n Kamrul Hasan

The Mirpur tea stall owner who was severely burnt in an alleged police assault on Wednes-day succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medi-cal College Hospital yesterday, with his fami-ly claiming that the law enforcers were trying to protect their colleagues after the incident.

The family members of victim Babul Matabbor told the Dhaka Tribune that the law enforcers had forced them to � le an at-tempted murder case without mentioning the names of any police personnel.

Babul’s son Monir Hossain Raju said that before dying, his father had managed to iden-tify Sub-Inspector Shreedham Chandra Halder and a police informant named Delowar Hos-sain as some of those involved in the attack.

Five members of Shah Ali police station were withdrawn yesterday while the DMP formed two probe bodies to look into the matter.

Apart from blaming the police for being directly involved in setting � re to Babul’s body, the family also criticised the police’s role in the aftermath of the incident.

They claimed that the police had denied a severely injured Babul medical treatment and detained him at the police station for around an hour, before � nally letting him go seek attention from doctors.

Attempt to cover upWhen the victim’s daughter, Rukhsana, went to Shah Ali police station to � le a case Wednesday night, o� cials there allegedly refused to record the case that would accuse some of their own colleagues.

Rukhsana said that the police members had instead forced the family to � le an at-tempted murder case against some local drug traders and a police informant.

O� cer-in-Charge Shahin Mondol denied the claims that any member of the police sta-tion were involved with the assault.

Asked why the DMP had withdrawn � ve police members from the station, the OC said that it was done to make the investigation smoother, and so that they could not in� u-ence the probe.

The law enforcers withdrawn yesterday are Sub-Inspector Shreedham, SI Mominur Rahman, SI Niaz Uddin Mollah, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jogendranath and constable Jashim Uddin.

The attempted murder case accuses an alleged drug trader named Parul as the main accused, while the other accused are police informant Delowar and Parul’s associates Ai-yub Ali, Dulal Hawlader, Robin, Shankar and Parvin. Police sources said that they had al-ready arrested Parul.

The police also formed two committees – one led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Mirpur division) Masud Ahmed and the oth-er by Deputy Commissioner (Discipline) of DMP Tutul Chakrabarty – to investigate the incident.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

SECOND EDITION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 | Magh 23, 1422, Rabius Sani 25, 1437 | Regd No DA 6238, Vol 3, No 290 | www.dhakatribune.com | 32 pages plus 24-page Weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

Family members of Babul Matabbor break down after learning about his death at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday. The tea stall owner based in Mirpur, Dhaka was severely burnt during an alleged police attack. His son claimed Babul identi� ed a sub-inspector and a police informant as his attackers before he died MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

NHRC boss: Police need to bereined inn Tribune Report

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman yes-terday said that the police had become reckless nowadays, and suggested that they need to be reined in immediately.

“I am compelled to say that if such activities by the police are not stopped, these will bring a worse consequence for the force,” Prof Mizan told report-ers at Dhaka Medical College Hospital where a tea stall owner succumbed to his injuries yesterday afternoon alleg-edly following police torture.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Cover up attempt afterpolice brutality kills one

Behind the scenes of Dhaka Art Summit 2016It is di� cult to imagine the incredible amount of hard work that is put into creating a festival on the scale of the Dhaka Art Summit 2016, which is ready to open its doors and wow the public as of today. Only a few days before the big opening, we went to Shilpakala Academy, the venue of the Dhaka Art Summit, to experience the hustle and bustle before the curtains open and take a sneak peek at some of the exciting exhibitions that will be on display. PAGE 18-19

INSIDE

Fire at city’sCentral HospitalA � re broke out in the basement of Central Hospital in the capital’s Green Road yesterday, however, no one was reported injured in the incident. PAGE 3

Fund prime concern for setting up digital forensic lab The government is planning to establish a fully � edged digital forensic laboratory to help the law enforcement agencies and other state bodies detect criminals and ensure information security of the country. PAGE 5

PM urges teachers to raise students as ideal citizensPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon the teachers to educate the children from tender age about practicing principles and values to raise them up as the ideal citizens of the country. PAGE 7

News2DTFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cover up attempt after police brutalityDeputy Commissioner Kaimuzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that the two-member zonal team was asked to submit the probe report within two working days and the DMP team within three working days.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal emerging from a programme also claimed that no police members were involved in the incident. “Rather, a police informant was in-volved in the incident. It occurred due to a feud over drug selling,” alleged the minister, terming it a stray incident.

