April 5, 2016

SECOND EDITION

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

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Chaitra 22, 1422, Jamadius Sani 26, 1437

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Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 350

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www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages | Price: Tk10

Autopsy: Tonu not raped, cause of death unknown Jamil Khan in n Mohammad Dhaka and Mohiuddin Molla from Comilla The first post-mortem examination on Sohagi Jahan Tonu has found no evidence that she was raped before being killed and has also failed to determine the cause of her death.

Dosctors said forensic tests failing to reveal the cause of death is an extremely rare incident but not impossible.

“In only 2 to 5% autopsies, the cause of death cannot be found.

Tonu’s autosy was one of those rare cases,” said Dr Kamoda Prosad Saha, the forensic department head of Comilla Medical College where Tonu’s post-mortem was performed.

Dr Kamoda said there was no sign on Tonu’s body that could prove that she had been raped before her death. He, however, did not mention anything about the re-

ported injury mark on the back of Tonu’s head, which the victim’s father said he saw when he had first found her body.

When the Dhaka Tribune asked whether there could be any outside pressure to manipulate the findings, the doctor said the autopsy report only contained what was found during the autopsy.

The Dhaka Tribune also tried to get comments from Dr Sharmin Sultana, who conducted the first

autopsy of Tonu, but she was unavailable over phone.

The first post-mortem of Tonu, a second-year history student of Comilla Victoria Government College, was performed soon after her body was found near her residence inside the Mainamati Cantonment in Comilla on March 20.

Meanwhile, asked how common it was for an autopsy to not reveal a cause of death, Dr Sohel Mahmud,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Mizanur Rahaman, n FM Chittagong

INSIDE

“The law enforcers tried to disperse the two groups. At one stage police were forced to open fire to save their lives.”

Awal said at least six police were hit by bullets and were sent to the

Panama Papers turn spotlight on tax evasion London/Panama n Reuters, City

upazila health complex for treatment.

“Villagers swooped on the policemen prompting them to fire to bring the situation under control.

Governments across the world began investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful yesterday following a leak of documents from a Panamanian law firm which allegedly showed how clients avoided tax or laundered money.

The documents detailed schemes involving an array of figures from friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin to relatives of the prime ministers of Britain, Iceland and Pakistan and as well as the president of Ukraine, journalists who received them said.

While the "Panama Papers" detail complex financial arrangements benefitting the world's elite, they do not necessarily mean the schemes were all illegal.

The Kremlin said the documents contained "nothing concrete and nothing new" while a spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron said his late father's reported links to an offshore company were a "private matter".

Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson could not

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Locals rush one of the victims, who was injured in a violent clash in Chittagong's Banshkhali upazila, into Chittagong Medical College Hospital yesterday. The clash, which took place among two rival groups of villagers and police over the construction of a coal-based power plant, left at least three dead and 17 injured yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE “Around 2,500-3,000 villagers gathered at the place at around 2:30pm defying section 144 and attacked police with lethal weapons and firearms and cordoned the law enforcers off,” he said.

n Tribune Report Casino junket operator Kam Sin "Kim" Wong yesterday delivered another $830,595.50 (P38.28 million) to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for safekeeping in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) headquarters in Manila, reports Rappler.com. "$830,595.50 (P38,280,000) was returned by the lawyers of Kim Wong. According to Victor Fernandez, lawyer of Kim Wong, the money came from Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company Limited,” BSP

4 killed in police firing over coal power plant At least four people have been killed in a clash between police and two groups of villagers over constructing a coal-based power plant in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong.

The victims are Jaker Hossain, Zakir, Mortuza and Anwar, said Chittagong Superintendent of Police Hafiz Akhtar.

Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammed Samsuzzaman said the locals swooped on police and the magistrate during the melee between two groups of villagers at the Gondamara union on Monday afternoon.

“At one stage of the clash, police opened fire on the unruly people to save lives and properties.”

Some 11 police personnel including the officer-in-charge of Banskhali police station were also injured in the villagers’ attack.

Chittagong District Police’s Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Mohammed Abdul Awal told the Dhaka Tribune that the local authority imposed section 144 at the Gondamara union area as two local groups called rallies at the same place and same time over a coal-based power plant to be set up in the area.

BB fund heist: Wong returns another $830K

Fuel prices to go down

Swiss banks can help secure local banks

Mahfuz Anam secures anticipatory bail

Muezzin stabbed to death in mosque

The government has taken the decision to reduce prices of octane, petrol, diesel and kerosene in three phases.  PAGE 3

Swiss banks, globally famous for their service to their clients, can be of help in developing security features in the banking sector in Bangladesh.  PAGE 5

Mahfuz Anam, editor of the English language newspaper The Daily Star, has secured anticipatory bail from the High Court in 66 defamation cases.  PAGE 6

Unidentified assailants yesterday stabbed a muezzin to death inside a three-storey mosque in Old Dhaka’s Islampur area.  PAGE 32

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

FY17 budget deficit up by Tk51bn n Asif Showkat Kallol The budget deficit for the next fiscal year has gone up by Tk51.95 billion, although as a proportion of total expenditure it has dropped 6% from the fiscal year's revised outlet.

The deficit in the current fiscal year was Tk865.75 billion and is expected to be Tk917.70 billion in the next budget, according to the 2016-2017 budget outline obtained by the Dhaka Tribune. However, as proportion of the budget, the deficit has fallen from 32% to 26%.

The forthcoming budget figures are set to be fixed at the budget management committee and fiscal coordination council meetings on April 10 at the Finance Ministry presided over

by Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

The next fiscal's budget may be set at Tk3.39 trillion, about 15% larger than this fiscal's Tk2.95 trillion. Most of the increased expenditure is to be spent for the payment of government salaries in accordance with the new pay scale which started from last July, Finance Ministry officials said.

The government has also set a revenue earning target for the next fiscal year at Tk2.48 trillion, which

is about 16% higher than the last year's target of Tk2.08 trillion, and 40.31% higher than the Tk1.76 trillion it actually earned this fiscal according to the outline. The budget outline estimates a GDP of Tk 19.50 trillion for the fiscal year 2016-17, 13.6% higher than current one.

The size of the Annual Development Programme is likely to be about Tk 1128.9bn in the next fiscal year, up from the current Tk 900bn.

The government plans to finance 66.55% or Tk610 billion of the total budget deficit from local sources – borrowing from banks and savings instruments. The deficit, however, is not going to cross 5% of GDP - a standard practice in Bangladesh. Development partners also suggest that the budget deficit do not cross this limit and it is expected to be 4.7% of the GDP. The budget deficit for this fiscal year increased by 41.26% from the fiscal year 2014-2015 due to raise for expenditure for payment of public servant salary and allowance hike.

The government has already kept aside Tk159 billion as a block allocation in the from current fiscal year budge while in the next fiscal it will be Tk228 billion. l

BNP to stay in UP polls n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The BNP has decided not to boycott the union parishad elections, but it would conduct a review of the different phases of the polls.

The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said this to journalists following a meeting of the 20-party alliance, chaired

by Khaleda Zia, at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday.

“Even though we know that the election has turned into a farce, our belief has only strengthened that a free and fair election is not possible

under this government and the incumbent Election Commission.

“At the same time, we want to see how much worse and incompetent the Election Commission can be. How much they can cheat with the state and the people,” he added.

Fakhrul said the BNP participated in the election for the sake of democracy and as part of its ongoing democratic movement.

“We were in the election and we will be in the election until the end,” he said, adding that post-election steps would be decided at a later date. wl

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

4 killed in police firing over coal power plant More than 10 policemen were injured,” ASP Habibur Rahman said.

The situation was under control but tension was mounting in the area following the three-hour long clash, Rahman added.

Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) police outpost Sub-Inspector (SI) Jahirul Islam said two bullet-hit villagers - Mujibur Rahman, 28, Ansar Uddin, 30 - were admitted to the hospital around 7:30pm.

A number of local sources

claimed at least five people were reportedly killed when police opened fire.

Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mesbah Uddin said a committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Mamun-ur-Rashid, has been formed to investigate the incident and submit a report within one week.

Local sources said there was a long standing feud between the two groups of villagers over favouring and opposing a coal-based

power plant to be set up by S Alam Group at the coastal area of Gandamara union.

The two groups called rallies yesterday at the same venue and time. Local authorities imposed section 144.

S Alam Group and SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation of China inked an agreement recently to set up 1,320 megawatt coal-fired power plant at Banshkhali upazila. l

BB fund heist: Wong returns another $830K deputy director Ogie Garcia said in a mobile phone reply.

This is in addition to the $4.63 million Wong’s legal counsel turned over to AMLC last March 31.

His company Eastern Hawaii got hold of P1 billion or $21.575 million of the stolen funds.

Of the P1 billion, Wong said he took P450 million as the payment of casino junket operator Gao Shuhua, one of two who reportedly facilitated the entry of the laundered money into Philippine casinos, to him. Another P550 million went through the gaming tables. He said P510 million of that amount was lost to Midas Hotel and Casino.

Among those present during the turnover were BSP officer-incharge Vicente Aquino, Bangladesh Embassy Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Shahnaz Gazi, Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc, AMLC Executive Director Julia Bacay-Abad, Wong’s lawyers Fernandez and Inocencio Ferrer Jr, as well as Bangladesh Bank officials.

The surrendered amount was loaded into an armoured vehicle of the BSP and transported to the BSP vault.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes said last week that members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are due to coordinate with Philippine

authorities on the money-laundering case.

“Officials of the CID will coordinate with the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]. They will start their own investigation on how the money entered the country and who are the people involved,” Gomes had said.

He said the CID officials will attend the fourth Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the Bangladesh Bank fund heist on Tuesday, April 5.

“We are hopeful that the entire amount will be recovered. The return of $4.63 million from Wong is a step in the right direction,” Gomes had said. l

Panama Papers turn spotlight on tax evasion immediately be reached for comment on the naming of his wife in connection with a secretive company in an offshore haven which brought opposition calls for him to resign.

Pakistan denied any wrongdoing by the family of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after his daughter and son were linked to offshore companies. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has not commented on his reported offshore links.

Australia, Austria, Brazil, France and Sweden were among countries which said they had begun investigating the allegations, based on more than 11.5 million documents from law firm Mossack Fonseca, located in the tax haven of Panama.

Banks as well as individual clients came under the spotlight.

The documents were leaked to

the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and more than 100 other news organisations. Mossack Fonseca has denied any wrongdoing.

“I think the leak will prove to be probably the biggest blow the offshore world has ever taken because of the extent of the documents,” ICJC director Gerard Ryle said.

Arms and drugs?

The material covers a period over almost 40 years, from 1977 until last December, and allegedly show that some companies domiciled in tax havens were being used for suspected money laundering, arms and drug deals, and tax evasion.

The British government asked for a copy of the leaked data, which could be embarrassing for Prime

Minister Cameron, who has spoken out against tax evasion and tax avoidance.

His late father, Ian Cameron, is mentioned in the files, alongside some members of his Conservative Party in the upper house of parliament, former Conservative lawmakers and party donors, British media said.

Cameron’s spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the leader’s family had money invested in offshore funds set up by his father, saying it was a “private matter”.

The Australian Tax Office said it was investigating more than 800 wealthy Mossack Fonseca clients and had linked more than 120 of them to an associate offshore service provider located in Hong Kong, which it did not name. l

Autopsy: Tonu not raped, cause of death unknown associate professor at Dhaka Medical College forensic department, said that in general cases, autopsies almost always reveal the cause of death for an individual.

But in exceptional cases where external causes might have changed the body’s condition or evidence might have been destroyed, doctors might come up with what is known as an obscure autopsy, he said.

However, Dr Sohel added that it was not possible for him to comment on an individual case without examining the body.

Primary investigation has so far

not shown any indication that evidence might have been destroyed during the three hours Tonu was missing: between the time she left the house where she tutored a student around 7:30pm and when her body was found around 10:30pm on March 20.

Second autopsy performed

Addressing a press conference at his office in the district’s Badurtola area, Dr Kamoda said he received Dr Sharmin’s autopsy report yesterday morning, while the victim’s viscera report had also arrived from the capital.

“We have already informed law enforcers and they can collect the reports whenever they want,” he said.

Dr Kamoda is now leading a team of three in carrying out the second autopsy of Tonu, whose body was exhumed on March 30.

The second post-mortem has already been performed, the forensic doctor said, adding that some evidence has been sent to the Chittagong chief forensic laboratory for analysis.

Further comments on autopsy findings can only be made after

getting report of that analysis, he added.

CID investigating

Sources at the Criminal Investigation Department, which is currently probing the much-talked-about case, said the focus is now on collecting clues based on crime scene analysis and statements from family members and witnesses.

A CID team has been collecting information from different people inside Comilla Cantonment since Sunday night.

CID Comilla district Senior Superintendent Dr Nazmul Karim

Khan, one of the members of the team, said they had visited the cantonment and spoken to doctors at the Combined Military Hospital.

“We are trying to solve the mystery using all possible sources,” he said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said Tonu’s death would be tried under the country’s existing laws.

He made the comment to reporters in Ashulia in response to a query on the chief justice’s recent remark that the Act of Criminal Procedure 1898 was inadequate for trying the Tonu case. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Firearms, bombs found in Bogra blast house n Our Correspondent, Bogra A bomb disposal unit of the counter-terrorism transnational division yesterday recovered arms, ammunition, bombs and bomb-making materials from a house in Bogra’s Sherpur upazila, where two men died in a blast while making bombs on Sunday night.

A 13-member bomb disposal team from Dhaka, led by Senior Assistant Commissioner Rahmatullah Chowdhury, went to the house at Garidaha Juanpur Kuthirbhita village in the morning.

They searched three rooms of the house till midday and recovered 20 grenades, four foreign pistols, 40 rounds and six magazines.

They also recovered some other materials used to make bombs, different circuits and pipes.

The team said the amount of materials found in the house could have been used for making more than 300 grenades that are powerful enough to cause massive destruction within four to five metres of the scene of blast.

The 20 grenades recovered from the house were later blasted in a nearby field.

The bomb disposal team said they also found a motorbike and a bicycle in the house, and the motorcycle is registered in the name of one Nurul Islam but contained no registration plate.

They sealed the house after the raid.

Asaduzzaman, superintendent of police in Bogra, said the two men who died in Sunday night’s blast at the house could not be identified but they were militants.

He said they must have been plotting a massive subversion on Pohela Boishakh or any other occasion.

“Once we can confirm their identities, we will know which militant group they worked for. If we find any evidence that the house owner is also involved in the matter, we will take action against him as well,” added Asaduzzaman.

Sohel Rana, station officer of Sherpur Fire Service, said the two men were critically injured in the explosion around 8:30pm on Sunday.

“They were brought out of the house and taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

One of them died around 10:15pm, and the other at 11:30pm,” he said.

Khan Mohammad Erfan, officer-in-charge of Sherpur police station, said yesterday afternoon that a case would be filed in this connection. l

Firearms, ammunition, bombs and bomb-making materials are recovered from a house in Bogra’s Sherpur upazila yesterday. Two suspected militants died in a blast while making bombs at the house on Sunday night FOCUS BANGLA

Fuel prices to go down Showkat Kallol and n Asif Aminur Rahman Rasel

The government has taken the decision to reduce prices of octane, petrol, diesel and kerosene in three phases.

Speaking to reporters at his office yesterday, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the prices of octane, petrol, diesel and kerosene may be reduced by Tk15 to Tk20 per litre in three phases.

On March 31, the government reduced the price of furnace oil to Tk42 from Tk60 per litre effective from April 1.

Meanwhile sources at the Finance Division said the division has prepared a proposal to cut fuel prices that has been signed by the Finance Secretary and expected to be signed by the Finance Minister within a day.

PROPOSED PRICE CUTS Octane Kerosine Diesel Petrol Furnace Oil Per liter current retail price

99

68

68

96

60

Per liter reduced retail price

89.10

54.40

54.40 86.40

Size of the proposed cut

9.90

13.60

13.60

9.60

48 12

As percentage

10%

20%

20%

10%

20%

SOURCE: FINANCE DIVISION

According to a summary of the report, the prices of octane and petrol will be cut by 10% each, or Tk9.90 and Tk9.60 per litre respectively.

Prices of diesel and kerosene, which are more widely used by the public, are to be slashed by 20% to 13.60 per litre each.

According to the proposal, Finance Minister AMA Muhith decided the average price of the petroleum product will be $50 per barrel while earlier it was $60 per barrel.

State-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), which has

not made a profit in 14 years since 2001-2002 fiscal, bagged a profit of around Tk5,268 crore in the last fiscal year.

The proposal said a total of 95% petroleum products are used in the transport sector. Diesel consumption is 64% of total fuel consumption. Diesel and kerosene are used in agriculture and households, which is why the division has proposed a bigger cut of 20%.

After 20% reduction of prices of diesel and kerosene, the prices will be Tk54.40 and Tk54.40 per lirter

and profit Tk9.72 and Tk9.11 per litre will go to BPC. After 10% reduction, octane and petroleum prices will be Tk 89.10 and 86.40 per litre, from which BPC will still be making Tk27.11 and Tk23.90 per litre, according to the proposal.

The government last made changes to the domestic oil prices on January 4, 2013 when the price per barrel rose to $122 in the international market.

The Finance Ministry moved recently to lower domestic prices of petroleum products amid unrelenting global oil slump, which is selling at little over $35 per barrel, according to the report.

Bangladesh is among a few countries that kept the domestic oil prices higher despite the drastic fall in international oil prices. The prices are the highest among South Asian countries. l

2 Brac officials abducted in Afghanistan released n Tribune Report Two Bangladeshi Brac officials abducted in Afghanistan have been released after 18 days.

Haji Swakat, 50, and Md Sirajul Islam Sumon, 37, returned unharmed to Brac Kabul office yesterday morning, said a Brac press release yesterday.

In the press release, Regional

Director of Brac International, Asia, Jalal Uddin Ahmed, was quoted as saying that the release of the two Brac officials was ensured through the mediation of the local Surah leaders.

“We are very happy on their safe return. Both have spoken to their respective families in Pabna.”

Jalal went to Kabul after the abduction on March 17.

Executive Director of Brac International Faruque Ahmed said: “We are relieved that our colleagues are safe and unharmed.

From the very beginning ensuring their safe release was our top priority and I am glad that we have been able to achieve this.

“We are grateful to the families for their patience during the last two weeks.”

He also thanked both the governments of Afghanistan and Bangladesh, provincial governors, police and Surah leaders of Baghlan and Kunduz provinces for their relentless support in the critical time.

