% | 41.27 | 42.10 / 40.80 C: 40.70 ⇓ 1.45% | 40.69 | 41.60 / 38.60 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 123657 D: 42.90 ⇑ 0.47% | 42.85 | 43.20 / 38.50 C: 42.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 42.39 | 43.60 / 42.00 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 57066 D: 27.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.48 | 28.00 / 25.00 C: 27.70 ⇑ 1.47% | 27.52 | 27.70 / 27.40 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 32252 D: 33.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 33.52 | 34.50 / 31.00 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 88920 D: 28.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.44 | 29.10 / 27.00 C: 28.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.35 | 28.40 / 28.30

DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 92125 D: 41.00 ⇑ 0.24% | 41.14 | 41.50 / 37.00 C: 41.50 ⇑ 1.72% | 41.35 | 41.70 / 40.90 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 78211 D: 283.3 ⇑ 0.78% | 281.26 | 286.5 / 274.0 C: 276.5 ⇓ 1.25% | 277.40 | 282.0 / 270.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 895510 D: 277.5 ⇓ 1.67% | 279.19 | 284.8 / 260.0 C: 277.5 ⇓ 2.05% | 279.53 | 285.8 / 276.3 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 77419 D: 73.60 ⇓ 0.94% | 73.84 | 76.00 / 70.00 C: 74.30 ⇑ 0.41% | 74.26 | 74.60 / 74.10 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 17000 D: 228.4 ⇓ 2.64% | 228.24 | 231.7 / 222.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 49059 D: 101.5 ⇓ 1.74% | 101.64 | 105.0 / 100.0 C: 102.0 ⇓ 0.29% | 101.96 | 103.0 / 101.5 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 215600 D: 114.2 ⇑ 0.71% | 115.73 | 117.6 / 105.7 C: 112.2 ⇓ 3.94% | 112.20 | 112.3 / 112.2 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 7500 D: 115.9 ⇓ 4.37% | 115.87 | 117.2 / 115.5 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 20165 D: 160.0 ⇓ 1.96% | 160.53 | 162.0 / 158.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 8750 D: 101.6 ⇓ 0.68% | 101.49 | 102.0 / 100.0 C: 100.0 ⇑ 1.83% | 100.00 | 100.0 / 100.0 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 143444 D: 121.2 ⇑ 0.75% | 120.92 | 125.0 / 115.0 C: 128.0 ⇑ 3.56% | 128.00 | 128.0 / 128.0 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 514880 D: 71.10 ⇑ 3.34% | 69.69 | 71.90 / 64.00 C: 70.90 ⇑ 2.01% | 70.41 | 71.40 / 68.40 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 250575 D: 63.10 ⇓ 0.47% | 63.18 | 64.20 / 58.00 C: 63.10 ⇓ 0.32% | 62.76 | 64.00 / 62.10 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 399100 D: 204.6 ⇓ 0.05% | 204.39 | 206.0 / 200.0 C: 204.2 ⇓ 0.34% | 204.33 | 205.6 / 203.2 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 272634 D: 171.3 ⇓ 0.29% | 171.71 | 175.0 / 160.0 C: 171.1 ⇓ 0.29% | 171.42 | 172.7 / 170.7 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 6391913 D: 16.70 ⇑ 0.60% | 16.82 | 17.10 / 15.50 C: 16.80 ⇑ 0.60% | 16.85 | 17.00 / 16.00 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 501875 D: 81.50 ⇑ 0.25% | 81.65 | 82.60 / 75.00 C: 81.70 ⇑ 0.25% | 81.68 | 83.30 / 81.30 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 10950 D: 336.1 ⇓ 1.47% | 343.35 | 354.5 / 331.3 C: 337.1 ⇓ 3.55% | 337.05 | 344.0 / 330.1 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 72260 D: 435.5 ⇓ 0.40% | 436.59 | 441.5 / 434.5 C: 434.8 ⇓ 0.23% | 435.88 | 440.0 / 433.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 91170 D: 147.7 ⇓ 2.64% | 149.41 | 152.5 / 139.0 C: 147.6 ⇓ 3.21% | 149.82 | 152.5 / 147.1 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 181850 D: 142.5 ⇑ 2.67% | 143.10 | 147.6 / 139.0 C: 143.2 ⇑ 3.39% | 144.26 | 147.0 / 140.5 SAVAREFR | 0.14 | 10.57 | Vol. 1150 D: 62.10 ⇑ 0.81% | 62.61 | 63.70 / 61.00 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 2269105 D: 33.60 ⇑ 0.30% | 33.93 | 34.50 / 30.30 C: 33.80 ⇑ 0.90% | 33.96 | 34.40 / 31.00 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 857500 D: 25.80 ⇑ 7.95% | 25.18 | 26.10 / 24.30 C: 26.00 ⇑ 8.33% | 25.31 | 26.30 / 24.70 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 1079031 D: 19.10 ⇑ 9.14% | 18.99 | 19.20 / 17.50 C: 19.00 ⇑ 6.74% | 19.15 | 19.50 / 18.20 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 290 D: 987.5 ⇓ 0.08% | 989.29 | 990.0 / 980.0 C: 973.5 ⇓ 0.26% | 973.25 | 974.0 / 972.5 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 22 D: 891.0 ⇑ 0.11% | 888.89 | 891.5 / 890.5 C: 880.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 850.00 | 880.0 / 820.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

H&M may raise prices to pay workers more The decision will help the workers in countries like Bangladesh to earn a living wage n AFP, Stockholm The Swedish fashion giant H&M said Monday that it could raise retail prices in the future in order to pay better wages to some of the world’s poorest textile workers.