‘Death part of conspiracy’Babul’s son Raju said that the death of his father was a part of conspiracy as Babul had long been protesting the drug trade of Parul, who operated her business beside the tea stall owner’s house in Block H of Mirpur 1.

Babul had asked Parul – who lives beside his house – to stop her drug trade in the area as the addicts regularly came to his tea stall looking for cannabis and even went inside his house, threatening the safety of his daughters.

Raju said that Parul and her associates had threatened his father, saying the police would never come to his aid as the drug dealers had a good arrangement with the law enforcers.

Last month, the police tried to detain Babul in a false case, but decided to let him go after the family bribed them, Raju said.

What happened on WednesdayAround 9pm on Wednesday, three police members went to Babul’s tea stall, accom-panied by informant Delowar, who is also an associate of the drug paddlers.

Delowar demanded money from Babul and grabbed his hand to pull him out of the stall. At that time, Babul was pouring kero-sene into a stove.

During the scu� e, a constable allegedly hit the stove with his truncheon, which then fell on Babul and set him on � re. Instead of trying to douse the blaze, the police mem-bers � ed the scene immediately, Raju said.

To make matters worse, the police mem-bers then took Babul to the police station instead of a hospital. By the time the family was allowed to rush Babul to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, two-and-a-half hours had already passed.

Partha Shangkar Paul, residential surgeon of the DMCH burn unit, said that despite the best e� orts from the doctors, the patient did not survive as he had received 90% burn injuries. l

NHRC boss: Police need to be reined in“Police’s excesses have reached the peak. The reckless police need to be reined in with-out delay. We do not need such oppressive police,” he added.

Tea seller Babul Matabbor, who was ad-mitted to the hospital with 90% burns, died around 1:35pm. He was tortured and set on � re allegedly by some police members at his tea stall in the capital’s Mirpur on Wednesday night as he refused to pay toll.

After his death, the authorities withdrew � ve members of Shah Ali police station in-cluding three sub-inspectors and formed two probe bodies to investigate the allegations of extortion and torture.

“The accused police members should be brought to the book ... We want to see that their names are included in the case � led over the matter. Otherwise, we will go to the High Court for remedy and will � le a case our-selves, if needed,” warned the NHRC boss.

Babul’s family members alleged that they were forced by the Shah Ali police to � le the case against some local drug paddlers instead of the police o� cers responsible. They also claimed that the on-duty police members � rst took the injured to the police station.

“This is not acceptable. It is their duty to

arrange treatment for the victim � rst,” Prof Mizan said.

The brutality on Babul drew severe crit-icisms as some other police o� cers have recently been accused of torturing a Bang-ladesh Bank o� cial and a DCC employee among others in the name of frisking.

“Crimes [by police] become viral when justice is not ensured in a society. If the po-lice claim that they were not involved in such crimes, it is their duty to prove themselves in-nocent,” Prof Mizan said. He also questioned the claim made frequently by the police high-ups that they are friends of the people.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister Asaduz-zaman Khan Kamal emerging from a pro-gramme claimed that no police members were involved in the incident. Had they been in-volved, their names would have been included in the case � led by the victim’s family, he said.

“There will be an investigation. It is a sheer lie that the victim was burned in a � ame by the police. Rather, a police informant was in-volved in the incident. The incident occurred due to a feud over drug selling.”

The minister also claimed that it was a stray incident, and that it would not harm the image of the police force. l

Quader: Owners to face music for road crashn UNB

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday that transport owners would not be spared for any road accidents under a new law being prepared.

“We are going to bring the transport own-ers under purview of legal measures for any road crashes,” he told reporters as he visited a mobile court in Dhaka’s Agargaon area.

Currently drivers are held responsible and punished for road accidents, but the new law would have provisions to punish the owners

who remain free from any action.“We have drafted a new law for the road

transport sector under which owners will come under the purview of legal measures,” the minister said.

The minister said he would place the draft law in the current session of Parliament, if not possible, in the next session.

O� cially more than 8,500 people died in road accidents across the country last year. Some independent surveys say the death toll from road crashes was up to 12,000 in the past.

He also warned that un� t vehicles would

be removed from Dhaka city roads in a short time.

“Vehicles which violate motor acts and run without proper documents will not run on city streets,” he said.

The BRTA on Wednesday launched a drive and set up two mobile courts to punish the un� t vehicles, and Quader said on Thursday that it would continue.