Swakat and Sumon were abducted from Afghanistan’s Kunduz on their way back to Baghlan office after a field visit. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Government: Commercial establishments must leave residential areas n Shohel Mamun Unauthorised commercial establishments including bars, residential hotels and private universities will have to be shifted from residential areas in the capital within the next six months.

The decision was taken at a regular Cabinet meeting presided over

by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Secretariat yesterday.

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam briefed reporters in the afternoon.

He said if the unauthorised commercial institutions fail to shift within the deadline, the authorities concerned will evict them.

Earlier on June 8 last year, the

Cabinet asked the Local Government Division to prepare a report on unauthorised commercial institutions in the residential areas around the capital.

The ministry submitted the report at yesterday’s meeting along with some recommendations, which were approved by the Cabinet.

As per the Cabinet’s decision, the unauthorised institutions built at the parking spaces in residential areas will have to be shifted within these six months as well.

Unauthorised guest houses, schools and colleges will also have to be removed within the deadline.

If these establishments fail to move out of the residential areas

within the deadline, they will be disconnected from water, gas and power supplies.

The government will not issue licences for any new bars in residential areas, the cabinet secretary said.

The Cabinet also approved the draft of Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) 2016 aimed at making the provision of alternative dispute resolution more effective.

“As per the draft, courts will have the authority to send a case to the legal aid officer for alternative solution before starting hearing. It should help lessen the number of cases tried at the courts,” the cabinet secretary said. l

4 Nigerians among 5 held n Arifur Rahman Rabbi Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) detained five people, including four Nigerian nationals, from Mirpur area in Dhaka on Sunday night, having accused them of taking around Tk38 lakh from a businessman.

The detainees are Mohammad Auwalu Adamu, Odibobhahemen James, Olorunfemi Daniel, Mohammad Adamu, and Joyon Ara Riya.

Police recovered four laptops, eight mobile phones, a bank check and related documents, some SIM cards and a pen-drive.

Yesterday, in a press briefing, Special Superintendent of PBI Md Ahsan Habib Palash said the four young Nigerian men, in Bangladesh as students, have been cheating people for a long time. They caught the interest of their victims by making lottery announcements through mobile phone calls or emails that stated the victim won some significant amount of money or an award.

The men smartly expressed themselves, using a female voice

and also a foreigner’s voice. People believed them and fell for the con.

Following that, the gang persuaded people to collect the award or money and demanded they pay different types of charges. When people paid the charges, the cons took the money and ran off, said Ahsan Habib Palash.

A businessman filed a case with Paltan police station, accusing them of taking around Tk.38 lakh, he said.

In reply to a query, the SS said the gang also has some female members who trap victims through temptation, he said.

This gang also cheated a man who lived in Panchagarh, he added.

“Initially we found the four arrested Nigerians to be Daffodil University students. However, we are looking into this information.

“We are also verifying the papers of the four Nigerian men, to determine if they are legally or illegally residing in Bangladesh. We are still investigating this matter,” he added. l

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Swiss banks can help secure local banks n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Swiss banks, globally famous for their impeccable service to their clients, can be of help in developing security features in the banking sector in Bangladesh.

In an exclusive interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian M Fotsch said both the countries so far do not have banking cooperation, but it is a very prospective area and his embassy can explore such cooperation to ensure better security in Bangladeshi banks.

The ambassador termed the recent scandals in the Bangladesh Bank or ATM fraud “technical.”

He believed that Swiss banks can cooperate and help Bangladeshi banks to further improve the technical security system.

“I am strongly convinced that it is a wake up call to further enhance the security in the banking system,” Fotsch said.

ATM fraud might be a new phenomenon in Bangladesh but Switzerland experienced it 10 or 15 years back.

Switzerland recognised Bangladesh in March 1972 and it provided

humanitarian and development assistance to the country from the start. Under the Development Cooperation Strategy 2013-16, Switzerland provides $30 million assistance every year.

The ambassador said currently both the governments are negotiating on Development Cooperation Strategy for 2017-20 period and hoped it would be the last one.

Bangladesh has a vision to become a middle-income country by 2021 and then the focus of the relationship would be economic rather that developmental.

Bangladesh, it has a trade deficit.

The bilateral trade was $500 million in 2015 with growth rate of over 10% compared to 2014 and Bangladesh exported $351 million worth of goods.

The ambassador said the trade amount has doubled since 2010 as only $250 million worth of goods were traded that year.

Bangladesh exports ready-made garment and leather products, and imports drugs and machinery.

Fotsch said many local manufacturers use Swiss weaving machine which are very good in quality.

Renewable energy, waste and garbage management, bio-energy, medical, surgical and clinical equipment, information technology were the future prospective areas, he added.

Deposit with Swiss banks

The ambassador said Swiss banks come into spotlight when the Swiss central bank declares their foreign assets and it is published in newspaper that this amount of Bangladeshi money is deposited with the Swiss banks.

He said there is an arrangement between Bangladesh and Switzerland to get information related to deposit of such money.

“If Bangladesh comes up with an official information request to Switzerland, Switzerland will provide information,” he said adding:

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian M Fotsch “There was never an official request.”

The Swiss bank secrecy is not what it used to be as they are now following OECD guidelines, which are applicable to all private banks to provide information.

Role of media

The ambassador said media freedom in Switzerland is guaranteed by its constitution but it slipped in the Press Freedom Index due to economic reasons.

The ambassador said it happened not because of censorship imposed by the government but due to corporate ownership of the

Bangladesh-Switzerland trade

Switzerland has trade surplus with most of the countries but with

media outlet.

About Bangladeshi media, he said everybody knows there is a debate going on about freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

“I can only say media freedom is important and if all newspaper write the same thing, it is useless.”

Refugee problem

The ambassador said Switzerland is a country of multi-culture and they receive Muslim refugees who are coming to Europe.

They can be integrated in the society if the state ensures multi-culture, multi-religious and diverse society.

“We hope very much to have a positive influence on Europe and European Union that they can also promote this cultural, religious diversity.”

Fotsch said a state cannot force somebody to accept characters of the country.

The state can explain basic values of the country but has to respect religion and social structure of the individuals.

This is the only way to integrate the refugee in the society and not to create a ghetto to keep all the newcomer in one corner. l

Calls for Dighipara coal feasibility study n Aminur Rahman Rasel State-owned Barapukaria Coal Mine Company (BCMCL) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from international firms for a feasibility study for the development of Dinajpur’s Dighipara coal field.

“The objective of the assignment is to develop and carry out complete geological and geo-technical study to determine technical and economical feasibility of Dighipara,” the general manager of planning and environment for BCMCL, ABM Kamruzzaman, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said the study would include the following activities: exploration planning, supervision and management of exploration activities. After getting the expressions of interest from prospective firms, a shortlist would be prepared, Kamruzzaman said.

Only the shortlisted firms would then be asked for request for proposal documents and other papers.

The last date for submission is May 15. The feasibility study will

TEMPERATURE FOREC AST FOR TODAY

start in October 2016 and finish in March 2019, he said.

In 1995, Geological Survey of Bangladesh discovered Dinajpur’s Dighipara mine, which has a proven coal reserve of 150 million tonnes.

The BCMCL, a company of Petrobangla, will implement the projects. The project’s main objectives would be to identify the total reserve of Dighipara coal basin (within 24 sq-km) and to develop a coal mine of 3 million tonne production capacity per year in the central part of the basin (within 6 sq-km).

Petrobangla and the EMRD have already handed over exploration licence of 4,000 hectare of Dighipara coal mine area to the BCMCL. The government plans to set up a series of coal-fired power projects to generate 20,000MW of electricity by 2030. But no arrangement has so far been made to import coal for the projected goal.

So, the government plans to develop the local coal mines to meet the demand. However, all the planned coal-based power plants still remain on paper. l Dhaka

RAIN OR THUNDERSHOWER LIKELY TUESDAY, APRIL 5

35

26

Chittagong

32

Students of Dhaka University block the roads at Shahbagh intersection in the capital yesterday in protest of their fellow student Sujan Mridha’s murder, demanding proper investigation as well as punishment for his killers MEHEDI HASAN 26

Rajshahi

DHAKA TODAY SUN SETS 6:16PM

39

27

Rangpur

31

24

Khulna

36

26

Barisal

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

TOMORROW SUN RISES 5:45AM

36.0ºC Mongla

20.4ºC Rangpur

Source: Accuweather/UNB

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26

PRAYER TIMES

Sylhet

28

22

Cox’s Bazar

31

27

Fajr: 4:27am | Zohr: 12:01pm Asr: 3:29pm | Magrib: 6:20pm Esha: 7:46pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Case filed over Drik official’s murder n Arifur Rahman Rabbi The family of Drik official Irfanul Islam has filed a case with Kalabagan police over his murder.

Officer-in-Charge Md Iqbal said they had not yet arrested anyone over the incident.

Irfanul’s brother Imdadul Islam lodged the case on yesterday afternoon.

Police recovered Irfanul’s body at Siddhirganj’s Jalkuri on Saturday evening.

Drik Picture Library General Manager Rezaur Rahman said Irfanul had gone to the Dhanmondi branch of Dutch Bangla Bank to withdraw Tk3.08 lakh of Drik’s money

on Saturday morning.

He went missing from there. Rezaur lodged a complaint with Kalabagan police in the evening.

Imdadul said his brother had been working with Drik for about two decades. “He did not have any enemies.

On Sunday after Esha prayer, Irfan was buried at Banani graveyard.” he said.

The autopsy suggested that Irfanul was strangled to death.

The OC said they were looking into the incident.

Police and his family suspect Irfan was abducted by muggers who later killed him and dumped his body in Narayanganj.

Some of Irfan’s friends, including Imtiaz Alam Beg, told the Dhaka Tribune that Irfan was a simple man and his life was also simple.

Irfan also did photography, but had been long out of practice. For some time, he had been taking lessons in and training in photography, he said.

Irfan’s friends suspect the murderer is a familiar person. Otherwise, while the hijacker took the money and fell off the grid, why was Irfan murdered? Something is wrong here, they added.

They also said: “We miss him. We want justice to be carried out in this incident.” l

Mahfuz Anam secures anticipatory bail n Tribune Report

Mahfuz Anam, editor of the English language newspaper The Daily Star, has secured anticipatory bail from the High Court in 66 defamation cases.

The High Court bench of Justices M Enayetur Rahim and Amir Hossain granted him four-week bail on Sunday in cases filed with different courts across the country on the charge of sedition and libel.

During the hearing, Barrister Rafique-Ul Haque represented the editor while Deputy Attorney General Sheikh AKM Moniruzzaman Kabir represented the state.

More than 80 cases, including the ones in which he has secured bail, were filed

by the ruling Awami League (AL) leaders and activists after he said in a television talk-show on February 3 that his biggest mistake in journalism was running without verifying independently corruption reports supplied by the military’s intelligence agency DGFI during the

2007-2008 caretaker regime.

During that military-backed caretaker government regime, a number of cases were filed against many top politicians of AL and BNP, including the sitting prime minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, on corruption charges. l

SC upholds Manju’s acquittal in graft case n Ashif Islam Shaon

The Supreme Court has upheld a High Court judgment that acquitted Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the or-

der yesterday morning, dismissing an appeal filed by the ACC challenging the High Court’s verdict.

In 2010, the High Court scrapped a lower court verdict that had jailed Manju for seven years and fined him Tk75 lakh in 2008 for taking a bribe of Tk75 lakh for road repair work in Bagerhat during his tenure as the communication minister in 1993.

On August 25, 2007, ACC filed the case with Savar Police Station against Manju, bringing an allegation of taking bribes from a construction company to award construction work to that company.

The ACC filed a leave-toappeal petition with the SC challenging the HC verdict.

After hearing the petition, the SC came up with the verdict yesterday. l

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DT

News

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road a nightmare for commuters Serajul Islam, n Mohammad Sylhet The unpaved Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road, dotted with large potholes, is a nightmare for the thousands who commute on it every day. During the dry season, the road is covered in dust while the monsoon literally turns it into a mud bed.

The stretch from Dhupagul to Salutikor and Khagail to Bholaganj lies in the worst condition, locals said.

It causes vehicles to slow down, taking hours to travel a small distance. Moreover, vehicles often fall into the ditch, resulting in many severe accidents that cause suffering to locals in the area.

The road, which could take one to Sylhet in only 30-40 minutes in better conditions, now takes 2-3 hours, said a driver.

This dilapidated state has prevailed for the last eight years, but the authority concerned has yet to take any measures to ease the suffering of locals.

Ifteqar Kabir, additional chief engineer of Roads and Highways department (RHD) in Sylhet Zone said the government had allocated Tk60 crore for the construction and maintenance of the Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road this fiscal year.

According to him, the draft of the project’s outsourcing and geometric survey is complete.

Ifteqar said: “We will submit a final report within seven days to the higher authorities.”

“Calls for the project tender will

The Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road has turned unfit for vehicular movement. The photo was taken yesterday be made as early as possible. After completing all processes, within four months work on the project will begin,” he said.

“The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved Tk4.41 billion for the road construction project on April 7, 2015. But the planning ministry allocated only Tk60 crore

this fiscal year for the three-year long project,” he added.

As per the Development Project Proforma (DPP), the project will be implemented in two parts: A 17km road will be built on a flexible pavement at a cost of Tk2.13 billion, and a 13km rigid pavement at a cost of Tk1.78 billion.

“A 74-metre long two-span

bridge with culvert, drain and earthwork will also be built under the project,” said Ifteqar, also the project director.

“To supervise the project and ensure its quality, we are hiring a consulting firm, and it will be appointed soon,” said the chief engineer.

Under the project, an Excel load

Freedom fighter Two testify in seven-murder case shot dead ers in exchange for Tk6 crore from Sarker and his driver were abductCorrespondent, n Our Nur Hossain, the prime accused in ed on their way to Dhaka.

Naraynganj Our Correspondent, Gazipur n the murder case, and other accomThree days into their abduction, A freedom fighter was shot to dead and three others sustained injuries by robbers in Kathora area in Gazipur city in the early hours of yesterday.

Ashutosh Ghosh, cousin of deceased Paresh Gosh, 65, told the Dhaka Tribune that a gang of robbers numbering eight to ten had entered the house of Naresh around 2am.

The robbers looted valuables and cash from the house.

As Paresh identified a member of the robbers’ gang, the they opened fire at him, leaving him dead on the spot.

The robbers also stabbed Naresh and his two sons – Bidhan and Mrinal – as they tried to resist the robbers. l

A Narayanganj court yesterday took deposition of two witnesses in the seven-murder case in presence of the 23 arrested suspects in the case.

District and Sessions Judge Syed Enayet Hossain took the deposition of witnesses Selina Islam Beauty, wife of slain Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and Bijoy Kumar Paul, son-in-law of slain lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker.

On April 27, Nazrul Islam, his three associates and driver were abducted from Fatullah area in the city. At the same time, senior lawyer of the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court Chandan Kumar

the bodies of six people, including that of Nazrul and Chandan, were recovered from the Shitalakkhya and Dhaleshwari rivers on April 30.

The body of Nazrul’s driver Jahangir was recovered from the Shitalakkhya River on May 1.

Two cases were filed in connection with the murders. Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam Beauty filed a case against six people, including former councillor Nur Hossain, while Chandan’s son-in-law Bijoy Kumar Paul filed the other case against some unknown people.

Later, Shahidul Islam, Nazrul’s father-in-law, claimed that RAB officials had killed Nazrul and oth-

plices.

The three former RAB officials were sent on forced retirement for their alleged involvement in the incident. They are now in jail. Lt Col Tareq is the son-in-law of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.

On June 14 last, West Bengal police arrested Nur Hossain and his aides from an apartment in Kolkata for illegal entry and possession of arms. The government has been working to bring back Nur to Bangladesh.

Several investigation committees were formed to look into the

DHAKA TRIBUNE

station and computerised tool plaza will be built at Bholaganj area of the road to control the heavy vehicle.

The 37-kilometre long Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road is in dire condition due to lack of maintenance and heavy usage. Under the project, a 31km road will be built and maintained. l

sensational murders. On June 4 last year, the High Court directed RAB, the government’s seven-member probe committee, the inspector general of police and the CID to submit progress reports on their investigations.

The probe body formed by RAB found 27 of its members including three top officials of RAB 11 unit involved in the incident.

RAB in its report submitted to the High Court in December last year said the three sacked officials had acted on their own.

It says RAB headquarters and intelligence wing tried to rescue the victims alive but failed because Lt Col Tareq had concealed information from the headquarters. l

DT

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News

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Intra-AL feud rising in Khagrachhari Majumder, n Jasim Khagrachhari Panic has gripped the residents of the hill districts as two factions of Khagrachhari district Awami League (AL) are often locked in clashes over establishing supremacy in the locality.

The factions have clashed at least 17 times in the last month, leaving over 50 leaders and activists of both sides injured. A total of 20 cases were filed, accusing hundreds people of both factions.

District AL party office sources said the party leaders were divided over the selection of the Khagrach-

hari municipality mayoral candidate.

District AL President and running lawmaker Kujendra Lal Tripura and some leaders had chosen Md Shaney Alam as their AL-backed candidate. Meanwhile, district AL General Secretary Md Jahedul Alam and some other leaders had rejected Shany Alam, pointing to him as an outsider seeking advantage.

Later, Md Rafiqul Alam, the younger brother of the general secretary, contested in the municipality election as an independent candidate and defeated Shaney Alam with a large number of votes.

The leaders of both sides then started a face-off immediately after

the victory of Md Rafiqul Alam in the last municipality election held on December 30, 2015.

AL factional clashes are now shifting between the groups of Kujendra Lal Tripura and Mayor Md Rafiqul Alam. Nearly every day, both groups march in the area as a mark of a showdown and to show their muscle power.

Vice-President of district AL Rono Bikrom Tripura, the spokesperson of the MP group, alleges that General Secretary of Jahedul Alam, his younger brother Didarul Alam, was suspended from the district committee before the municipality election was held, and it is

not possible to back both leaders inside the party.

Pointing to the general secretary’s other younger brother and running municipality Mayor Rafiqul Alam as a godfather, Rono Bikrom Tripura said his cadres were often attacked by the party men who injure and hospitalise them without any cause. The hill town residents are in a panic due to the cadre group of the mayor.

Khagrachhari Municipality Mayor Md Rafiqul Alam, brushing aside the allegation by Rono Bikrom Tripura, said district AL President Kujendra Lal Tripura and his Senior Vice President Rono Bikrom Tripu-

ra have a cadre group as well.

“The rest house of Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) now holds criminals under the shelter of both of the top leaders,” said Rafiqul Alam, requesting police to take action against the criminals.

Superintendent of Khagrachhari district Md Mazid Ali admitted to the residents being panicked and terrified due to the two AL factions.