The announcement came at a meeting with pressure groups in Stockholm where H&M unveiled plans to improve pay rates for textile workers in countries such as Bangladesh where the minimum wage is less than $70 (50 euros) a month.

Helena Helmersson, head of sustainability at H&M, told AFP that higher retail prices “might be a possibility” in the long term but that customers should not expect any price hikes in the near future.

Some corporate watchdogs saw the acknowledgement as a significant breakthrough.

“It’s the first time ever they have said they were willing to raise prices and that consumers were now ready for that,” said Viveka Risberg from Swedwatch, which monitors Swedish multinational corporations.

“It’s going to take years to get to a living wage in Bangladesh but I’m more hopeful now they have opened up to involving all the stakeholders - the unions, the workers the suppliers and the government.”

H&M first announced its Fair Living Wage policy in November and said in a statement that “all textile workers should be able to live on their wage” but that progress towards that was too slow in some countries where many workers still live below the poverty line.

Helmersson said the company would use its size and influence with suppliers to push for fairer wages, training for workers and recognition of the role of trade unions in pay negotiations.

She added that H&M was also lobbying governments to raise minimum wage levels, and introduce annual reviews, pointing to the recent hike to $67 per month introduced by the Bangladeshi government as one sign of improvement.

However, pay hikes alone may not be enough to raise some workers out of poverty.

“We can set goals to make sure the right pay structures are in place with our suppliers,” said Helmersson.

“But when it comes to the result ... one of the challenges is that when you raise wages we’ve seen this in Bangladesh - rents are also raised and food prices go up. So they have to find a way to continuously review wages.”

The company has set a goal of raising the wages of 850,000 textile workers worldwide by 2018. l

Workers are seen busy at a garment factory

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Fitch says electoral setback to test fiscal discipline Ministers miss n Reuters The setback for ruling Congress Party in recent state elections could imperil the country’s fiscal deficit target by tempting the government to have less restraint on spending, Fitch Ratings warned yesterday.

The party, which rules India through a minority coalition, lost three of four key state polls held since last month, according to results unveiled on Sunday, in a major setback ahead of general elections due by May. Although Finance Minister P. Chidambar-

am has repeatedly pledged the country will meet its fiscal deficit target of 4.8% of gross domestic product for the year ending in March, investors now fear the government could crank up spending in a bid to boost its electoral standing.

Fitch said yesterday the likelihood of that happening was increasing, but said the government has little room to manoeuvre on spending, given that India’s fiscal deficit has already reached 84% of its target in the first seven months of the year.

“An evident anti-incumbency trend

A private money trader counts rupee notes at a shop in Mumbai

REUTERS

against the Congress could mean an increasing likelihood of political pressure to limit expenditure cut-backs,” Fitch said in its note.

“This would help support economic recovery in the run-up to the national elections which must be held by May 2014. But it may raise some doubt about the government’s ability to meet its stated near-term fiscal goals.”

Fitch noted that unless revenue unexpectedly surged, India would ultimately need to cut spending if it wanted to meet its fiscal deficit target.

Investors are increasingly betting the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and its prime minister candidate Narendra Modi could win general elections next year after its strong showing in state elections.

Although Indian shares hit a record high on Monday after the state results because of widespread perceptions of the BJP as a more business-friendly party, bonds have struggled, partly due to fear of less spending restraint by the government.

The new benchmark 10-year bond yield is up 2 basis points at 8.87% this week. Still, analysts said markets were willing to give the government the benefit of the doubt for now.

“The growth in the planned expenditure gives a lot of scope to cut back. So we have to give benefit of doubt to the finance minister,” said A Prasanna, an economist at ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Ltd. Fitch returned India’s outlook to “stable” in June, a year after it had downgraded it to “negative”, citing the government’s efforts to contain the fiscal deficit and revive economic growth. l

2013 deadline for US-led trade pact n AFP, Singapore Trade ministers meeting in Singapore said yesterday that talks on a huge US-led Pacific trade pact will resume in January, missing a deadline to agree a deal this year. “We have decided to continue our intensive work in the coming weeks toward such an agreement,” the 12 ministers said in a joint statement on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“Following additional work by negotiators, we intend to meet again next month,” they added after four days of secretive talks denounced by activists as a US attempt to railroad a deal. The TPP is being negotiated

by Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

They make up 40% of the global economy and other countries may join the pact later.

The ministers had arrived in Singapore from the just-concluded World Trade Organisation talks in the Indonesian island of Bali.

President Barack Obama has hailed the TPP as a centrepiece of renewed US engagement in Asia, saying it contains market-opening commitments that go well beyond those in other free-trade accords. But the complexity of the issues already caused negotiators to miss the original 2012 deadline set by Obama to reach a deal. TPP negotiators have been divided over a number of issues, including opening up Japan’s auto and farm markets and patent issues - in particular on medicines. l