The drive is mainly meant for catching CNG-run auto rickshaw drivers as they often charge extra fair and run without proper doc-uments. l

A BRTA mobile court charges a CNG-run autorickshaw driver with a hefty � ne for not following the government-approved metered-fare system in the capital’s Agargaon area yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Ershad heaves sigh of reliefn UNB

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said now he has no tension as he has appoint-ed his brother GM Quader as his successor to keep his party alive.

“I’d been enduring a burden of hidden pains for so many days. I’d no peace in my mind, and smile on my face. I’d used to be chased by a worry what would be the fate of my child (JaPa) in absence of me,” he told a reception.

Ershad went on saying, “But, I’ve no ten-sion now as my child (JaPa) will live on. My all pains and confusions have gone now. Ja-tiya Party and you (party men) will remain alive with only this announcement [making GM Quader co-chairman].”

The former military dictator, now in his mid-80s, came up with the remarks while speaking at a reception to newly appointed party co-chairman and secretary general ar-ranged by Jatiya Party’s Dhaka

City North unit at a city hotel.At a press conference in the city on January

19, the JaPa chief made GM Quader his party’s co-chairman and removed Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu as the party secretary general and re-placed him with Ruhul Amin Howlader.

Ershad said his decision to make his both-er co-chairman and Howlader secretary gen-eral was correct. “I’d no idea earlier only an announcement can generate such enthusi-asm and revive the party. This announce-ment is one of the great jobs I did in my po-litical career.”

He highly praised Howlader for what he said his sincerity, dedication and a� ection for him and the party, saying, “Ruhul Amin How-lader had been in the post of my party’s secre-tary general. He never utter any word against me after removing him from the post…on the other hand, I’ d made a person (Bablu) secre-tary general who expelled me from my party after I gave my brother a post.” l

News 3D

TFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Fire at city’s Central Hospital, no injuries reportedn Tribune Report

A � re broke out in the basement of Central Hospital in the capital’s Green Road yester-day, however, no one was reported injured in the incident.

Fire � ghters managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour.

Witnesses at the spot said people inside the hospital and around panicked as soon as the � re broke out. Some patients who were on the ground � oor of the hospital rushed outside in fear, and some admitted patients were also taken out by panicked family mem-bers, the witnesses said.

The hospital’s Administration O� cer

Khalilur Rahman said: “Patients were shifted to safer places after the � re broke out. They were brought back to their respective wards after the � re was doused.”

He said at � rst it was assumed that the � re originated from a CNG-cylinder blast of an ambulance kept at the hospital’s basement. But � re o� cials con� rmed that the blaze was not from a blast and might have originated from an electric short-circuit, he added.

Mamun Mahmud, additional deputy di-rector of � re service, said the � re had origi-nated around 1:30pm and after receiving in-formation, seven units of � re � ghters rushed to the spot and brought the � ames under control around 2:35pm. l

Kader's petition rejectedn Tribune Report

The High Court has upheld the Election Com-mission’s decision to cancel the candidacy of Krishak Sramik Janata League President Ab-dul Kader Siddique, a Bir Uttam, for the Tan-gail 4 by-election.

The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Zafar Ahmed rejected the writ pe-tition � led by the former Awami League lead-er challenging the legality of cancellation of his candidacy.

The court also directed the EC to hold the election.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had extended a stay order on holding the polls until the peti-tion was disposed of by the High Court.

The Tangail 4 constituency (Kalihati) fell vacant following the resignation of expelled Awami League lawmaker Abdul Latif Sid-dique from parliament.

The EC on September 16 last year issued

a noti� cation � xing November 10 for the by-poll. It asked aspirants to submit their nomi-nation papers by October 11.

Kader Siddique also submitted his appli-cation. But the returning o� cer cancelled his nomination on loan default charges on October 13.

The ruling Awami League has nominated Md Hasan Imam Khan (Sohel Hazari), the for-mer upazila chairman of Kalihati, to contest the by-poll.

Kader, also brother of Abdul Latif Sid-dique, � led an appeal with EC but it was turned down on October 18. He then � led the petition with the High Court against the EC’s decision.

The High Court came up with an order in favour of the petitioner and asked the EC to accept his nomination paper.