“We have received many cases against unruly AL men, and are investigating them,” said SP Md Mazid Ali. “Action will be taken against those who are actually found guilty,” he added. l

Classes at Premier University resume

n Tribune Report The academic activities have resumed at Premier University yesterday.

The private university run by Chittagong City Corporation was shut down following a factional clash between two groups of students on March 29 where Nasim Ahmed Sohel, an MBA student of Premier University and a member of Chhatra League’s Chittagong city unit, was stabbed to death on the university’s Dampara campus in the city.

Ahmed Rajib Chowdhury, proctor of Premier University, told the Dhaka Tribune that the academic activities resumed yesterday.

“However, classes did not resume on the BBA campus located in city’s Dampara area,” said Chowdhury who is also a teacher of the university.

Following the murder incident, the police arrested five students of the university identified as Ashraful Islam, 23, Tamim Ul Alam Tamim, Wahiduzzaman Nishan, Ziaul Haider Chowdhury, and SM Golam Mostafa. l

Blocking the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at Rupganj, Narayanganj garment workers stage demonstration for salary yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

BNP loses seats in UP polls due to factional conflict Correspondent, n Our Chapainawbganj

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has lost seats in recent union council elections in Gomostapur upazila under the district due to factional conflict.

Local sources said Awami Leage bagged six seats of chairman post while BNP got one seat and an independent candidate bagged one seat out of eight. The election was held on March 31.

The sources said BNP rebel can-

didates had got more votes than the party nominated candidates.

In Alinagar union, BNP nominated Israfil Haque as their candidate in the chairman post while Anwarul Islam, another BNP candidate fought the election as independent candidate in the post as he thought that he was deprived of the party. Israfil got 2,848 votes and Anwarul got 2,687 votes. On the other hand, Awami League candidate won the election and he got 3,081 votes. There was no rival candidates of Awami League.

In Banagbari, BNP candidate Shahidul Islam got 5,391 votes while BNP rebel candidate Monirul Islam earned 871 votes. Awami League candidate Md Saderul Islam bagged 6,958 votes and won the seat.

In Radhanagr, BNP nominated candidate Moktarul Haque got 4,738 votes and its rebel candidate Matiur Rahman got 7,303 votes.

Awami League candidate Mamunur Rashid was elected chairman after he got 10,857 votes.

In Parbatipur, Iasin Ali from

BNP vied the election and he got 5,909 votes. The rebel candidate of the party got 7,768 votes. Liakat Ali Khan from Awami League was elected chairman getting 7,944 votes.

In Rahanpur, BNP candidate Golam Rabbani got 604 votes and its rebel candidate Moniruzzaman earned 4,964 votes. Awami League candidate Shah Jahan Ansari was elected chairman after he got 5,680 votes.

The upazila unit BNP president Bahairul Islam said in the upazila,

BNP had lost the seats as it had not nominated the candidates who had been working in root level and popular to the people.

BNP vice-president Moazzem Hossain said the party had done a serious mistake depriving the root level candidates.

Tareque Ahmed, Bahanpur municipality mayor and general secretary of BNP said there was stronghold of the party in the upazila.

“In spite of having more votes, BNP had lost the seats in UP polls due to factional conflict,” he said. l

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DT

Tech

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

9.7 is the greatest Apple’s new iPad Pro is the best they have ever produced

n Mahmood Hossain While folks go nuts over the new Samsung S7 Edge and equal joy over the iPhone SE, the new Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch has gone slightly under the radar. The new iPad makes for one heck of a statement.

This tablet makes sure that devices in this size still can lure in the average consumer. Tablets, believe it or not, are still relevant.

The trend of Apple continuing to produce the best tablets can be seen in their latest release.

The new iPad Pro is a smaller version of last year’s 12.9-inch juggernaut. Before you go ahead to jot down the specs of this device, there’s one thing you should keep in mind. This tablet is for those

who are looking for a completely new tablet right now. If you’ve got yourself an iPad Air 2, you’re better off holding onto it and not get sucked into buying a new one.

Unless of course, you are really eager to play around with the new drawing features enabled by Apple’s stylus called the Pencil, which is sold separately.

Improvements

Strangely enough, there are key improvements in the smaller 9.7inch tablet than found in the 12.9inch of 2015. While most people won’t make too much of a deal with of it, it has a new and better camera. The 12-megapixel rear camera is fantastic and can record in 4K video with a real flash. The

5-megapixel front facing camera also has a Retina Flash. Why is this significant? Well, because these are the same features found in the iPhone 6S. It may seem odd for people taking photos and videos with tablets, but you never know when you actually might need it.

The iPad Pro also has a magnificent display. Sure, it’s the same resolution as the older iPad Air 2, but there is now better glare reduction, brightness boost and TrueTone automatic colour adjustment. The antiglare, brightness and colour temperature adjustments makes the display better outdoors or even indoors.

With significant improvements, the battery remains solid. The battery life for this model is the same as the iPad Air 2 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. You’ll crank out about 10 hours of use, which

means you can spend slightly over 50 percent of battery in a single day with plenty left over.

Drawbacks

Don’t get it wrong, the device is a solid work of technology, but it lacks in certain departments.

This new model as the same A9X processor but it runs a little behind the 12.9-inch version in the benchmark tests. Unfortunately, it also has half the RAM of the larger version. With only 2GB of RAM it can make your experience in multitasking a bit difficult.

Most likely, you won’t run into too much trouble in that portion of the device, but having that robust 4GB of RAM in the 12.9-inch version helps immensely. The same goes for its display’s pixels. Smaller screen means same pixel density but fewer pixels. But again, that

It may seem odd for people taking photos and videos with tablets, but you never know when you actually might need it

shouldn’t be a huge issue with the average tablet user.

With the specs in check, the biggest drawback is still probably the prices of the new models.

Just because it’s smaller, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll get any cheaper. The 9.7-inch model is still expensive; it still costs more than the previous iPad Air versions.

Look at it this way, you may end up spending over TK90,000 for the ridiculous 256GB model of the new iPad Pro. Think about it now. You can actually get yourself a premium quality laptop for that kind of dough. Regardless, there is no device like this in the market for the moment.

Verdict

Clearly, this tablet isn’t for everyone. However, the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro is definitely the best the company has ever produced. The size, and believe it or not, the price really does it justice. For some, this can be your luxurious alternative to a laptop, falling in the same pit as the Microsoft Surface Pro. We can only see improvements in this division of the tech market. It may not be for the masses, but there’s a keen percentage of the tech demographic who would jump at the chance to regularly use a device like the new iPad Pro. l

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Tech

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

10 lesser known apps students shouldn’t live without n Rad Sharar Bin Kamal Any.do Another to-do-list creator, this app allows your notes to be accessible from anywhere in the planet with any device, but that’s not the point here. You can change the priority of your entries, mark a task as completed, or the coolest bit, shake your device to scratch all completed tasks away. The widget option on the home screen makes life easier to keep track of as well.

Mailbox Swipe in your commands to clean your inbox, archive the mails you’ve already read, set important reminders and work with multiple emails simultaneously. Mailbox allows you to stay on the top of your inbox despite the constant stream of incoming messages hording in, with an interface worth loving.

how an answer came up in the first place, you can always refer back to the dumbed down steps provided.

EasyBib When asked to create a list of citations (in MLA or APA style), the resulting groans and wails have finally gotten an answer from the gods. Just enter a book’s title into this app and boo-ya! All you have to do is copy this citation into your bibliography.

and make-up class schedule. You can put in lecture notes too, along with much more.

picture of the text you need, and then convert this picture into a PDF file. Simple!

Studious If your mom doesn’t cut it, this app will remind you of every assignment deadline, class timing

Snap2PDF This app does one thing and one thing only - convert your pictures into PDFs, instantly. Just take a

Clear We all know how organised you are, and also aware of the multiple to-do-lists you keep for notes,

essays, parties, make-up and whatnot. It does get tiresome to keep track of them all though, for which this app comes in handy.

It syncs all your to-do lists with other devices and makes it easier for you to access them wherever you are.l

CARTOON

Feed.ly With a life more complicated than a tornado, it seems almost impossible to keep track of what’s going on with the rest of the world. Feed.ly takes care of that, boasting one of the best RSS aggregations. It lets you bring together all news you wish to read into one feed. Just check the news you would like to receive, and get notifications every time something cool comes up. Easy.

Scribd Well, this is the world largest online library. People share their resources and data from all over the world, and you have the opportunity to find them all cocooned into one screen at your disposal. Research was never this easy.

Cliffsnotes This app is a godsend for students who study literature and are required to write papers on the things they’ve read. It provides information on every plot, theme, character and summary (chapter wise, yes) you will ever need to ace a book report. Audio versions are also available if reading isn’t your thing at all.

Mathway This is an app to guide you stepby-step while you search for algebra, geometry, or any other math solution. Enter your task into the application, and check if your solution is the same with one offered. If you’re unsure about

CARTOON: SYED RASHAD IMAM TANMOY

DT

Editorial 11

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

INSIDE

The other side of Adamjee Contrary to what many of us may have thought, the story of Adamjee did not end 10 years ago when the looms and spindles of the world’s largest jute mill finally went silent PAGE 12

Germany can take that smug look off its face Research shows that Germany is far more similar to the US in economic terms than most people might imagine PAGE 13

Crashing against the theocratic train We can only thrive when we welcome all people, from all walks of life, into our collective arms, and revel in the various differences they bring with them.

There is so much to be learnt from other humans, for that is, in the end, all they are PAGE 14

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/ DhakaTribune.

The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors alone. They do not purport to be the official view of Dhaka Tribune or its publisher.

BIGSTOCK

Good education needs to look beyond exams alone

O

ver 1.2 million children are sitting HSC examinations this month.

As competition and entrant numbers rise, it is vital for the nation that more emphasis be placed on improving quality.

Higher enrollment levels in primary schools are being undermined by high dropout rates and poor attendance in many areas. At the other end of the spectrum, it is concerning that academics at leading universities and major employers still express doubts about the calibre of some undergraduates.

The government needs to do more to ensure the education system properly meets all the future needs of students.

The true test of a good quality education is its ability to spark curiosity and teach students how to think critically and to solve problems.

Much of our education system fails to meet this fundamental goal.

Funding is certainly part of the problem. Bangladesh’s education budget falls far below the levels invested by other nations such as Brazil which has set a target to double education spending to 10% of GDP by 2020.

Most public schools in the nation suffer from poor facilities, and outdated teaching systems which do little to stimulate creativity and inculcate the skills children need to apply their knowledge in the real world.

However, as well as raising spending and rooting out neglect, the government and educators also need to replace the unimaginative and poorly delivered curricula which hold many children back.

The education system as a whole needs to get away from a mind-numbing emphasis on rote learning.

Young people need to be enabled to become more analytical, creative, and adaptable in applying their learning.

Educational institutions must get better at equipping all students with the tools they need to succeed in life.

A narrow focus on test scores alone is not enough.

Improve quality and develop problem solving skills to equip students better for the future

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DT

Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

The other side of Adamjee A story not of the death of assets, but of their re-birth

n Akhtar Mahmood

I

n 2002, the Adamjee Jute Mill was closed down. The largest jute mill in the world, the nation’s pride, finally shut its doors. As the humming of the looms went silent and the workers packed their bags, Bangladeshis had conflicting emotions.

In a country where the importance of resource reallocation for a dynamic economy had not yet been fully understood, this was considered by many a failure, a national disgrace almost. Others, aware of the huge subsidies needed each year to keep the losing concern afloat, heaved a sigh of relief.

Both groups shared one concern though; they both had empathy for the plight of the workers who lost their jobs. And, of course, many did -- about 26,000 by official count, although real job losses may have been lower because there were many “ghost” workers on Adamjee’s payroll.

For many of us, that is where the story of Adamjee ends. But, as one story ended, another began.

The government of the day decided to construct an industrial park on the hallowed lands of the Adamjee Jute Mills. A sound decision by all means, except in the details. The responsibility for implementing the project was given to the Bangladesh Cottage and Small Industries Corporation (BCSIC), which had built and was operating about 60 industrial parks all over the country.

Many of these industrial parks were in bad shape. Some were not much more than grazing grounds for animals; others had a fair mix of factories but the infrastructure

was poor, and services abysmal.

BSCIC complained that it was starved of funds. Others pointed to the low capacity of this government agency. Both were correct. Not surprisingly, the project was not going anywhere.

In that context, someone reminded the government of one of its relatively well-run agencies, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, known more widely by its acronym BEPZA. Why not hand this over to BEPZA with the mandate to turn this into an export-processing zone?

After all, the much sought-after EPZs in Savar and Chittagong were quickly running out of space and

Contrary to what many of us may have thought, the story of Adamjee did not end 10 years ago when the looms and spindles of the world’s largest jute mill finally went silent

the investors were not yet keen to go to the three EPZs that had been built in northern Bangladesh.

It should take much less effort to convert the Adamjee Jute Mill to an EPZ than to build one from scratch.

The land was there and so was much of the infrastructure. Even many of the factory buildings of Adamjee were still suitable for industrial operations with just some refurbishment needed here and there. The ones that were no longer fit had to be demolished and spaces cleaned up. To their credit, the responsible government

officials took the advice to heart and moved promptly to provide BEPZA with the mandate. Anyone aware of inter-agency turf battles in government, which often paralyse decision-making, would appreciate that this required some courage and pro-activeness on the part of some senior policy-makers and bureaucrats.

Once BEPZA was given the mandate, it moved fast. Investors, hungry for land, were lining up. By the time the Adamjee EPZ formally opened its doors in 2006 as the country’s seventh EPZ, most of the plots on offer had already been

taken up by export-oriented, foreign, or joint-venture companies.

Once again, the place reverberated with the humming of machines, the footsteps of workers, and the growls of trucks carrying raw materials and finished goods. But these were the sounds of the future, not echoes of the past. It was no longer a place desperately trying to hold on to an enterprise whose time had passed, but one that was home to companies that were going to break new ground.

It was, perhaps, fitting that one of the first tenants of the EPZ was a manufacturer of home textiles -- a new product line for Bangladesh.

The EPZ had the promise of being filled with competitive enterprises which would add not subtract, value, which would contribute to, not take away from, the national exchequer, where the jobs created will be real, and where future prospects would count, not the legacy of the past.

About a decade later, that promise has been more than fulfilled. Not just in the Adamjee EPZ but also in the Karnaphuli EPZ in Chittagong, which has a similar past -- it was developed around the same time on the grounds of the Chittagong Steel Mill, another huge state-owned enterprise that was closed down. The charts below tell it all.

In the 10 years of its existence (ie till the end of FY 2015), the Adamjee EPZ had seen a cumulative investment of $316 million. For Karnaphuli EPZ, which opened its doors a year later, the corresponding figure is $373m (figures from BEPZA web site).

This substantial investment has resulted in huge job creation. By the end of June 2015, 40,000 jobs had been created in the Adamjee EPZ, 14,000 more than what was lost when Adamjee Jute Mills

closed a decade earlier. Karnaphuli EPZ has added another 55,000 jobs. And this is not the end of it, since more will happen in the coming years.

This, then, is the other side of the Adamjee story. Contrary to what many of us may have thought, the story of Adamjee did not end 10 years ago when the looms and spindles of the world’s largest jute mill finally went silent.

In fact, for that matter, not all the machines of Adamjee have died.

Another little-known story has been enacted in northern Bangladesh where several small jute spinning mills have been set up, largely to serve the Indian market, using machinery from Adamjee. While the production of traditional jute products, such as hessian and sacking, has gone down, that of jute twine, largely a private sector activity, has increased significantly in the last 10-15 years.

The conversion of the Adamjee Jute Mill to an export processing zone, and the use of some of its machinery to set up small jute spinning mills in northern Bangladesh, are great examples of the reallocation of resources that lies at the heart of a dynamic economy.

Just a few blocks from where I am writing this note, is the University of Vienna, where Joseph Schumpeter, the great Austrian economist, once taught.

Schumpeter had coined the term “creative destruction,” arguing how building something new often rested on the destruction of the old. He would have been impressed with the Adamjee story -- of how the shutting down of an enterprise did not mean the death of assets, but rather their re-birth. l Akhtar Mahmood works for an international development agency.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Germany can take that smug look off its face The yawning income gap is just one of Germany’s many problems

Putin’s dystopian Russia could serve as a warning for Merkel’s Germany

n Lucian Kim

I

f a Der Spiegel cover is any indication of the mood in Germany, then Europe’s largest country is on the verge of an explosion. Two weeks ago, the news magazine highlighted the country’s growing income inequality in a cover story on “the divided nation.” The cover photo showed a couple in a gilded room with a dozen other people stooped in a claustrophobic cellar below them.

Last week, the magazine featured the “uprising of the Wutbuerger” -- a new German term combining the words for “rage” and “citizen” -- to describe people mad as hell about the political status quo. The headline screamed: “You guys up there are just lying to us all” over a paint-spattered image of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

A yawning wealth gap and a voter rebellion nobody wanted to admit existed -- aren’t unique to the United States. Across the industrialised world, the middle class is finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, while the losers of globalisation are channelling their aggression into fringe politicians who know who’s to blame. Modern Germany, a paragon of social peace and political moderation, is no exception.

“We have reached a tipping point,” the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned last year.

Income inequality in the 34 member countries is at its highest level in the past half century, the OECD said in a report. The average income of the richest 10% of the

population is nine times that of the poorest 10% across the OECD, up from seven times 25 years earlier.

There is a time-tested European tradition of sneering at the crassness of American capitalism and the blowhards it produces.

But Germans in particular are discovering that their society is not as equitable as they once believed, nor immune to the blather of populists. In the decades following World War II, West Germany built up its fabled social welfare system in part to compete with communist East Germany and in part to form a bulwark against the type of extremism that had given rise to Adolf Hitler. Consensus became a byword for the German way of doing politics.

After the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and German reunification in 1990, the assumption was that the successful West German model would simply be transferred to the eastern half of the country.

But as Germany struggled in an increasingly global economy, Merkel’s predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, slashed social benefits as part of a sweeping reform to make the country more competitive.

Unemployment dropped, and the working poor emerged. Large parts of the former East Germany failed to catch up with the West, and an angry underclass that felt cheated by the promises of democracy was created.

Research shows that Germany is far more similar to the US in economic terms than most people might imagine. Germany’s socalled Gini coefficient, a measure of income disparity, is 76 -- closer to the 80 in the United States than

REUTERS

a group calling itself Pegida, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident, began holding rallies in the eastern city of Dresden. The protests, which kept growing in size, were directed at Merkel’s government, “the lying press,” and foreigners seeking shelter and opportunity in Europe.

The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, a eurosceptic party founded in the middle of the Greek debt crisis, seized on Pegida’s message of discontent and re-purposed itself to fight the establishment on the back of anti-immigrant sentiment. In 2014, the upstart party was voted into three state assemblies in eastern Germany.

Since regional elections last months, the AfD is represented in half the country’s state legislatures

terrorism, and the arrogance of the powers-that-be.

Both gain strength in the electronic echo chambers afforded by social media. Railing against political correctness is a substitute for policy-making. In Germany, as in the United States, bashing migrants -- particularly Muslims -- is most popular where there are relatively few of them.

The reaction of German and US elites is also similar: Disregard, disavowal, disbelief.

When The New York Times columnist David Brooks confessed last month that he was “not socially intermingled” with Trump supporters and “did not listen carefully enough,” he could have been speaking about the attitude toward the AfD taken by the editorial boards of Germany’s

Research shows that Germany is far more similar to the US in economic terms than most people might imagine. Germany’s so-called Gini coefficient, a measure of income disparity, is 76 -- closer to the 80 in the United States than the 69 across the euro zone. In a Morgan Stanley ranking of 20 industrialised countries, Germany came in as the sixth most unequal, right after the US

the 69 across the euro zone. In a Morgan Stanley ranking of 20 industrialised countries, Germany came in as the sixth most unequal, right after the US, preceded by Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal.

Marcel Fratzscher, head of the German Institute for Economic Research, isn’t only concerned about income inequality in Germany; he also worries about systemic barriers to social mobility. “I don’t have a problem with the top 10%,” Fratzscher told Die Zeit. “I have a problem that the bottom 40% are being left behind.”

Robust economic indicators and government transfers to the working poor mask the dire state of affairs, according to Fratzscher.

Germany’s political class prefers to spend an extra 10 billion Euro on social benefits to paper over disparities than to invest in education and infrastructure, he said. “We’ve long become a society of classes, if not castes.”

Germany’s socio-economic polarisation is finding political expression. In the autumn of 2014, a full year before the refugee crisis swept Germany,

and aims to enter parliament in next year’s national vote.

“The conventions governing Germany’s political interactions are changing with incredible speed,” Dirk Kurbjuweit, deputy editor of Der Spiegel, wrote in a recent essay. The two-party dominance by the centre-right Christian Democrats and centre-left Social Democrats is under threat.

A poll by the magazine found that 57% of Germans agreed with the statement: “Those guys up there will do whatever they want anyway, and my opinion doesn’t count.” Among AfD supporters, 88% agreed. With more than 255,000 “likes,” the AfD has more Facebook followers than the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats combined. Facebook has become a popular forum for people who feel their opinions are ignored by traditional media.

The similarities between supporters of the AfD and the insurrection led by Donald Trump inside the Republican Party are hard to ignore. Both movements are a visceral reaction to voters’ fears about immigration,

leading news organisations.

Liberal societies are at risk in times of economic uncertainty.

The political centre is stable when the middle class is strong.

But if enough people feel they’re losing out, social conflict becomes inevitable. Populists feed on and drive polarisation.

The kind of illiberal paradise that the likes of the AfD or Trump espouse already exists. Russia today offers a dystopian vision of a country run by an omnipotent leader where urban liberals have been shut up, the middle class is a demographic sliver between the super-rich and a vast underclass, and “patriotic” media spew fear and hate around the clock.

Incidentally, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ran for his third term, one of his slogans was “Together to a great Russia.” l Lucian Kim has been reporting from Germany, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union since 1996.

He has covered conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Georgia and Ukraine.

This article has been syndicated from Reuters.

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Crashing against the theocratic train Do we really need a state religion?

n SN Rasul

N

ot to pretend to be the Bengali Nostradamus, but a week after writing about how Jumma prayers are taking over our streets, being representative of the way one religion has superseded the rest, a High Court ruling cements that in further permanency.

Within the dynamics of a nation that works under the auspices of a secularist non-God, having a state religion, which we’ve had since 1988, is unacceptable.

Or so said prominent Bangladeshi individuals such as Begum Sufia Kamal, Professor Kabir Chowdhury, Major General Chitta Ranjan Datta (Bir Uttam), and journalist Foyez Ahmed, among others, in a writ petition challenging the provision which recognises Islam as the state religion. That, too, was back in 1988.

The petition was lost and forgotten, one imagines, gathering dust in some filing cabinet, much like the ideas of secularism they boasted. That is, until a Supreme Court lawyer brought it up again, bringing it back to the forefront of the national consciousness.

As soon as this was brought to light, as expected, members of Hefazat-e-Islam and Jamaat-eIslami gathered to protest.

If Bangladesh lost its state religion, they said they would lay down their lives to protect it. O, lovers of Islam, hear us, they cried, for we will not stand back as the one true Way is defeated at the hands of Evil!

Oh, how far we’ve come, only to fall so hard, so fast, giving in to the ways of violence and terror.

If the state won’t protect us from each of its citizen’s rights to have a personal belief system, what hope do we have, the naysayers to the 28-year-old status quo?

Yes, the High Court ruled against the writ petition, enforcing further that yes, Bangladesh, you have a religion, whether you like it or not, whether your formation as a free and independent nation came about as a result of something as beautifully universal as language or not, whether your citizens comprise a gorgeous variety of Muslims (Sunnis and Shias), Hindus, Christians, In-Betweeners, and non-believers or not.

You, Bangladesh, will bow down to what the majority does, for really, there is strength is numbers, and we, the ubiquitously stronger, will crush you into conformism.

Islam stays as state religion, says the law To be fair to this glorious country of ours, it is perhaps one of the best when it comes to “Islamic” countries, which, I think, it is fair to call it as such after this, even without quotation marks.

Day-to-day, minorities perhaps face little to no discrimination.

Women are still allowed to wear the kind of clothes they wish (to a certain extent), and there aren’t daily killings of Hindus and Christians (though, slowly, steadily, there are murmurs of incidents, bursts of life-endings).

But if this is addressed to anyone, it is to the moderates, the will-pray-five-times-a-day-butstill-have-premarital-relationships Muslims who do, in fact, make up the majority of our populace.

For it is with that in mind that most stay silent. Islam is, after all, followed by most. Clearly, majority rules, right? That is the definition of a democracy, no? Why must we make an excuse in this case, when we’re choosing an official religion of the state?

Why? Because the majority isn’t always right, which is one of democracy’s major flaws.

The majority wasn’t right when slavery was legal, when women weren’t allowed to vote, when

BIGSTOCK

We can only thrive when we welcome all people, from all walks of life, into our collective arms, and revel in the various differences they bring with them. There is so much to be learnt from other humans, for that is, in the end, all they are

homosexuality was/is a crime, when freedom of speech was suppressed, when segregation was prominent, and not now, when a country is, once again, veering towards a religion of the state.

When Hefazat and Jamaat took to the streets, they had 13 demands. Some of them were an anti-blasphemy law and a ban on the intermingling of men and women.

Is this the future we want to head towards? It takes but one step in the wrong direction before we find ourselves running at full speed, unable to stop ourselves from crashing against that oftfeared theocratic train.

The Islamic State of Bangladesh, when it reaches

fruition as a full-grown, fully realised entity, will not be kind to you, the middlers. Whether or not you have a religion, ask yourselves: Do you value your right to think and act freely? Do you feel pleasure at seeing your children happy with their group of friends?

Do you feel pride as your daughter reaches the heights of academic, corporate, scientific excellence, the world at her fingertips? Do you enjoy a stroll through the park, watching couples intertwined in embraces?

Or at least, the freedom that they have to do so?

Even if you don’t, at least recognise that religion, in whatever form, must remain at its

core, personal to the individual.

It cannot be forced upon a nation, especially one consisting of such a diverse history as ours, culturally interspersed with the likes of Rabindranath Tagore and Michael Madhusudhan Dutt.

We can only thrive when we welcome all people, from all walks of life, into our collective arms, and revel in the various differences they bring with them.

There is so much to be learned from other humans, for that is, in the end, all they are: Another human being, reaching out, hoping to be cradled in the bosom of the country it calls home. l SN Rasul is a Sub-Editor at the Dhaka Tribune. Follow him @snrasul.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

INSIDE BGMEA against publishing names of defaulting factories online

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association said if the Alliance published names of garment factories that had failed to make adequate progress in improvement of workplace safety on its website, it would hurt their image and business. PAGE 16

Kuwait: Producer coordination would stabilise oil prices Kuwait said Sunday that an agreement on coordination between major OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers at a meeting in Doha in midApril would help stabilise crude prices. PAGE 17

India’s central bank focuses on getting lenders to pass on its rate cuts

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is embarking on an experiment to remove much of the discretion the country’s commercial banks have to set lending rates and force them to base borrowing costs on prevailing market rates. PAGE 18

Capital market snapshot: Monday DSE Broad Index

4,431.7

1.2% ▲

Index

1,068.8

1.0% ▲

30 Index

1,678.1

1.6% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

4,903.9

31.1% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

142.8

21.5% ▲

All Share Index 13,649.6

1.3% ▲

30 Index

2.0% ▲

CSE

Selected Index

12,303.8 8,291.7

1.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk

422.2

43.5% ▲

Turnover in Mn Vol

15.5

56.7% ▲

Govt set to slash ADP over 9% Revised annual development programme to be placed before NEC today n Kayes Sohel The government is set to slash the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) by over 9% due to slow implementation of development projects.

The National Economic Council (NEC) is likely to approve a Tk88,000 crore Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) in its meeting today.

The proposed RADP was Tk9,000 crore or 9.3% down from Tk97,000 crore which the government targeted to spend in improving standard of the people’s life for the fiscal year 2015-16.

Earlier, the Planning Ministry proposed the RADP outlay to place at the NEC for seeking approval at its extension meeting with Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.

Of the total proposed RADP, the government will provide Tk58,000 crore, down 6% from original allocation of Tk61,660 crore, and donors over Tk29,000 crore, down 17% from original allocation of Tk34,160 crore, according to the draft RADP. For this fiscal year, ADP consists of 1,215 projects, including state-funded 125 under 53 different ministries and divisions.

In setting the RADP, the government planned to cut fund allocation both from internal and external sources.

Around Tk34,500 crore was allocated from the external sources like development partners and the

Poor women in rural Bangladesh. The government proposes revised ADP with 9.3% down from Tk97,000 crore, which was targeted to spend in improving standard of the people’s life AFP rest Tk62,500 crore from the internal sources in the current ADP. The expenditure from project assistance was much lower than that of the government-funded projects, which has left billions of dollars as foreign assistance unutilised, source said.

At present, the unutilised concessional foreign assistance has crossed US$18 billion-mark, according to the ERD data.

Officials said the public agencies performed worst in spending the project aid in proportion to the funds from the government inter-

nal resources in the current fiscal.

The transport sector will get the highest allocation of around Tk19,640 crore, followed by the education and religious sector Tk9,901.74 crore.

Of other major allocation sectors, power will receive around Tk15296 crore, physical planning, water supply and housing over Tk9,507 crore, rural development institution around Tk8,120 crore, agriculture over Tk4,284 crore and the health, nutrition, population and family welfare around Tk5407 crore.

In the previous fiscal year, the government trimmed over Tk20,000 crore in framing RADP, down 25% from the original ADP outlay of Tk80,314 crore.

The government in first eight months of the current fiscal year spent 34% to Tk34,674 crore out of the entire annual allocation of TK97,000 crore, according to Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division.

The current ADP consists of 1,215 projects, including own-funded ones, under 53 ministries and divisions. l

Cash incentives raised for leather-textile-shrimp exports n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has increased its cash incentives for leather, textile and shrimp exporters.

It increased the incentive for export of leather goods to 15% from 12.50%.

The increased aid will be effective only in case of exporting leather products through cargo during the financial year 2015-16 as per government decision, said a BB circular issued yesterday.

According to the circular, the previous applications for cash incentive against the exported leather goods, which have already been settled during this financial year, will also be entitled to get an additional 2.50% cash aid.

However, the exporters will have to submit applications for the ad-

ditional cash assistance within 30 days from the date of issuing the circular.

“All the authorised dealers will settle the claim of the additional cash assistance on the basis of the audited certificate to support the application,” said the circular.

In another circular, the central bank also enhanced the existing ceiling of cash aid against the frozen shrimp and other fishes.

The ceiling of cash incentive for frozen shrimp has been increased to US$4.98 per pound from $3.79 and for other fishes to $1.97 from $1.10, according to the circular.

The government has also increased cash incentive for the export of RMG goods and textile products through cargo shipment

to 4% from existing 2%, said another BB circular issued on the same day.

The exporters, who already received 2% cash incentive dur-

ing the current financial year, will also get the additional 2% incentive subject to submit applications within 30 days from the issuing date of the circular. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

BGMEA against publishing names of defaulting factories online n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association said if the Alliance published names of garment factories that had failed to make adequate progress in improvement of workplace safety on its website, it would hurt their image and business.

The body yesterday sent a letter to James F Moriarty, a board member of Alliance, requesting him to abstain from publishing the names online.

The letter was sent following a meeting with the Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety, a retailers

platform for North American buyers, at the BGMEA headquarters in Dhaka earlier on the day.

The meeting also discussed some disputed issues regarding the remediation process and inspection.

The BGMEA also decided to place the issue to the steering committee meeting of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety to be held at the end of the month.

The Alliance has cut business ties with a number of RMG factories for their failure in remediation progress as per the prescription of the retailers platform.

As of yesterday, the Alliance has

cut business relationship with 60 RMG factories.

“We have sent letter through email to James F Moriarty, a director of the Alliance, requesting him not to publish on the Alliance website the names of those defaulting RMG factories that failed to do enough in remediation,” BGMEA Vice-President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said If the names of those factories were made public, it would hurt their business and tarnish the image.

After the meeting with the Alliance management in Bangladesh,

Moriarty’s cooperation has been sought, said the BGMEA vice-president.

“We also called for the Alliance to just inform the names of those defaulting factories to their signatory brands through email instead of posting all those names on the website,” he said.

The Alliance Managing Director M Rabin said: “We want to work with transparency and the buyers should know the names of those factories.”

“We cannot take any decision.

The board of Alliance will take the decision upon the proposal to be placed by the BGMEA leaders.” l

Evince Textiles gets IPO nod to raise Tk17cr n Tribune Report The capital markets regulator, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), yesterday gave clearance to Evince Textiles Limited to raise almost Tk17 crore through initial public offering.

The regulator in a statement said the company will issue over 17m ordinary shares. The offer value of each share is Tk10.

The regulator also approved Tk35 crore debenture with a six-year tenure of Wata Chemical The proceeds of the issue will be utilised for purchasing machinery, factory construction, strengthening capital base and meeting IPO expenses.

Its Earning Per Share is Tk1.62 and Net Asset Value Tk17.62, according to its audited report as of 2015.

The regulator also approved Tk35 crore debenture with a sixyear tenure of Wata Chemical. The characteristics of the debenture is full redemption and will have a one-year grace period. Each unit price of the debenture is Tk10.

Meanwhile, BSEC has fined each director and managing director except those independent and nominated ones of Matin Spinning Mills Limited Tk2 lakh as the regulator’s investigation found that the company deposited IPO fund as FDR in the bank and took loan against it, which is the violation of securities rules. l

Visitors look at products being displayed at the National SME Fair 2016 at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center yesterday. The five-day event will continue until Thursday RAJIB DHAR

Stocks rally sharply amid higher turnover n Tribune Report Stocks gained sharply amid the higher volume of trade yesterday, extending their gaining streak for the fifth straight session.

The market was upbeat from the very beginning due to continuous buying support from institutional investors.

The benchmark index DSEX rose over 52 points or 1.2% to settle at 4,431. During the four-day rally, the key index has gained over 100 points.

The Shariah Index DSES gained 10 points or nearly 1% to 1,068. The blue chip comprising index DS30 soared 27 points or 1.7% to 1,678.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,291, rising 108 points to 8,291. Trading activities geared up as the DSE turnover stood at Tk490 crore, an increase of 31% over the previous session.

Almost all the sectors moved up except telecommunications and food and allied, which ended marginally lower on profit booking.

After remaining under pressure for long, banks showed robust rally of 1.6% as investors reacted positively to corporate declarations by some banks like Eastern Bank Limited.

The bank has announced 20% cash and 15% stock dividend for the last year.

Other positive performers are power, non-banking financial institutions, pharmaceuticals and engineering.

Share prices of majority issues gained, as out of 319 scrips traded, 194 advanced, 81 declined and 44 stayed unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said the market showed substantial move on the back of price movements of blue chip large cap stocks. l

BTRC asks Go Broadband to submit business documents n Ishtiaq Husain Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has asked Go Broadband, a WiMAX service provider, to submit its all business documents by April 13.

The directive came in response to a complaint from Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) that the firm was doing business violating Wi-MAX guidelines.

“Go Broadband has offered optical fibre connection, violating the Wi-MAX policy guidelines of the regulatory body,” according to the complaint lodged on Feb 29.

It added the firm signed an agreement with the state-owned Sonali Bank to provide optical fibre

connection breaching the guidelines.

ISPAB said such practices by a firm were resulting in “enormous losses” for other firms in the business and affecting fair environment of service providing.

ISPAB had requested the BTRC to investigate into the alleged violations and take necessary steps to maintain fair competition among all the Internet service providers.

BTRC’s Engineering and Operations Department issued the directive to the Go Broadband asking for all agreement signing papers and the number of branches the firm was providing the services.

Go Broadband is a coordinated Wi-MAX service provider by Agni Systems Limited and ADN Tele-

com Limited in partnership with Grameenphone Ltd. The regulatory body also wanted to know about the relations among Go Broadband, Agni System Ltd, Grameenphone and ADN Telecom.

Go Broadband will now have to submit the business agreement signing copy of the three organisations to the BTRC. Grameenphone Head of External Communication Syed Talat Kamal had earlier told the Dhaka Tribune that GP was doing its business abiding by the country’s rules and regulations and providing customers with its highest services.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), also known as Internet Access Providers, is a business organ-

isation that offers the users’ access to Internet and related services.

They provide services such as internet access, internet transit, name registration and hosting, dial-up access and leased line access.

ISPAB President MA Hakim said: “The regulatory body should take stern action after proper investigation for ensuring a better business-friendly atmosphere.”

“This is a clear violation of BTRC guidelines on Wi-MAX. They have no right to provide only wireless connectivity based on Wi-MAX technology.

If they continue such illegal activities, all other ISPs will incur a huge loss as they are supposed to provide Wi-MAX services only,” said Hakim. l

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Kuwait: Producer coordination would stabilise oil prices n

AFP, Kuwait City

Kuwait said Sunday that an agreement on coordination between major OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers at a meeting in Doha in mid-April would help stabilise crude prices.