But the government challenged the High Court order and the Appellate Division stayed the election proceedings. l

1. Fire � ghters are hard at work to douse the � re that broke out in the basement of Central Hospital Ltd in the capital’s Green Road area yesterday. 2. An elderly patient is taken out of the hospital by a family member after word spread about the � re 3. A nurse takes a newborn baby back to the hospital after � re � ghters bring the � re under control MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

1 2

3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016News4DT

Home boss’s statement demanded on police atrocitiesn Mohammad Al Masum Molla

Jatiya Party lawmaker Pir Fazlur Rahman yesterday demanded home minister’s state-ment on recent ‘heinous activities’ of a sec-tion of police personnel.

The lawmaker while speaking on a point of order mentioned four incidents of police har-assment of people and sought home ministers’ statement on a matter of public importance under Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure. 

“Who are they among the police men? I wanted to know from home minister what actions have been taken  against those who are doing heinous activities and tarnishing image of police men,” Fazlu said.

He also said exemplary punishment should be taken as some members of police

are trying to divert the attention of people from ongoing development of the govern-ment projects.

Referring to report available on di� erent on-line news portal, the lawmaker said a tea seller of Dhaka’s Mirpur area who su� ered burns af-ter being pushed by a police source died while undergoing treatments yesterday afternoon. 

Tea vendor Babul Matabbar su� ered se-vere burns as he fell on a kerosene stove af-ter allegedly being pushed by a police source accompanied by some police who were out to pick him up from his stall on Wednesday night as he refused to pay toll.

The lawmaker also pointed at the recent brutality of police on a Bangladesh Bank o� -cial, a Dhaka South City Corporation o� cial, and a female student. l

Dhaka court accepts charges against cricketer Shahadat, wifen Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday accepted charges against cricketer Kazi Shahadat Hossain and his wife Jesmin Jahan Nitto for torturing their 11-year-old domestic help.

Judge Tanjina Ismail of Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal 5 is-sued the order after taking cognisance of the charges and scheduled the hearing of charge framing against the couple on February 22.

Both the accused were present at yester-day’s hearing.

The court also granted bail to Nitto until the February 22 hearing, responding to her petition as her previous bail period expired yesterday.

Mirpur police station OC (investigation) Md Sha� qur Rahman, who is also the inves-tigation o� cer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against the couple on December

29 last year.Earlier, suspended national cricketer Sha-

hadat secured bail from the High Court on December 8 citing health issues, while Nitto was granted bail on December 1 as she has a nursing baby.

According to the case, a journalist named Khandkar Mozammel Haque found the 11-year-old child, who used to work as a housemaid at Shahadat’s residence, lying injured on the street in a Pallabi neighbour-hood in the capital on September 6.

The victim told him how Shahadat and Nitto beat her mercilessly and, no longer able to endure the torture, she � ed their res-idence.

Mozammel took her to police and � led a case against the couple with Mirpur Model police station under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 the next day. l

DNCC launches training for sta� n Tribune Report

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has launched a three-day training session for the corporation’s employees in a view to in-creasing competence.

The training titled ‘O� ce Management’ was launched on Tueday.

DNCC Chief Executive O� cer Md Mesbahul islam was present at the launcing ceremony.

At least 25 employees of the Dhaka North City Corporation have so far been trained.

The training sessions were held at the DNCC central o� ce, said a press release yes-terday. lThe DNCC training session in progress DHAKA TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016News 5

DT

PRAYERTIMES

Cox’s Bazar 27 19Dhaka 28 14 Chittagong 26 16 Rajshahi 28 12 Rangpur 26 12 Khulna 28 14 Barisal 29 16 Sylhet 27 10T E M P E R AT U R E F O R E C A S T F O R TO DAY

Source: Accuweather/UNB

D H A K ATODAY TOMORROW

SUN SETS 5:47PM SUN RISES 6:38AM

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW30.1ºC 8.3ºC

Sitakunda DinajpurFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Source: IslamicFinder.org

Fajr: 5:21am | Jumma: 12:13amAsr: 4:09pm | Magrib: 5:45pmEsha: 7:15pm

FOGGY

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim assures ‘tree man’ Abul Bajandar, 25, of full government support for his treatment during a visit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Fund prime concern for setting up digital forensic lab n Ishtiaq Husain

The government is planning to establish a fully � edged digital forensic laboratory to help the law enforcement agencies and other state bodies detect criminals and ensure in-formation security of the country.

“In this technological era there is no oth-er alternative to set up a digital forensic lab. The ICT Division is seriously planning to es-tablish a lab by this year considering the cur-rent situation,” State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said.

Primarily, the laboratory would be es-tablished in Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) building at Agargaon in the city. Later it will be shifted to a suitable place for better coordination with all the government agen-cies.