“When there is coordination between major producers in OPEC and non-OPEC countries, it will certainly help to stabilise prices,” acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh told reporters.

“We believe that a common agreement on a positive stand will serve (oil) market stability,” the minister said.

Saleh said Kuwait, OPEC’s fourth-largest producer, would attend the highly anticipated meeting in Qatar, where major producers are to discuss freezing oil production to address a supply glut that has driven down prices.

Qatar has said that 12 countries have so far agreed to attend the April 17 meeting, including the world’s top crude producers Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates, nonOPEC Oman and Bahrain, Nigeria, Algeria, Venezuela, Indonesia and Ecuador will also attend.

The Kuwaiti minister said last month that Kuwait would not agree to a freeze in production unless all major producers, including Iran, accept the output cap.

Kuwait, which sits on around 7% of global crude reserves, is currently pumping 3 million barrels per day.

Iran has so far rejected attempts to freeze production and demanded an exemption to allow it to

Kuwait’s Minister of Finance Anas al-Saleh speaks at the opening of the Euromoney Conference in Kuwait City boost exports after the lifting of sanctions under its nuclear deal with world powers.

Oil prices tumbled Friday after Saudi Arabia’s deputy crown prince Mohamed bin Salman said the kingdom, the world’s top exporter, would only freeze output if Iran and other major producers did the same.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May slid 41 cents (1.11%) to $36.38 while Brent

crude for June fell 40 cents (1.03%) to $38.27.

Brent North Sea crude for June delivery, the global benchmark, finished at $38.67 a barrel in London, down $1.66 (4.1%).

All 13 OPEC members in addition to major non-OPEC producers have been invited to the talks.

Oil prices have fallen more than 65% since mid-2014, when booming US shale oil output and supply from within and outside OPEC cre-

REUTERS

ated one of the largest global surpluses of crude in modern times.

US production is proving more resilient to low oil prices than many expected, despite steep cuts in drilling for new reserves as well as a jump in bankruptcies.

“The current rig count implies US production ... would decrease by 705,000 barrels per day yearon-year on average in 2016, and by 375,000 barrels per day in 2017,” Goldman Sachs said. l

India factory activity at eight-month high in March on strong demand n Reuters Indian manufacturing activity expanded for the third straight month in March and at the fastest pace since July, driven by stronger demand which allowed companies to raise prices, a business survey showed.

That could sway the Reserve Bank of India from cutting interest rates as expected on April 5.

The RBI adopted the rules, effective from the April 1 start of a new fiscal year, after deep frustration that it cut its key repo rate by 125 basis points last year, but banks lowered lending rates by only about 60 bps.

The RBI, keen to see monetary

policy be effective, on today is expected to cut the repo rate another 25 bps as India bids to revive investment and spur economic growth.

The Nikkei/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to an eight-month high of 52.4 in March from February’s 51.1, its third straight month above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction.

The findings “provide welcome reassurance that the sector has moved farther away from the flood-related contraction seen in December,” said Pollyanna De Lima, an economist at Markit.

Severe rainfall and flooding caused widespread destruction in

‘Inflationary pressures in manufacturing are on the upside, with cost burdens rising’

late November and early December, which constrained output to its lowest since early 2009.

The latest survey showed the new orders sub-index, a proxy for domestic demand, also rose to an eight-month high of 53.9 in March from 52.3, encouraging firms to increase output. Foreign demand

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also rose though at a slightly more moderate pace.

Stronger demand allowed firms to raise prices of their goods at the fastest pace in 16 months to make up for rising input costs, a trend likely to get some notice at the central bank.

Retail inflation is still running above the RBI’s 5% target set for March 2017 which could impact its easing cycle.

“Inflationary pressures in manufacturing are on the upside, with cost burdens rising,” said De Lima.

“This build-up in inflationary pressures may lead the Reserve Bank of India to hold off from cutting rates, especially as solid growth was seen.” l

4th Bangladesh denim expo begins on Apr 25 n Tribune Report The fourth “Bangladesh Denim Expo” will be held on April 25-26 to promote Bangladesh as the prime destination for sourcing latest designs of jeans and other denim products.

According to the Expo organiser, Bangladesh has been able to draw the attention of global retailers and brands as there was a huge response from international community in last expo.

“We are very enthusiastic about the upcoming denim expo and hope that more visitors will turn up,” according to the organiser.

Denim Expert Limited, a Chittagong-based jeans and denim products manufacturers, will host the two-day mega show at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital.

The expo aims at showcasing the latest innovative designs of jeans to the global retailers and learning about latest trends of denim from foreign exhibitors.

The main purpose of the show is to create a platform for the country’s denim manufacturers to show their strength to the global retailers, said CEO of the Expo Mostafiz Uddin.

“Through the exhibition I want to make Bangladesh the prime destination for sourcing denim and jeans as the manufacturers are entering into value-added products,” said Mostafiz, also the managing director of Denim Expert Limited.

“I dream of a Bangladeshi premium brand jeans and I want to materialise my dream through participation in fairs across the globe and acquiring knowledge about the latest fashion trend of jeans.”

Bangladesh needs to focus more on denim as $600 million are earned every year, which is much smaller in amount than the global market of $60 billion, said Mustafiz.

In the exposition, six seminars will be held on different issues. The panel discussants will share their experience about the industry that would help Bangladeshi manufacturers go on production of higher products.

A total of 49 companies, of which 37 foreign and 12 local, will participate in the exhibition. The organiser is expecting more turnout from apparel industry at home and abroad.

Currently, the industry has 26 denim fabric manufacturers with a total investment of $834 million.

It produces around 360 million yards per year to meet 45% to 50% of the total demand of 720 million yard for export yearly.

The country, however, needs to import 60% of denim fabric to meet the demand. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

India’s central bank focuses on getting lenders to pass on its rate cuts n Reuters, Mumbai The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is embarking on an experiment to remove much of the discretion the country’s commercial banks have to set lending rates and force them to base borrowing costs on prevailing market rates.

The experiment carries risks, as India periodically suffers severe cash crunches. But the rewards should be lower costs for borrowers.

The RBI adopted the rules, effective from the April 1 start of a new fiscal year, after deep frustration that it cut its key repo rate by 125 basis points last year, but banks lowered lending rates by only about 60 bps.

The RBI, keen to see monetary policy be effective, on today is expected to cut the repo rate another 25 bps as India bids to revive investment and spur economic growth.

Under the new rules, banks will need to adjust their lending rates every month based on what they offer for new fixed-rate deposits, which track short-term market rates such as for treasury bills and certificates of deposit.

veiled by the RBI that are slightly lower than existing loans.

The rules are not popular with lenders, who fear they will see their margins hit and left at the mercy of volatile market rates.

“On one hand, they expect the banks to reduce rates. On the other hand there is so much tight liquidity. RBI needs to do something to address the liquidity,” said a treasurer with a state-owned bank.

Reversing course

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan gestures as he answers a question from the audience after delivering his keynote address at a conference in New Delhi REUTERS

Periodic crunches

A hurdle for the rules will be India’s periodic cash crunches. They usually come in March, when banks and the government tend to hoard cash at the end of the fiscal year, or October when a string of festivals see large cash withdrawals.

That means the RBI will also need

to stay nimble in injecting funds, or suffer an ironic outcome: spikes in short-term market rates that force banks to raise their lending rates, regardless of how many rate cuts the central bank has delivered.

“This is a now-or-never time for monetary policy to address growth as well as liquidity concerns as we

Eurozone jobless rate falls marginally, outlook uncertain n AFP, Brussels The eurozone unemployment rate improved only marginally in February, official data showed yesterday, stoking concerns the economy could be slowing after only a modest recovery.

Analysts said that while the economy is holding up despite recent financial market volatility and concerns over the outlook for China, job gains may not be enough to help it get it through the current soft patch.

The Eurostat statistics agency said unemployment in the 19-nation eurozone fell to 10.3% in February, a four-and-a-half year low, from a revised 10.4% in January.

The January figure was originally given as 10.3% last month and analysts had expected the February jobless rate to come in unchanged at 10.3%.

Unemployment hit a record high 12.1% during the worst of the debt crisis.

Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics said Monday’s figures “suggest the labour market remains

in reasonable health although it is still too weak to generate any real inflationary pressure.”

Inflation - a key reflection of consumer demand - has bounced along the bottom for months, way short of the European Central Bank’s target of near 2%.

“Looking ahead, survey evidence suggests that the eurozone’s labour market recovery is beginning to slow,” McKeown added.

The ECB launched a massive stimulus programme in early 2015 but to little apparent effect and last month added even more unprecedented measures in an effort to get the economy back on track.

The ECB at the same time cut its eurozone growth forecasts for 2016 and 2017 to 1.4% and 1.7%, from the previous 1.7% and 1.9%, respectively.

More damaging still, it slashed its inflation estimates to just 0.1% from 1% for this year and to 1.3% from 1.6% for 2017.

Eurostat said there were 16.63 million jobless in the eurozone in February, down 39,000 from January.

The EU unemployment rate was

unchanged at 8.9% in February, it said.

The lowest jobless rates were in Germany, 4.3%, and the Czech Republic on 4.5% while the highest were in debt-laden Greece at 24% and Spain with 20.4%.

Howard Archer at IHS Global Insight said that while eurozone unemployment fell for a 15th consecutive month, “it is notable that the decline of 39,000 was the smallest drop since May 2015.

“This stokes concern that recent slower eurozone growth and softer business confidence could now be increasingly weighing down on the labour market,” Archer said in a note.

On the positive side, the improvement might encourage the consumer to spend more, which will be crucial if eurozone growth is to be able “regain momentum over the coming months after stuttering recently.”

The eurozone economy grew 0.3% in the last three months of 2015, unchanged from the previous quarter but down on the 0.4% gain of the second quarter and 0.6% in the first. l

start the fiscal year,” said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economic adviser with the country’s largest lender State Bank of India.

Already, State Bank of India, India’s biggest lender, and other lenders have announced new rates under the “marginal cost based lending rate” (MCLR) rules un-

After months of denying there was a liquidity problem, Governor Raghuram Rajan has reversed course.

Since December, the central bank has injected 720bn rupees ($10.85bn) in funds via open market bond purchases, more than the 600bn rupees total put in during the previous two years.

The RBI is also expected to announce on Tuesday more technical measures, including making it easier for banks to pledge illiquid bonds with it in exchange for cash.

Economists say the RBI will need as well to provide more details about its planned injections, rather than its current ad hoc strategy of announcing bond purchases when liquidity has excessively tightened. l

CORPORATE NEWS

National Bank Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Platinum Grand Hotel for providing the bank’s credit and debit cardholders with 50% discount on room rents and 20% discounts on food items at the hotel restaurant, said a press release.

The bank’s managing director, MA Wadud and general manager of Platinum Grand Hotel, Mohammad Ali Tinku were present at the signing ceremony

United Commercial Bank Limited has recently launched three new exclusive MasterCard payment cards, said a press release. The bank’s managing director, Muhammed Ali and country manager of MasterCard Bangladesh, Syed Mohammad Kamal were present at the launching ceremony

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Go Back To Your Customers:

The Secret Sauce For Startup Success If you want to build a loyal customer base and spread positive word of mouth advertisements about your brand, then you must create a ‘customer focus’ culture in your firm

n Mahamudul Hasan “There’s a lot of conversation throughout the entire day…about startups, funding, teams and other things. I think what everyone should aspire to is to solve the customers’ problems, rather than thinking about just raising funds. Startups think of solving consumers’ issues; investment would follow in its wake.” - Nikesh Arora, Chief Operating Officer of Softbank, India Starting a startup is hard because you are not only developing a product or service, but also managing all the business needs, like finding a place to work that isn’t your parents’ basement, managing a team, working hard to pay your bills etc. You probably spend a lot of time putting out fires and refining your product.

Once everything is stable, you may be unsure of how to proceed.

The customers of your business, particularly the early adopter group, can play an important role here to improve your business.

You should provide opportunities to your customers to tell you about their need. If you listen to your customers, they can be your great source of education. Your customers can provide you ‘great consultation service’ without any payment.

The age of customisation Nowadays customers demand

personalised attention from companies. Consumers want to interact with companies whenever they want. If you want to build a loyal customer base and spread positive word of mouth advertisements about your brand, then you must create a ‘customer focus’ culture in your firm.

Normally at the time of starting a business, entrepreneurs don’t spend significant amount of dollars in marketing a product which isn’t fully realised or ready for the market. In this situation, early adopters can play an important role by bridging the gap.

Entrepreneurs should observe who are using their product or service at an early stage, and interact with them to get feedback and suggestions. These valuable suggestions will help them to develop a marketing strategy.

The opinion of early adopters will also help entrepreneurs to prove whether they are in right track or not.

Developing a customer-centric approach Startups should give extreme efforts to develop a customer centric culture. In an article titled The Quest for Customer Focus, Ranjay Gulati and James B. Oldroyd stated that customerfocused companies consistently embrace three concepts.

Although these concepts are developed from the experience

of some large firms, nevertheless, these concepts are essential for the startups to build a customer focused culture. These concepts are: First, learning about customers at the most granular level and creating a comprehensive picture of each customer’s needs - past, present and future. Second, sharing what is learned about customers all over the firm. Finally, Utilising this insight to guide not only for product and service decisions but also for basic strategy and organisational structure as well.

Entrepreneurs should enable and enforce coordination between internal units at progressively more sophisticated levels, they should find new ways to manage the flow of information. In addition, they should develop routines for decision making that incorporate customer preferences.

Ultimately, they should shift the control of their customer-focused efforts away from a centralised hub to a more disbursed set of activities that spans the entire enterprise.

Entrepreneurs should give

customer orientation top priority in their firm. They should leave an open seat in every meeting and at every company function for their customer. They must make it clear to everyone that customers have a say at the company.

Highest efforts should be given to build a employee team who are enthusiastic to provide best customer service.

Generally in startups, the team is small. So, everyone should do at least a little bit of customer service, no matter what their job title is. The employees should feel that customers are the reason of their jobs, so they all should participate in customer service to say thanks. l Reprinted with the permission of futurestartup.com

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

DT

Downtime

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Require (4) 3 Incandescence (4) 7 Period of time (3) 8 Unwelcome task (5) 11 Tear (4) 12 Concise (5) 13 Vestment (5) 15 Ballot choice (4) 18 Starchy food (4) 19 Vital organ (5) 20 Clamour (5) 21 Quick (4) 23 Teaching periods (5) 24 Self (3) 25 Tidings (4) 26 Needy (4)

DOWN 1 Drink of the gods (6) 2 Foreign-looking (6) 4 Sheltered side (3) 5 Slowly splendid (6) 6 Bundle of notes (3) 9 Of late origin (6) 10 Before (3) 11 Amend (6) 14 Optical illusion (6) 16 Carry too far (6) 17 Rubber (6) 19 Ignited (3) 21 Marsh (3) 22 Female pig (3)

CODE-CRACKER How to solve: Each number in our CODECRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 1 represents C so fill C every time the figure 1 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

A B C DE FG H I J K L MN O P Q RST UVWXYZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

DILBERT

SUDOKU

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World 21

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

INSIDE POINTS TAKEN

Panama Papers leak: Things to know Ties between Germany and Russia enter new chill At an hour-long meeting in Moscow on March 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov irritated his German counterpart by raising the case of a German-Russian girl who said she was raped by migrants in Berlin earlier this year.

PAGE 23

What a President Clinton would do

With more than 2.6TB of data comprising more than 11.5m documents, the release of Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca’s records this week represents one of the largest data leaks in history The Panama Papers, as they are dubbed, were initially obtained by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and subsequently the subject of a yearlong investigation, led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and involving more than 100 publications from nearly 80 countries.

Here’s what you need to know--

PAGE 24

MI6 double agent Philby details life in Stasi video British double agent Kim Philby detailed his life of betrayal and the ease with which he was able to pass secrets to his Soviet controllers in newly-discovered video footage broadcast by the BBC on Monday.

PAGE 24

United Kingdom 148 Isle of Man 8 Bahamas Jersey 39 15,915 Malta 28

Wyoming 37 Nevada 1,260 British Anguilla 3,253 Belize 130 Costa Rica 78

48,360 Panama

113,648 British Virgin Islands

76 Cyprus

Ras al-Khaimah 2 (UAE)

452 Hong Kong 15,182 Seychelles

1 Singapore

What’s been leaked The millions of documents include financial records, passports and correspondence stretching back 40 years, and detail 214,000 offshore entities across more than 200 countries. Offshore accounts aren’t illegal but are often used as tax havens for money laundering and corruption. Many of these entities were reportedly found to be shell companies established in order to help several of the law firm’s clients, through more than 500 top banks worldwide, allegedly hide income and transactions worth billions of dollars.

Who’s been implicated

Democratic US presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has moved to the left in key policy areas such as trade during her primary campaign against rival US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is known for his liberal stances.

Offshore firms created by Mossack Fonseca

At least 140 offshore accounts have been linked to current and former politicians worldwide, with 12 current and former heads of state including Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, former Prime Minister of Iraq Ayad Allawi and Saudi Arabian monarch King Salman named in the list. The family members and associates of several other world leaders—Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, South African President Jacob Zuma, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to name a few— have also been implicated. Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson may face a snap election, and walked out of a recent interview when asked about his alleged dealings detailed in the Panama Papers.

The most high-profile individual tied to the leak, however, is Russian President

5,307 Samoa 9,611 Niue

52 Uruguay

New Zealand 47 854 unassigned

Source: Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Panama Papers

Vladimir Putin, whose best friend and other close associates have been named by the ICIJ investigation for allegedly having helped launder more than $2bn.

Russia said Monday that Putin is the “main target” of the document leak and not linked to any offshore activity, the Associated Press reports. Several other prominent businessmen, celebrities and sports stars were also named in the leak, including a top member of the ethics committee of football’s scandal-hit world governing body Fifa.

The law firm in the eye of the storm Founded in 1977, Mossack Fonseca is headquartered in Panama but has a presence in dozens of countries including known tax havens such as Switzerland, the British Virgin Islands and Seychelles. It specialises in helping companies and individuals set up offshore, tax exempt entities, according to its website, and is reportedly the world’s fourth largest provider of such services.

Mossack Fonseca has strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying in an initial statement to ICIJ that it conducts “a thorough due-diligence process” before helping to incorporate companies.

“In providing those services, we

This combination of pictures shows (from upper left corner) Argentina's football player Lionel Messi, British golf legend Nick Faldo, Chilean former football star Ivan Zamorano, Argentinian football player Gabriel Heinze, embattled Uefa President Michel Platini and former Fifa secretary geeneral Jerome Valcke, whose names are featured in a massive leak of documents, some of which revealing hidden offshore assets AFP follow both the letter and spirit of the law. Because we do, we have not once in nearly 40 years of operation been charged with criminal wrongdoing,” the statement adds.. “We’re proud of the

work we do, notwithstanding recent and willful attempts by some to mischaracterise it.” l

Source: ICIJ, TIME

CRUNCHING NUMBERS

Panama Papers by the numbers Ü Include 11.5m records, dating back nearly 40 years – making it the largest leak in offshore history. Contains details on more than 214,000 offshore entities connected to people in more than 200 countries and territories. Company owners in billionaires, sports stars, drug smugglers and fraudsters. Ü Reveal the offshore holdings 140

politicians and public officials around the world – including 12 current and former world leaders. Among them: the prime ministers of Iceland and Pakistan, the president of Ukraine, and the king of Saudi Arabia. Ü Document some $2bn in transactions secretly shuffled through banks and shadow companies by associates of Russian President

Vladimir Putin. Ü Include the names of at least 33 people and companies blacklisted by the US government because of evidence that they’d been involved in wrongdoing, such as doing business with Mexican drug lords, terrorist organisations like Hezbollah or rogue nations like North Korea and Iran. Ü Show how major banks have driv-

en the creation of hard-to-trace companies in offshore havens.

More than 500 banks their subsidiaries and their branches – including HSBC, UBS and Société Générale – created more than 15,000 offshore companies for their customers through Mossack Fonseca. l

Source: ICIJ

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

The Panama Papers’ disclosure of Pakistan PM Sharif n Tribune Desk

The Panama Papers, a global investigation into the sprawling, secretive industry of offshore that the world’s rich and powerful use to hide assets and skirt rules by setting up front companies in farflung jurisdictions has jolted the whole world.

The leak reveals a lot about politicians and notables in Pakistan.

According to News International, the Pakistani partner of the global investigative journalism initiative, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s children Mariam, Hasan and Hussain “were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies”.

Panama Papers leak: The Indian connection

Amitabh Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

AFP

n Tribune International Desk From film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to industrialists including DLF owner KP Singh and nine members of his family, and the promoters of Apollo Tyres and Indiabulls to Gautam Adani’s elder brother Vinod Adani have ended up in the 11m documents of the secret files of Mossack Fonseca, a law firm headquartered in tax haven Panama, known for its factory-like production of offshore companies for its worldwide clientele of the well-heeled.

Two Indian politicians who figure on the list are Shishir Bajoria from West Bengal and Anurag Kejriwal, the former chief of the Delhi unit of Loksatta Party.

These records reveal a list of individuals who have paid the firm — and bought the benefits of the secretive, lax regulatory system in which it operates — to set up offshore entities in tax havens around the world.

Over 500 Indians notable figure on the firm’s list of offshore companies, foundations and trusts. There are also 234 Indian passports (handed over by clients as part of the incorporation process), The Indian Express, which was a part of the global investigative process of this massive revelations, has reported.

The Indian federal government on Monday formed a multi-agency group to monitor exposes in this regard and vowed to take action against all “unlawful” accounts held abroad.

The list includes scores of businessmen with addresses in nondescript neighbourhoods in different parts of the country.

Addresses of individuals, in many cases, led to physical locations, but with no trace of the individual. Not just individuals, details of hitherto unknown deals, in some cases involving the government, too.

These include cricket franchise deals and, in several cases, linkages to those who have previously been under federal investigations or income tax scrutiny.

Before 2003, no Indian citizen could float an overseas entity.

But from 2004, for the first time individuals were allowed to remit funds of up to $25,000 a year under a special scheme, and this limit stands at $250,000 a year now.

In Amitabh Bachchan’s case, he was appointed director of at least four shipping companies registered in offshore tax havens and set up 23 years ago. The authorised capital of these companies ranged from just $5,000 to $50,000 but they traded in ships worth millions of dollars, according to the Indian Express.

Bachchan, who has long since resigned from the companies and has not commented on the documents, is not the only member of his family named in the leaks. His daughter-in-law, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was also director and shareholder of an offshore company, along with members of her own family, before it was thought to have been wound up in 2008, according to the newspaper.

The media adviser of the former Miss World winner has rejected the documents as “totally untrue and false.” l

Mariam is described as the owner of British Virgin Islands-based firms Nielsen Enterprises Limited and Nescoll Limited, incorporated in 1994 and 1993.

In one of the documents, the address listed for Nielsen Enterprises is Saroor Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The document, dated June 2012, describes Mariam Safdar as

the “beneficial owner.”

According to News International, Hussain and Mariam signed a document dated June 2007 that was part of a series of transactions in which Deutsche Bank Geneva lent up to $13.8m to Nescoll, Nielsen and another company, with their London properties as collateral.

In July 2014, the two compa-

nies were transferred to another agent.

Hasan Nawaz Sharif is described as the sole director of Hangon Property Holdings Limited incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in February 2007, which acquired Liberia-based firm Cascon Holdings Establishment Limited for about $11.2m in August 2007. l

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INSIGHT

SOUTH ASIA

Ties between Germany and Russia enter new chill n Reuters, Berlin At an hour-long meeting in Moscow on March 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov irritated his German counterpart by raising the case of a German-Russian girl who said she was raped by migrants in Berlin earlier this year.

After the girl’s claims were reported by Russian media in January, Lavrov accused Germany of “sweeping problems under the rug.” The Berlin public prosecutor’s office, though, said a medical examination had found the girl had not been raped.

That was why Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was so upset when Lavrov raised the issue again. “I can only hope that such incidents and difficulties, as we had in that case, aren’t repeated,” he told reporters afterwards.

The rape case is indicative of the mutual suspicion that officials from both countries say extends to the highest levels of government. At the root of those tensions lie opposing visions for Europe and the Middle East. Those rival visions have led to clashes at diplomatic negotiating tables, in cyberspace and in the media.

German and other European security officials accuse Russian media of launching what they call an “information war” against Germany. By twisting the truth in re-

ports on Germany’s migrant crisis, the officials say, Russia hopes to fuel popular angst, weaken voters’ trust in Chancellor Angela Merkel, and feed divisions in the European Union so that it drops sanctions against Moscow.

Russian officials deny their country is mounting a campaign against Germany. In February, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, denied the Kremlin had exploited the rape case to stir up tensions around immigration in Germany.

But officials in Berlin say Russia’s aim is to muddy what is true and what is not and shake Germans’ trust in Merkel. German and European officials say Russia’s aim is two-fold: To exaggerate the problems the migrant crisis is causing Germany and to push Germany to relax its backing for European sanctions on Russia over Moscow’s interference in Ukraine. While EU governments last month extended asset freezes and travel bans on Russians and Russian companies, there is less consensus on whether to prolong more far-reaching sanctions on Russia’s banking, defence and energy sectors from July.

Both sides agree on one point: relations between the two countries are at their lowest point since the early days of the Cold War. Beginning in the late 1960s, the then West Germany pursued

Suu Kyi drops 2 ministerial jobs, takes on spokeswoman role Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has dropped plans to run two major ministries but will act as spokeswoman for the country’s new president. Lawmakers from her National League for Democracy party are also pressing for a special state counsellor position for the Nobel laureate, an appointment that would allow her to liaise between the presidency and parliament.

-AFP

INDIA

Woman becomes CM in Indian Kashmir for 1st time

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, in this May 10, 2015 REUTERS a policy of ‘Ostpolitik’, which encouraged warmer ties with Russia.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the two countries grew even closer thanks to trade and cultural ties. But those ties began unraveling when Vladimir Putin returned as Russian president in 2012, and worsened further after the Ukraine crisis began in late 2013.

A German campaign?

In the rape case, Russian media reported the German-Russian girl – under German law she can only be identified as Lisa F – had been abducted by ‘Arab-looking men’ and raped repeatedly over a 30-hour period. Janis Sarts, di-

rector of the Nato Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, said Russian media continued to report that even after the Berlin authorities said the girl had not been raped.

Europe’s East StratCom Task Force has collected dozens of examples of Russian reporting on the migrant crisis that it says are clear cases of deliberate disinformation.

German daily Bild reported in March that Germany’s foreign and domestic intelligence agencies were warning of increasing Russian interference in German politics. Moscow rejects the idea of any coordinated campaign. l

Peaceful vote in W Bengal, Assam assembly polls n Tribune Desk Over 81% voter turnout was recorded in the first part of the first phase Assembly poll in West Bengal on Monday, which passed off without any major incident, according to the Election Commission.

Assam also recorded 70% voter turnout on Monday in the first phase of assembly elections, which the Election Commission said was “by and large peaceful”, with no reports of violence-related death or injury.

In West Bengal, voting took place in 18 constituencies spread over West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia which make up Jangalmahal. Polling in 13 Left Wing Extremism-affected constituencies ended early at 4pm while in others it went on till 6pm.

The Election Commission had received 537 complaints during the polling process, of which 531 were disposed of.

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World

Mehbooba Mufti was sworn in on Monday as Indian-administered Kashmir’s first woman leader, taking over from her father nearly three months after he died in office. India’s only Muslim-majority state had been ruled directly from New Delhi since the death in January of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who formed an uneasy alliance with the nationally ruling BJP after a 2015 election. -AFP

CHINA

China warns USPhilippines war games US and Philippine troops began major exercises on Monday as China’s state media warned outsiders against interfering in tense South China Sea territorial disputes. The official Xinhua news agency gave the warning as Manila and Washington launched the 11-day Shoulder-to-Shoulder exercises with a low-key opening ceremony in Manila.

-AFP

ASIA PACIFIC

Historic dengue vaccine programme launched in Philippines The world’s first public dengue vaccination programme was launched in the Philippines on Monday.

Several hundred children aged 9-10 queued in front of government health workers at a public school in eastern Manila for the injections, capping a 20-year, $1.8bn effort by French drug manufacturer Sanofi to develop the vaccine.

-AFP

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian al-Nusra Front leader killed

Indian voters queue to cast their ballots in the state assembly elections at the Karbi Anglong district in Assam on Monday Polling will be held in another 31 seats in the second part of the first phase to be held on April 11.

People came out in large numbers since early morning to exercise their franchise. Voting was held in 4,945 polling stations out of which 1,962 were classified as

‘critical’ by the EC. Though high, the voting percentage was lower than that recorded in the 2011 assembly polls in the same seats.

In Assam, the voting percentage was lower than that recorded in the 2011 assembly polls in

AFP

the same seats. In the 2011 assembly polls, the voter turnout in Assam was 75%. In the Lok Sabha polls of 2014, the figure in these constituencies was 79% in Assam. 65 of the Assam’s total 126 constituencies went to poll on Monday. l

A prominent leader in Syrian al-Qaida offshoot al-Nusra Front was killed on Sunday in a suspected Syrian or Russian air raid in the rebel held northwest province of Idlib alongside at least 20 other militants, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights have said. Abu Firas was a founding member of the militant group who fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s and was a senior member of its policy making Shura Council. He also worked with Osama bin Laden.

-THE GUARDIAN

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USA

Sanders supporters advised to avoid Trump rally The Bernie Sanders campaign is urging its supporters to stay away from a Donald Trump rally on the eve of a key Wisconsin primary that threatens to upset frontrunners in both parties. Two of the most vocal groups of activists in the 2016 presidential race will be separated by a single street in downtown Milwaukee, where a tight security presence is expected at both campaign events.

-THE GUARDIAN

THE AMERICAS

Colombia rebels free ex-governor Colombia’s second-largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), freed an ex-governor on Sunday held captive since 2013, in a new boost to peace efforts.

The government, launched peace negotiations on Wednesday with the ELN, hopes the talks with the ELN will bring it on board alongside Colombia’s other rebel force.

AFP

UK

Suicide attempts at UK immigration removal centres at all-time high The number of suicide attempts in immigration removal centres is at an all-time high, averaging more than one a day, according to official figures. The figures showed that Harmondsworth immigration removal centre near Heathrow had the highest number of suicide attempts, 105, followed by Yarl’s Wood with 64. Yarl’s Wood in Bedfordshire mainly houses female detainees.

-THE GUARDIAN

EUROPE

Catalonia secessionist leader rules out independence during mandate The secessionist leader of Spain’s Catalonia has ruled out any declaration of independence for the wealthy northeastern region during his mandate. Carles Puigdemont was elected president of Catalonia’s semi-autonomous government in January with the task of fast-tracking the Spanish region towards independence from Madrid within around 18 months.

-REUTERS

AFRICA

Gunbattles rock Congo Gunbattles rocked the capital of Congo Republic on Monday, shattering a relative calm that had followed President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s re-election in a disputed poll last month. Police forces exchanged fire with the militia group, known as The Ninjas. Opposition leader Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas came second in the March 20 election and his father led the Ninjas during the 1997 civil war.

-AFP

POINTS TAKEN

What a President Clinton would do Democratic US presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has moved to the left in key policy areas such as trade during her primary campaign against rival US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is known for his liberal stances.

Here is a look at what the former secretary of state has said she would do should she win the White House in the November 8 election. These policies are drawn from white papers released by her campaign, stump speeches, debates and interviews.

Immigration

Clinton supports comprehensive immigration reform with a path to full citizenship. She has pledged to defend President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration and, if legally possible, expand on them. She has called for an end to deportation raids and family detentions. Clinton has, however, disagreed with liberal Democrats about the best way to handle the influx of young people fleeing cartel violence and other issues in Central America. Obama said in 2014 that the US would send these youths back to deter others from attempting the same dangerous journey - a position

that Clinton has defended, including in a recent presidential debate.

compensation; enacting the “Buffett Rule” so the wealthy with investment income do not pay lower effective tax rates than “truck drivers or nurses;” and pushing back against “quarterly capitalism” and incentivising long-term investment by Wall Street.

Trade

Clinton supports some free-trade agreements and opposes others, saying her decisions are based on whether she feels the specific agreement will adequately protect the interests of US workers.

Clinton has had to deal with the legacy of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) reached by her husband’s administration during her own political career.

She backed away from Nafta when she ran for a US Senate seat representing New York. As a senator, she supported trade agreements with Australia, Chile, Morocco, Oman and Singapore. She opposed the Central American Free Trade Agreement. During her first presidential campaign in 2008, she criticised possible agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. But once she became Obama’s secretary of state, she worked to finalise agreements with Colombia and South Korea - a deal that in 2007 she had called “inherently unfair.” Clinton also worked on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as secretary of state, saying it would be the “gold standard” of trade agreements. As a presidential candidate in 2015, she stalled on taking a position on

Foreign policy

Hillary Clinton

REUTERS

TPP, saying she would wait until it was finalised by the administration. Clinton eventually said she would not support TPP because it does not adequately protect US workers.

Economy and taxes

Clinton has pledged to not raise taxes on the middle class in any way, in contrast to Sanders, her Democratic rival, who favours a nominal income tax premium to fund universal healthcare. Clinton has focused on “reforming the tax code so the wealthiest pay their fair share.” She has proposed ending the carried interest loophole that categorises the bulk of a hedge fund manager’s income as return on investment and not

Clinton has called for an “intelligence surge” to combat the Dae’sh militant group, and diplomatic efforts feature prominently in most of her foreign policy plans. She does not believe there should be a surge in ground troops in the Middle East, including in Syria. She has said she supports increased “specialised forces” there and enforcing a no-fly zone. She believes Russia’s participation will be essential for any solution in Syria. Clinton has also called for stepped-up efforts by US technology companies to combat terrorism. In a major foreign policy speech she said “social media companies can also do their part by swiftly shutting down terrorist accounts so they are not used to plan, provoke or celebrate violence.” She has not said how far she would go to compel the cooperation of private companies in this effort. l

Source: REUTERS

MI6 double agent Philby details life in Stasi video n Reuters, London British double agent Kim Philby detailed his life of betrayal and the ease with which he was able to pass secrets to his Soviet controllers in newly-discovered video footage broadcast by the BBC on Monday.

Philby was one of the Soviet Union’s most successful spies who penetrated the heart of the British establishment and passed secrets back to Moscow for three decades, part of a ring of British double agents recruited in the 1930s.

The video, discovered by the BBC in the official archives of the Stasi, the former East German Intelligence Service, shows Philby, who defected to Moscow in 1963 and died there in 1988, lecturing Soviet spies in 1981 about his life as an agent.

“Dear Comrades,” he begins, delivering his lecture to a rapt audience in his upper class English accent.

Philby said he became interested in communism while at Cambridge University, and explained how he was recruited by Moscow in the 1930s to infiltrate Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, the foreign spy agency now known as MI6, the BBC said.

The gravestone of MI6 double agent Kim Philby at a cemetery in Moscow REUTERS He disclosed how easy it was to steal secrets as he began to rise through MI6’s ranks.

“Every evening I left the office with a big briefcase full of reports that I had written myself, full of files and actual documents from the archive,” Philby said.

“I used to hand them to my Soviet contact in the evening. The next morning I would get the files back, the contents having been photographed and early the next morning

I would put them back in their place.

That I did regularly year in year out.”

The shadowy world and double-dealing of Philby and others in the “Cambridge Five” spy ring - such as Anthony Blunt, Guy Burgess, Donald Maclean - has long fascinated British audiences.

In one excerpt from the Stasi lecture, Philby detailed how he was ordered to undermine his boss so he could take over as head of an MI6 section responsible for

unmasking Soviet agents, calling it a “very, very dirty story”.

“After all, our work does imply getting dirty hands from time to time,” he said. “So I set about the business of removing my own chief. You oughtn’t to listen to this,” he told the East German spies, provoking laughter.

Philby, stationed in Washington as the liaison officer between the CIA and MI6 from 1949-51, said he escaped detection for so long because he was part of the British governing class system. Many MI6 colleagues had much to lose as they had been involved in his recruitment and promotion, he said.

He fled to Moscow in 1963 when new evidence of his work for the Soviet Union arose. He alleged he was able to escape from Beirut because the MI6 agent sent to watch him was an avid skier and had gone off to the Lebanese mountains after hearing news of a snowfall.

Philby’s hour-long address ends with simple advice to the spies: ‘Deny everything’.

“My advice to you is to tell all your agents that they are never to confess,” said Philby, who died in Moscow in 1988 aged 76. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

INSIDE WT20 FINAL

How Twitter saw it

Tamim feels good to become top scorer

“England 23/3 in 4.4 overs.. come on make a match.. we want to win a match worth calling finals not like this.”

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has become the highest run scorer in the recently concluded ICC World T20 with 295 runs at a staggering average of 73.75 including a century in six games. The dashing lefthander has been in superb form in the recent past. PAGE 26

CRICKETWI

“170 max please boys!! Could be less but not more begging.”

WEST INDIES LEGEND BRIANLARA

“Arise Sir @root66 ....”