“Finance is one of the most important factors in establishing this lab. Size of the lab will also depend on the funding,” Palak said.

Initially, the ICT Division is trying to man-age fund from the Korea International Coop-

eration Agency (KOICA) and two other coun-tries through the External Relations Division (ERD).

In August last year, Palak announced that China would assist Bangladesh in establish-ing a digital forensic lab after a meeting with Chinese ICT Industry Minister Wang Xudong.

Digital forensics is a branch of forensic sci-ence encompassing the recovery and inves-tigation of material found in digital devices, often in relation to computer-related crimes. Currently, several law enforcement agen-

cies have some equipment to deal with such crimes. Once established, all the agencies would be able to take assistance from the lab.

The digital forensic lab is integrated with the Digital Security Act. So before establish-ing this lab, formulation of a digital informa-tion law is important which would be help-ful to detect any criminal by using the latest technological devices.

The Digital Security Act 2016 is now await-ing the prime minister’s node. Later it would be sent to the cabinet for approval.

“While the digital economy is expanding, it is an urgent need to set up a digital forensic lab in the country,” Ashraful Islam, execu-tive director of BCC, told the Dhaka Tribune. “This lab will play a vital role in detecting the cyber criminals,” he added.

Uttam Kumar Paul, general secretary of Bangladesh Association of Software and In-formation Services (BASIS), said that the in-itiative was time be� tting as criminal activ-ities based on digital devices had increased signi� cantly. l

Govt to pay medical bills for ‘tree man’ Abul n Abid Azad

The government would bear all costs for the treatment of Abul Bajandar, whose rare med-ical condition has earned him the nickname “tree man,” the health minister has said.

Mohammed Nasim gave the assurance in a press conference yesterday at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He also urged doctors to provide Abul the best treatment.

Abul, 26, has been su� ering from an ex-tremely rare genetic skin disorder called ep-idermodysplasia verruciform, which is also referred to as the “tree man disease,” an im-mune de� ciency.

He is only the � fth reported person in the world to be su� ering from the condition.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator at DMCH burn institute, said the six-member medical board for Abul has already contacted with Dr Martin Cast, who has been researching the disorder for the past two decades at the Nor-ris Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Univer-sity of Southern California.

“Dr Martin asked us to send Abul’s blood and tissue for a biopsy test. World Health Or-ganisation also agreed to cooperate with us. We hope to send Abul’s blood and tissue to the US soon,” Dr Samanta said.

Locally, tests are also being run at Interna-tional Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDRB) and Institute of Epidemi-ology, Disease Control and Research, he added.

The course of treatment for Abul would be decided after the medical board further anal-yses the situation, Dr Samanta said. l

World Cancer Day observed n Tribune Report

The World Cancer Day was observed yesterday in the country as elsewhere across the globe. Discussions and awareness programmes were held at di� erent places around the capital.

In the morning, Bangladesh Cancer Soci-ety brought out a rally that started from in front of the National Museum and ended at the National Press Club.

A discussion was held at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) at its conference room.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim said: “Although we have brought many develop-ments in the treatment of cancer, but it is still not enough to ensure a cancer-free country.

“Since cancer treatment is expensive, we need to be aware and should take preventive actions rather than only rely on treatment.”

He further said: “You [private hospitals] can pro� t from the treatments but it should be reasonable. The poor and middle class people should be able to a� ord the treat-ments for life threatening diseases.”

The discussion was presided over by NICRH Director General Professor Dr Moar-raf Hossain. Health Minister for State Jahid Malek. l

Digital forensics is a branch of forensic science encompassing the recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices, often in relation to computer-related crimes

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016News6DT

Children pledge to save the Sundarbansn Tribune Report

The students of a secondary school near the Sundarbans in Shyamnagar of Satkhira have vowed to save the mangrove forest for their own future.

They made the pledge while participating in the inaugural function of “The Mangrove Children, A Private Initiative” on the school premises on Sunday.

The programme was conceived by Corpo-rate Social Responsibility (CSR) consultancy � rm BizCare and directed by Nature Alliance, an environmental awareness campaigner.

Local non-governmental organisation JOAR is implementing the programme which aims to raise awareness among children of

the Sundarban region about the importance of the mangrove forest and developing their capacity to adapt to climate change.

At the programme, BizCare Chief Exec-utive Mohiuddin Babar said the underlying theme is to enable children exploit their emotional rights over parents and relatives to stay away from logging trees in the forest.