EX ENG SKIPPER MICHAELVAUGHAN

“Brilliant effort by the WI & they will fancy this. England need to come up with something very special to win or for the WI to self destruct.”

EX AUSI SPIN WIZARD SHANE WARNE

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Gayle c Stokes b Root 4. #WI 5-2 (1.3).”

Samuels: This win’s for you Warne

WEST INDIES PLAYERS UNION

“Can someone tell the commentators that the reason rashid is bowling googlies all the time is a grip issue because the ball is wet with dew.”

Man of the match Marlon Samuels taunted Australia spin legend Warne after his unbeaten 85 set the West Indies up for a sensational World Twenty20 title triumph on Sunday.

The right-handed batsman’s 66-ball knock kept the Windies in with a chance of successfully beating England. PAGE 27

'Neymar open to ‘dream’ PSG move' Brazilian superstar Neymar could join Paris Saint Germain, if the French giants pay his huge 193 million euros ($220 million) get out clause, his agent said Monday.

“Neymar has a contract with Barca until 2018,” Ribeiro told. PAGE 28

Italian Conte handed Chelsea job Italian Antonio Conte was handed the responsibility of reviving Chelsea’s fortunes and bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge when he was named as their new head coach on Monday. Conte will take the post from next EPL season. PAGE 29

EX-ENG SPINNER GRAEME SWANN

“It’s #WI 104 for #Yorkshire 5 - what a #WT20Final#ENGvWI.” YORKSHIRECCC

“Wow 6,6,6.”

Majestic Mustafiz selected as substitute in ICC WT20 team n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh young pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman has been selected into the 12-man squad of the ICC World Twenty20 2016 team of the tournament. The International Cricket Council through a media release yesterday named the left-arm pacer as the 12th man of the squad led by India hard hitting batsman Virat Kohli, who bagged the Player of the Tournament award.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafiz went into the ICC World Twenty20 2016 with side-strain injury picked during the Asia Cup Twenty20 2016 and hence played only three out of seven matches for the Tigers.

The cutter specialist picked nine wickets in three games including a five-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s last Super 10 match against New Zealand at Eden Garden. Mustafiz had bulldozed the Kiwi innings conceding only 22

runs in four overs. His figure in the game ended as the best bowling figure in a match of the tournament. Mustafiz’s best bowling figure is followed by Australian pacer James Faulkner’s five scalps conceding 27 runs against Pakistan at Mohali.

Mustafizur shared the team with current Twenty20 cricket stars such as Quinton de Kock (South Africa), Joe Root (England), Shane Watson (Australia), Andre Russell (West Indies) and Ashish Nehra (India) etc.

The team was chosen by a selected group of former cricket stars and highly reputed commentators who were given the task of picking a balanced side for all conditions on the basis of performances in the tournament. Statistics were used but were not the sole basis for selection.

The men’s team contained four players from England, two players each from India and the West In-

dies, and one each from Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand and South Africa.

“The experts had an extremely difficult task to select the men’s and women’s squads from around 400 cricketers who represented the 26 teams, thanks to outstanding performances by all the players at this hugely successful event,” said ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, Announcing the squads.

“In the end, I believe the selectors have chosen two very well balanced sides which are capable of beating any opposition under any conditions,” Geoff, who chaired the selection meeting, added.

The selection panel also had former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, former England captain Nasser Hussain, former Australia women’s batter Mel Jones, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar and former Australia women’s all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar. l

NEW ZEALAND STAR ROSS TAYLOR

“Wowzers #T20WorldCupfinal” EX SA CAPTAIN GRAEME SMITH

“That is ridiculous....”

AUSTRALIAN STAR GLENN MAXWELL

“Unbelievable game !brathwaite you beauty congratulations West Indies world champions ! Feel bad for stokes England outstanding throughout.”

INDIA ALL-ROUNDER YUVRAJ SINGH

“Seen a lot of things over 25 yrs being involved in international cricket.

But nothing quite like that finish to a game 6 6 6 6 congrats WI” WARNE

“What a incredible game of cricket.

Fat Lady was about to start singing then the WI with the Yorkshire name turned up #WT20Final #brathwaite”.

EX FOOTBALLER GEOFF THOMAS

“Just a hiccup, @benstokes38! Happens to all great players who put their hands up under pressure! You are a STAR! Braithwaite take a bow!”

EX-ENGLAND STAR KEVIN PIETERSEN

“If anyone blames Ben Stokes, they don’t understand cricket.”

EX-ENG BATSMAN GRAEME FOWLER

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Tamim feels good to become highest scorer n Mazhar Uddin

Shakib, Mustafiz scheduled to fly for IPL today n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh ace allrounder Shakib al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman are scheduled to leave Dhaka today to join their respective Indian Premier League Twenty20 sides.

Shakib was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders in January this year.

Shakib had played four matches in the last IPL and scored 36 runs at an average of 12 and scalped four wickets. KKR finished fifth in the last season and had missed the Playoffs by a whisker.

On the other hand, for Mustafizur this IPL season will be the maiden one. The left-arm cutter specialist who had a flying start to his international career last year, was roped by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mustafizur was bought by the Sunrisers for Indian Rupee 14 million from the player’s auction held in February this year.

Concern of exposing Mustafizur to world cricket had made the Bangladesh Cricket Board restricts him for the maiden edition of the Pakistan Super League Twenty20 earlier this year but not for the money spinning IPL. It is understood that the BCB was in two minds of issuing a No Objection Certificate to Mustafizur to participate in the IPL but eventually gave the green light. l

Tribune yesterday.

Stylish Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who was 22 runs behind Tamim with 273 runs in five matches, was judged the man of the series. Tamim informed that he never thought of getting the award.

“Actually no. I was not expecting the man of the series award as I knew there were few other players who also performed exceptionally well in the tournament. And I think I could perform much better in the tournament especially against India where I should have played a big knock,” he said.

The swashbuckling southpaw also struck highest 14 sixes in the World T20 when he smashed five sixes against Oman in the qualifying round.

Meanwhile Tamim informed that he wanted England to win the tournament. However he said that the West Indies was the more deserving side to clinch the title.

“Though I did not support any team but I wanted England to win the final. However I think West Indies were the deserving side to become the champion of the World T20,” added Tamim. l

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has become the highest run scorer in the recently concluded ICC World Twenty 20 with 295 runs at a staggering average of 73.75 including a century in six games. The dashing left-hander has been in superb form in the recent past.

The Chittagong lad became the first Bangladeshi to smash a hundred in the shortest format of the game and scored an unbeaten 103 off just 63 balls against Oman which was also the highest individual score of the tournament with West Indies hard hitter Chris Gayle behind him with exactly 100 runs.

And Tamim’s Pakistan Super League franchisee Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has announced a reward of five thousand dollars to him for becoming the highest run scorer of the World T20.

“Obviously it feels really good to become the highest run scorer of a flagship event like T20 World Championship. However I would have been happier if Bangladesh as a team performed well in the tournament,” said Tamim to Dhaka

ICC WORLD T20 2016 STATISTICS TOP 5 WICKET TAKERS

TOP 5 RUN SCORERS POS PLAYER

INNS

NO

RUNS

HS

AVG

6

2

295

103*

73.75 142.51

VIRAT KOHLI

5

3

273

89*

136.50 146.77

0

JOE ROOT

6

1

249

83

49.80 146.47

0

4

MOHAMMAD SHAHZAD 7

0

222

61

31.71 140.50

0

5

JOS BUTTLER

2

191

66*

47.75 159.16

0

1

TAMIM IQBAL

2 3

6

SR

100 1

50

4s/6s

POS PLAYER

1

24/14

1

MOHAMMAD NABI

INNS OVERS RUNS WKTS

3

29/5

2

2

24/7

3

1

23/12

4

MITCHELL SANTNER

5

1

13/12

5

SHAKIB AL HASAN

6

7

27.0

164

12

RASHID KHAN

7

28.0

183

11

ISH SODHI

5

19.4

120

10

18.1

114

10

23.0

166

10

BBI

AVG

ECON

4/20

13.66

6.07

13.50 1

SR

4W

3/11

16.63

6.53

15.27

3/18

12.00

6.10

11.80 0

4/11

11.40

6.27

10.90 1

4/15

16.60

7.21

13.80 1

0

BATTING RECORDS Highest Strike Rate

Highest Individual Score

Highest Average

Most Centuries

Most Fifties

Most Sixes

Most Fours

CHRIS GAYLE

TAMIM IQBAL

VIRAT KOHLI

TAMIM/GAYLE

VIRAT KOHLI

TAMIM IQBAL

VIRAT KOHLI

194.82

103*

136.50

1

3

14

29

BOWLING AND FIELDING RECORDS Best Economy Rates

Best Bowling Figure

Best Strike-Rate

Best Averages

Most Dot Balls Bowled

Most Runs Conceded/In

Most Catches

NATHAN MCCULLUM

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN

PAUL VAN MEEKEREN

SAMUEL BADREE

MOHAMMAD SAMI

MARTIN GUPTILL

4.20

5/22

8.00

4.66

68

53

6

27

DT

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

WI cricket board slam Sammy’s ‘inappropriate’ remarks

SC rejects BFF appeal against return of Jamal’s 8 booters n Tribune Report

n AFP, Kolkata The bitter divisions in Caribbean cricket were laid bare Sunday as the West Indies board publicly reprimanded captain Darren Sammy just hours after his team’s stunning victory in the World T20 final.

Several hours later, in a statement curiously headlined “WICB President has high praises for World Twenty20 Organisers,” from the board’s Antigua headquarters, the sting came lower down.

“The President would like to however apologise for what could be deemed inappropriate, comments made by the West Indies’ male captain, Darren Sammy in a post-match interview and would like to apologize on behalf of the WICB, to the millions of fans who witnessed (sic).

WICB president Dave Cameron had already appeared to take offence at Sammy’s remarks by tweeting: “When is the last time a critic paid one of your bills? Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.”

Last year, Cameron had to apologise after retweeting a comment from a supporter that West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle should be given a “retirement package” after a run of low scores.

For many years the relative weakness of Caribbean economies and the often cash-strapped condition of the WICB have led to a series of pay disputes.

Recognising this, the WICB statement, said it wanted to meet with players after the end of this year’s IPL in a bid to seek “common ground”, with officials adding they would seek help from the International Cricket Council. l

Sheikh Jamal striker Enamul Haque shoots a ball during their Independence Cup opener against Mohammedan SC at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Jamal make winning start n Tribune Report Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club made a winning start in their Independence Cup campaign beating holders Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-0 in Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Confirming their participation just two hours before the kick-off of the tournament, the Premier League champions showed up a dominating display in the opening half where goals from Enamul Haque and Wedson Anselme were enough to hold on against a misfiring Mohammedan forward-line.

The Black and Whites tried to stage a comeback with all their weapons in the latter half but was

a little short to penetrate Sheikh Jamal back-four. The lack of ability to make a decent final pass at opponent’s terrain was also there to blame.

It was veteran Enamul Hoque, who played in defensive midfied role, put Sheikh Jamal ahead with nine minutes into the clock. Gambian midfielder Landing Darboe slid the ball onto the path of Enamul whose upward placing from sixyard box hit the roof of the net.

Haitian winger Wedson Anselme doubled the lead seven minutes later slotting home past Nehal after collecting a through pass from Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington.

The Black and Whites could have pulled one back four minutes later when Jamal defender Anisur

Alam Sweet made a goal-line clearance to deny Cameroonian defender Pouemi Landry’s header from the box.

Guinean striker Ismael Bangoura saw his effort saved by Jamal keeper Mazharul Islam Hemel in the 37th minute. Mohammedan continued their attacking approach after the resumption for the goal but failed to convert any due to lack of finishing touch.

Landing Darboe tried his luck from 25 yards in the 62nd minute but his left-footer made not enough trouble to Mohammedan keeper Nehal.

TODAY’S MATCHES

Sheikh Russel v Arambagh,4pm Muktijoddha v Ctg Abahani, 6.30pm

This win’s for you Shane, Samuels taunts Warne n AFP, Kolkata Man of the match Marlon Samuels taunted Australia spin legend Shane Warne after his unbeaten 85 set the West Indies up for a sensational World Twenty20 title triumph on Sunday.

The right-handed batsman’s 66ball knock kept the Windies in with a chance of successfully beating England’s 155-9 total after openers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle fell early for a combined five runs.

Samuels’ scintillating 85 included nine boundaries and two sixes and laid the foundations for Carlos Brathwaite to dramatically hit four consecutive sixes as the Windies won with

two balls to spare in Kolkata.

The pair had an infamous run-in during Australia’s Big Bash League

in 2013 and Warne rekindled the feud when he criticised Samuels following his dismissal against In-

dia in Thursday’s WT20 semi-final.

“I woke up this morning with one thing on my mind, said Samuels. Shane Warne has been talking continuously and all I want to say is this is for Shane Warne.”

Samuels made just eight in the Windies’ seven-wicket victory over India in the last-four, but his monumental innings on Sunday was reminiscent of his contribution in the final four years ago. The West Indies won their first World T20 title in 2012 with Samuels scoring 78 against Sri Lanka in the final.

“I don’t worry about semi-finals because when it comes to finals I always turn up for the team,” he boasted.l

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday has upheld the High Court’s order on Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Bangladesh Football Federation regarding eight players who the Dhanmondi outfits claimed to have left the club ‘illegally’.

A three-member Appellate Division led by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after the country’s football governing body appealed challenging the High Court decision that eight footballers would not play for any clubs except Sheikh Jamal.

The order came after hearing BFF’s petition that also sought stay on the High Court order. The bench also asked to solve the issue to the High Court, which on March 28 passed a rule asking BFF president, its secretary and the eight footballers to come up with explanations by four weeks as to why the players’ decision of leaving the club will not be declared illegal.

The eight booters are – Mamunul Islam, Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Shahidul Alam Sohel, Yeasin Khan, Sohel Rana, Rayhan Hasan, Yeamin Ahmed Munna and Alamgir Kabir Rana. Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal president Manjur Kader called a sudden press conference at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday just half-an-hour before the club first Independence Cup match against Mohammedan.

Manjur Kader said that the Appellate Division’s order is a moral victory for them. He also slammed the BFF officials with harsh words calling them ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Conspirator’. He also asked his former eight players to return to Sheikh Jamal assuring that the club will greet them cordially. l

ICC wants more teams in WT20 n Cricinfo ICC chief executive David Richardson said that he believes the current format of the World T20 has proven to be a success, but says he will push for at least two more teams to be added to the first and second round in future competitions.

Richardson also said that keeping the World T20 to a four-year cycle and sticking to plans for a 10-team World Cup in 2019 is being done to safeguard to the financial health of all formats at ICC events and that all members will benefit financially, regardless of their participation or lack thereof.l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Napoli, Higuain to pay dearly for moment of madness n AFP, Milan Gonzalo Higuain’s impressive scoring streak in Serie A is expected to be halted by an imminent ban that could end Napoli’s bid for a long-awaited Serie A title.

Higuain hit his 30th league goal of the campaign on Sunday to pull to within five goals of retired AC Milan striker Gunnar Nordahl’s alltime record of 35 goals in a single, 20-team Serie A season.

But the Argentine striker lost the plot after being issued a red card late in Napoli’s 3-1 defeat to Udinese which left them six points adrift of leaders and champions Juventus.

Higuain shoved the match referee Massimiliano Irrati, then had to be restrained by fellow players as he angrily remonstrated with Udinese player Felipe as he sat on the turf following a challenge.

According to widespread reports Monday, Higuain now risks a ‘minimum’ three-match ban.

Former referee and referee’s chief Paolo Casarin said Higuain’s shove “can’t be ignored” and although he said everything “will depend on Irrati’s match report”, the Argentina striker is expected to pay dearly.

“I think Higuain quickly realised the gravity of the situation,” Casarin told Radio Rai. “An eight-game ban seems exaggerated to me, but players have to stop approaching referees in this manner. l

RESULTS

Holders Barcelona will seek to overcome their defeat in El Clasico when they host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in an all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final, first leg at the Camp Nou. On a night when Barca paid tribute to the late Dutch great Johan Cruyff, the Catalan giants’ 39-game unbeaten run came to a halt after goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo erased Gerard Pique’s opener.

“For me this game is history,” said Barca coach Luis Enrique, electing to turn the page rather than reflect on Saturday’s loss.

“There is no pain. We came into the game on the back of many games without losing, but defeats can teach you things and the players know that.”

Barcelona have won the last six meetings with Atletico, but it was Los Rojiblancos who advanced when the two sides clashed at this

Napoli

Fernandes 14-pen, 45+1, Thereau 57

Higuain 24

2-1

Atalanta

AC Milan

Pinilla 44, Gomez 63

Adriano 5-pen

3-1

Chievo

Palermo

Cacciatore 6, Rigoni 53, Birsa 74

Gilardino 28

1-1

Fiorentina

Sampdoria

Ilicic 24

Alvarez 39

4-0

Genoa

Frosinone

Suso 43, 60, 76, Rigoni 72

1-4

Lazio Parolo 75

Roma

El Shaarawy 15, Dzeko 64, Florenzi 83, Perotti 87

Inter Milan

1-2

Icardi 17-pen

Molinaro 55, Belotti 73-pen

Torino

Napoli forward from Argentina Gonzalo Higuain reacts after he received a red card during their Italian Serie A match against Udinese at Friuli Stadium in Udine on Sunday AFP

Juve sight scudetto record as Roma rout Lazio n AFP, Milan A record-equalling fifth consecutive crown moved a step closer for Serie A champions Juventus on Sunday as Roma maintained their Champions League push with a 4-1 humiliation of derby rivals Lazio.

Juventus looked to be down and out of the title race only months after securing a league and Cup double last year in Massimiliano Allegri’s first season in charge. But from a dismal start to the campaign that left the Turin giants only a handful of points above the relegation zone,

Juve have pulled six points clear of rivals Napoli following their shock 3-1 defeat at Udinese.

Although still in the title race, Napoli will now feel the heat from third-placed Roma, who humiliated Lazio 4-1 in what may have been Totti’s final derby appearance and was the last match at the helm for home coach Stefano Pioli, who was sacked hours after the defeat.

Although Totti is hoping for a 24th and final year’s contract, club president James Pallotta is trying to steer the 39-year-old into a director’s role at the end of campaign.

Totti stayed on the bench throughout as Roma ran riot, albeit in a virtually empty stadium as fans largely heeded boycott calls in protest at new security measures.

Coach Luciano Spalletti told Premium Sport: “I’m sorry Totti didn’t have a chance to come on but as coach I have decisions to make and I have other players who are just as strong as him.”

In Sunday’s late game Inter finished with nine men in a shock 2-1 San Siro reverse to Torino that dented their hopes of fighting their way into Champions League contention. l

Barca seek Clasico tonic in Champions League n AFP, Paris

3-1

Udinese

stage of the 2013-14 competition -the only time Barca have failed to reach the semis in the past eight seasons.

Bayern Munich host Portuguese league leaders Benfica in the first leg with Pep Guardiola’s side bidding to reach the last four for the fifth year running.

Bayern laboured to a 1-0 win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt as they remained five points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but skipper Philipp Lahm warned they would need to up their level against Benfica.

“After an international break it’s often difficult. That’s perfectly normal,” said Lahm.

“I think it’s going to be a completely different match (on Tuesday). We’ll be perfectly prepared.

We need a better performance, but I’m not worrying about that.”

Bayern will be without Arjen Robben at the Allianz Arena, but the hosts should have France winger Kingsley Coman available after

sitting out Saturday’s victory with a leg injury.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic powered Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-1 win over Nice at the weekend and the French champions will again look to their Swedish star when they take on Manchester City at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Paris reached the Champions League semi-finals in 1994-95, but City, despite their indifferent Premier League displays, are through to the last eight for the first time.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side rediscovered some form at the weekend though with a 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth, and PSG midfielder Thiago Motta said it would take a complete team effort to overcome City.

“It’s not Ibra against City. It’s Paris Saint-Germain against City. In my head, I’ve never thought about taking to the pitch and winning a game all alone. It’s impossible,” Motta told French daily L’Equipe. l

Barcelona forward Neymar plays with a ball during a training session in Barcelona yesterday

POINTS TABLE Teams

P

W

D

L GD Pts

Juventus

31 23

4

4 40

73

Napoli

31 20

7

4 36

67

Roma

31 18

9

4 34

63

Fiorentina 31 16

8

7

18

56

Inter Milan 31 16

7

8

11

55

AC Milan

31

13

10

8

8

49

Sassuolo

31

12

12

7

6

48

Lazio

31

11

9

11

-3

42

Chievo

31

11

8

12 -3

41

Genoa

31 10

7

14 -1

37

Neymar open to ‘dream’ PSG move: agent n AFP, Paris Brazilian superstar Neymar could join Paris Saint Germain, if the French giants pay his huge 193 million euros ($220 million) get out clause, his agent said Monday.

“Neymar has a contract with Barca until 2018,” Wayne Ribeiro told French sports daily L’Equipe.

“But the prospect of living in a city like Paris, and to play for a club like PSG is also a dream for every player. That’s to say if PSG showed interest in Neymar we could talk about it.”

PSG have dominated Ligue 1 since the Qatari takeover of the French capital club in 2011.

And with talisman Ibrahimovic, courted by some of Europe’s top clubs, in possibly his last season in France, PSG have reportedly identified Neymar as their number one target before the new season starts. l

29

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Djokovic moves past legends with historic Miami win n AFP, Miami World number one Novak Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer as the highest-earning player in ATP Tour history on Sunday after capturing a third consecutive Miami Open crown with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic’s win -- his sixth career victory in Miami to equal Agassi’s record - saw him pocket $1.028 million (902,000 euros), taking him

past Federer as the all-time ATP earnings leader with $98,199,548 to the Swiss great’s $97,855,881.

“It was my best performance of the tournament,” the 28-year-old Serbian said. “It came at the right time against a great player.”

Djokovic’s win also took him to a record 28th career ATP Masters title, one better than the old mark he shared with Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

“The fact I managed to win the most Masters ever is a remarkable

Conte handed job of making Chelsea champions again n Reuters, London Italian Antonio Conte was handed the responsibility of reviving Chelsea’s fortunes and bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge when he was named as their new head coach on Monday.

Conte, 46, the head coach of Italy, will move to London on a three-year contract after the June 10 - July 10 European Championship in France.

Conte has long been touted as Chelsea’s first choice to succeed Jose Mourinho as their next permanent manager following the departure of the Portuguese in December after Chelsea made their worst start to a top flight campaign for more than 30 years.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been in charge since Dec. 19 but his second stint as interim coach was never going to last longer than the end of this season.

“I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team

of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that,” Conte said in a statement on Chelsea’s website (www.chelseafc.com).

“I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.”

Conte will be the fifth Italian to manage Chelsea, following previous incumbents Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Di Matteo. l

DAY’S WATCH FOOTBALL TEN 1 12:45AM UEFA Champions League Bayern v Benfica

TEN 2 I-League 2016

12:45PM UEFA Champions League Barcelona v Atletico

STAR SPORTS 2 4:30PM AFC Champions League

5:00PM

FC Seoul v Shandong Luneng

Shillong Lajong v Mohun

STAR SPORTS 4

Bagan

4:30PM

7:35PM

AFC Champions League

Kingfisher East Bengal v

Urawa Red Diamonds v

Mumbai FC

Guangzhou Evergrande

achievement I’m very proud of,” Djokovic said.

“I’m grateful and proud of all the achievements,” Djokovic said. “To put myself in position to have the records and be in the history books is a great accomplishment. Hopefully I can make many more records.”

Djokovic improved to 28-1 this year, the lone loss coming when an eye problem forced a Dubai quarter-final retirement against Spain’s Feliciano Lopez. l

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

Showtime

Loss of a Dhallywood stalwart

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Shahidul Islam Khokon, who died at aged 59, was a prominent Dhallywood figure with a talent of delivering action-packed romantic flicks, including the much loved action-comedy Bhando. Though at some point of his career, Khokon has tried acting to contribute in film but his position behind the camera is appreciated more.

Khokon commenced his film career as an assistant director to Masud Parvez Sohel Rana in 1974 action-thriller Masud Rana. Even-

tually, he served in the position for nearly 10 years before his debut directorial venture Rokter Bondee came out. Unfortunately, his first film failed to garner that much of attention, so as his second film.

Apparently, his initial flop as a director failed to deter him from his determination in the long run, and for his next film he brought Rubel as a hero, the younger brother Sohel Rana. With Rubel in the lead and packed with martial arts, Lorakoo marks his first commercial success. He never had to look back from this point.

Featuring martial arts and action-packed blockbusters, he expertly landed some new faces in the industry as well. He introduced Danny Sidak, Siraj Panna, Elias Kobra and actress Mishela.

Apart from sheding light on plights of the society, he depicted positive vibes of the Liberation War in his films, simultaneously indicating the menacing powers against our independence in other ways.

In 1992, he appeared as the lead in Utthan Poton but seems failed to grip audience’s credence as hero. Later, as he started to enjoy

TVC featuring Tahsan and Mim coming soon

success as director, he let go his desire of becoming an acting figure on the silver screen. Last, he acted in Rajdhani.

Khokon made movies such as Lorakoo, Palabi Kothay, Madam Phully, Biplob, Lal Shabuj, Shotorka Shoitan, Bishdant, Top Rongbaj,

Tahsan and Mim are soon to be seen in a television commercial, highlighting the technological advancement made by the Bangladeshi government.

The story of the TVC is about a “Digital Train,” where Tahsan and Mim are portrayed as two passengers becoming selfdependent through the use of technology.

Acclaimed singer Tahsan and one of the leading models and actresses of the country, Bidya Sinha Mim, will be seen in the

TVC made by the Bangladeshi government.

The TVC delivers the message that the Information Ministry has created job opportunities for up to one lakh people and now requires only technical expertise.

On Wednesday, March 30, the shooting was done at Dhaka’s Coke Studio and directed by Samir Ahmed.

Mim said that the TVC shows a female student becoming selfdependent using digital platform.

The TVC will air on all television channels soon. l

ing from motor neurone disease, a progressive disease involving degeneration of the motor neurons and wasting of the muscles.

Earlier, Belleview Hospital of the USA sent him back to Bangladesh as there is no treatment of this disease. l

Theo: Done with Divergent n Showtime Desk Divergent actor Theo James received worldwide popularity by playing the character of Tobias ‘Four’ Eaton. James is loved for his role in the Divergent franchise but seems like he does not wish to do any such roles again.

James believes that he needs to grow as an actor and prove his acting skills in a different genre.

n Showtime Desk

and Utthan Poton. He received the Special Honourary Award 2013 from the Bangladesh Film Journalist Association.

The celebrated filmmaker breathed his last in Uttara Adhunik Hospital at 8:15am Monday, April 4. Khokon had long been suffer-

He does not wish to be confined to one kind of a role and needs to grow out of the set image of him as an actor. The Divergent star added, “In a way I have less experience with them, so I need to develop myself as an actor and as a person.”

This is not the first time James has hinted towards not sticking with the franchise and would rather take up offbeat projects.

In a previous interview with Interview Magazine, James revealed that as an actor, it is necessary for him to keep experimenting with different kinds of roles.

James admitted that after doing a franchise film, all the other offered roles turn out to be similar and henceforth easy. He said that he avoids signing up for similar roles. “You need to avoid that temptation, because I do think it will affect your career in the long term. I like doing things I find interesting and wacky,” James added.

James, who was also seen in several TV shows like Downtown Abby and Bedlam, is also catching up on projects that are very different from his hit Divergent franchise. He will next be seen in the thriller London Fields, which is based on 1989 novel of same name by Martin Amis. He will be playing the role of Guy Clinch with Johnny Depp, Cara Delevingne and Amber Heard.

James’ next projects include filming for the last part of the Divergent series – The Divergent Series: Ascending. Apart from this, the English actor will also be seen in the dark comedy War on Everyone and Backstabbing for Beginners. l

Back in action! n Rumpa Farzana Zaman “I am a better actress,” says Shishir when she was asked to compare herself with none other than Shakib Al Hasan. When Shakib was asked the same, Shakib says, “Nope, I think I am better.”

Think about being a child, whose father is one of the best all-rounders in cricket and whose mother is an entrepreneur. The two had became a model duo for a leading company of Bangladesh.

Not only that, after a successful endorsement season, they signed on for the next two years.

Shakib Al Hasan and Umme Ahmed Shishir, who have recently become parents of a little baby girl, just made themselves busier with Banglalink endorsements.

Showtime asked Shakib about his previous experience of modeling with the same company. He stated, “The journey was awesome.

Especially because of Shishir. It was her very first experience working in a TVC. We enjoyed working together.

I think BL is also happy with us that’s why we are here again!”

Shishir had her turn to reply, “Shakib is very cooperative. He helped me do things better, to throw an expression. I think it was a good journey.”

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH

“Those TVCs were similar to our regular life. That’s one of the reasons why we had not faced any difficulties, “ added Shakib.

Showtime asked if cake comes to his door with the ring of a bell.

“Very often,” Shakib answered with a big smile.

We asked Shishir, after giving birth to a baby, how she was going to manage her versatile career.

She replied, “I never take this in other ways.

Giving birth to a child is a normal part of life.

It is true that life has changed.

We are more

responsible. But that is also inspiration for me to take my career higher to set an example for my daughter.”

“We want to make her independent by setting examples not by forcing it,” added Shakib.

Getting around to their child’s future, we asked what they would like their daughter to be. Both mother and father had the same response, “Whatever she wants to be.”

The new parents are busy with their child and also with the food business, branded cosmetic shops, social media managing etc. Shakib himself looks after his verified official page of Facebook. Shakib says, “It is my responsibility to maintain my own page because every post shows our image to the people all over the world.”

However both had expressed how they weren’t too big on social media to begin with.

But their is no comparison between Shakib’s cricket and other activities. To Shakib Al Hasan, cricket comes first, then modelling or business. Shakib added, “I am a cricketer first.

I want to be in field as long as I can. That is my profession. I am doing TVCs after my field job is done.” l

April 5, Tuesday The Conjuring Movies Now 9:30pm Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston Edge of Tomorrow HBO 9:30pm A military officer is brought into an alien war against an extraterrestrial enemy who can reset the day and know the future. When this officer is enabled with the same power, he teams up with a Special Forces warrior to try and end the war.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton

PHOTO: COURTESY

SRK and Anushka to work with Imtiaz Ali n Promiti Prova Chowdhury Imtiaz Ali, who has clearly created a niche for himself in Bollywood, is all set to roll his next with none other than Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma.

This is the third time the 27-year-old actress and the 50-year-old actor will star together after Rab Ne Bana De Jodi and Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

According to a report published in Mirror last month, Shah Rukh Khan plays a turbaned Sikh tourist in the yet-to-be-titled comedy. His interactions with the locals and his adventurous return to his home country forms the crux of this laugh riot.

The film will be shot in London and parts of Punjab.

King Khan is now busy shooting for Gauri Shinde’s romance drama with Alia Bhatt, while Anushka is completing the last leg of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Yash Raj Film’s Sultan.

This is Anushka’s first collaboration with the filmmaker,

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but they have been keen to work together for five years now. Buzz is she was one of the top contenders for his Rockstar in 2011.

She had cleared the auditions and was even being sized up for the costumes, before Nargis Fakri entered the picture. More recently, she was approached for Tamasha but couldn’t do the film because of date issues. l Sources: Times of India, Zee News

Mehjabin in Shera Nachiye n Showtime Desk Popular model Mehjabin Chowdhury has made a guestappearance as a judge in Shera Nachiye. The guest-judge will also be seen to perform with the contestants in the episode that will be aired today at 7:50pm.

“Mangolee Channel i Shera Nachiye 2015” is a reality show in Bangladesh dedicated to the hunt for dancers. Celebrated dancer Munmun Ahmed, film actor Ferdous Ahmed and stage actor and director Meher Afroz Shaon are the main judges of the competition.

Initiated and directed by Izaz khan Swapan, the show is hosted

by Munmun Chowdhury. l

The Mummy Returns Star Movies 9:30pm The mummified body of Imhotep is shipped to a museum in London, where he once again wakes and begins his campaign of rage and terror.

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah The Time Machine WB 7:48pm Hoping to alter the events of the past, a 19th century inventor instead travels 800,000 years into the future, where he finds humankind divided into two warring races.

Cast: Guy Pearce, Yancey Arias, Mark Addy Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Zee Studio 6:10pm Captain Barbossa, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle.

Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016

GOVT SET TO SLASH ADP OVER 9% PAGE 15 Bangladeshis among migrants sent back from Greece

MUSTAFIZ IN ICC WT20 TEAM PAGE 25

LOSS OF A DHALLYWOOD STALWART PAGE 30

A DEATH TRAP THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT

n Reuters The first batch migrants, mostly Pakistani and some Bangladeshis, were deported from Greek islands under a disputed EU-Turkey deal were shipped back to Turkey on Monday in a drive to shut down the main route used by more than a million people fleeing war and poverty to reach Europe in the last year.

Two Turkish-flagged passenger boats carrying 136 people arrived from the island of Lesbos in the Turkish town of Dikili, accompanied by two Turkish coast guard vessels with a police helicopter buzzing overhead.

The returnees from Lesbos were mostly from Pakistan and some from Bangladesh and had not applied for asylum, according to a spokeswoman for EU border agency Frontex.

A third ship carrying 66 people, mainly Afghans, arrived there later from the island of Chios.

Under a pact criticised by refugee agencies and human rights campaigners, Ankara will take back all migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean Sea to enter Greece illegally, including Syrians.

For non-Syrians, Turkey would apply to their home countries and send them back systematically, Turkish EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir said in a recent interview with Turkish broadcaster Haberturk.

In return, the European Union will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations.

The EU-Turkey deal aims to discourage migrants from perilous crossings, often in small boats and dinghies, and to break the business model of human smugglers who have fuelled Europe’s biggest influx since World War II. Under the pact, the EU will resettle thousands of legal Syrian refugees directly from Turkey - one for each Syrian returned from the Greek islands.

EU authorities said none of those deported on Monday had requested asylum in Greece and all had left voluntarily. They included two Syrians who had asked to return to Turkey.

The UNHCR and rights groups have said the deal between the European Union and Turkey lacks legal safeguards. l

The expansion joint connecting the slabs on Mayor Hanif flyover in Tikatuli area, Dhaka, has not been set properly. It has a significant gap which makes that part of the flyover slippery, especially for motorcycles, frequently causing fatal accidents. At least six motorcycle drivers and riders have been killed in accidents on this particular spot since the flyover was opened for public use in 2013. Despite such an alarming number of accidents in such a short period of time, the authorities concerned seem to have no concern in this regard. They have neither taken any initiative to fix the gap, nor have they placed a warning sign near the spot to alert motorcyclists. The photo was taken on Saturday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Muezzin stabbed to death inside Old Dhaka mosque n Kamrul Hasan Unidentified assailants yesterday stabbed a muezzin to death inside a three-storey mosque in Old Dhaka’s Islampur area.

The deceased, Belal Hossain, 49, was the muezzin of Jobbu Khanam Jame mosque.

Police recovered the body from the stairs after the imam of the mosque, Taijul Islam, found it there.

Abdul Awal, guard of the mosque, said Taijul, who lives in nearby Zinda Bahar area, searched for Belal after coming to the mosque to lead the Fajr prayer.

“Taijul did not see Belal around and was heading to Belal’s room on the second floor of the mosque but found him dead on the stairs.

He immediately informed me and police,” he said.

Belal’s brother Abu Bashar said

his brother had been working at the mosque for more than 25 years.

“We asked him to leave the job after a theft committed at the mosque a few months ago but he did not listen. A general diary was also filed in this connection,” he said.

‘Even after he was attacked during a previous theft, he stayed at the mosque’ Anwar Hossain Khokon, an apparel trader in the area, said he goes to the mosque for prayers three times a day and found Belal to be a very polite and pious man. “Even after the theft during which he was attacked, he decided to stay at the

mosque, saying he had no enemies and it was a mere accident.”

Belal’s son Md Yamin filed a case over his father’s death but did not name any accused.

According to the case statement, assailants tied Belal up before stabbing him in his chest, stomach, back and hand with sharp weapons several times.

Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh zone Mofiz Uddin Ahmed said the murder was committed by more than one person as it would be very difficult to attack such a healthy man. “Belal may have been killed in the late hours of night.”

Belal’s body was sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College morgue for autopsy.

“Financial reasons may have led to the murder but we are not ruling out other possibilities,” said DC Mofiz. l

BD to open nine new missions n UNB The government has decided to widen its diplomatic ties with foreign countries by opening nine new diplomatic missions abroad.

The ninth meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Ministry, held at Sangsad Bhaban yesterday, came up with the decision.

The meeting said the approval for opening these missions is under process and but it did not reveal the names of the countries where those will be opened.

The meeting was informed that 14 new missions were opened in Athens (Greece), Milan (Italy), Mexico City (Mexico), Lisbon (Portugal), Istanbul (Turkey), Brasilia (Brazil), Port Louis (Mauritius), Kunming (China), Mumbai (India), Beirut (Lebanon), Vienna (Austria), Warsaw (Poland), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during the Awami League government’s recent tenures. l

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