He informed that an eco-library will be presented to the school at the end of the pro-gramme. He also urged the corporate organ-isations to get involved in such programmes as part of their CSR engagement.

JOAR Executive Director Abdur Rahman Akash said the eight-module programme will enable children to be more a� ectionate to the forest. l

Matia: Time to turn towards cash cropsn Tribune Report

After becoming self-su� cient in food pro-duction, it is now time to turn towards grow-ing cash crops and that change will bene� t the farmers, Agriculture Minister Begum Ma-tia Chowdhury has said.

She was speaking as the chief guest at the Agro Biz Expo 2016, organised by the East West University’s Agro Industrial Club on Wednesday.

“In addition to continuing e� orts to keep up the rising trend in food production, the government is now given more emphasis

on growing genetically modi� ed crops,” the minister said.

“The good news is that so far no evidence has been found that genetically modi� ed crops pose any harm to the environment,” she added.

Organisations such as ACI, Unilever, Square, Nestle, PRAN and Golden Harvest displayed their products in their own stalls at the Agro Biz Expo 2016.

In the accompanying seminar, Gowher Rizvi, advisor to the prime minister, and M Anis Ud Dowla, chairman of ACI Limited were present as special guests. l

SC: Complete Ekram murder trial in six monthsn Tribune Report

The Supreme Court yesterday scrapped a bail order for an accused in Phulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque murder case, and asked the trial court concerned to � nish its proceedings by six months.

The four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, passed the order after hearing a government petition against a bail awarded by the High Court to Jahangir Kabir Adel, an accused in the case.

On January 16 last year, the High Court granted bail to local AL leader Adel in the case of killing Feni’s Phulgazi upazila chairman on May 20, 2014. The government moved against the bail order, seeking a stay from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court chamber judge then stayed the High Court order and forwarded it to the regular bench for hearing.

The Appellate Division bench con� rmed the chamber judge’s order, which ensures that Adel cannot be released from jail until the lower court disposes of the case, said Deputy Attorney General Khondker Diliruzzaman. l

Hannan, son denied bailn Tribune Report

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 has de-nied the bail petition � led by Jatiya Party lawmaker MA Hannan and his son Ra� que Sajjad in a war crimes case.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque also directed the jail author-ities to ensure necessary medical treatment

for the accused.Hannan, member of parliament from My-

mensingh 7 constituency, and his son sought bail in a case which was � led on January 25 accusing them of committing crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.

They were arrested on October 1, 2015 following an arrest order issued by thetribunal. l

A student of the Nekjania High School in Buri Goalini of Shyamnagar in Satkhira receives prize for best performance in Nature Walk and Talk contest in the Sundarbans on Sunday PHOTO: COURTESY

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016News 7

DT

PM urges teachers to raise students as ideal citizensn BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon the teachers to educate the chil-dren from tender age about practicing princi-ples and values to raise them up as the ideal citizens of the country.

“You have to give special attention to edu-cate the children about what is right and what is wrong. You have to provide them with the knowledge so that they can judge what is just, and what is unjust. And you have to infuse the spirit of patriotism in them to nourish them as real citizen,” she said while inaugurating the ‘National Primary Education Week-2016’ at a function at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital.

The prime minister said: “Teaching is a great profession. We still respect our teach-ers for the ideals which we have from them during our childhood. Your guidance and teaching are very essential to save them from the drug and militancy.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bang-ladesh would be completely free from illiter-acy within a very short time due to her gov-ernment’s constant stride since its inception in o� ce in 2009 at a ccost of Tk452 crore. The initiative was delayed as BNP-Jammat had shelved a ‘district-based’ project undertaken by Awami League government in its � rst stint from 1996-2001.

“Multifaceted programmes of our gov-

ernment including free distribution of text-books, mid-day meal, school uniform and stipend helped increasing the literacy rate to 7% at present, and very shortly it would be hundred percent,” she said adding “We want each and every children would happily go to school.”

Minister for Primary and mass Education Mosta� zur Rahman presided over the func-tion while chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Motahar Hossain was present as special guest.

Secretary of the ministry M Humayun Khalid and Director General of Department of Primary Education Mohamad Alamgir also

spoke on the occasion.School dropout rate was 50.5% during

the regime of BNP-Jamaat which declined to 20.4% during the tenure of the present gov-ernment, she said adding the government has already introduced mid-day meal for 29 lakh students in 96 poverty-ridden upazi-las. “The school feeding system would be expanded in other upazilas with the help of local generous people,” she said.

The prime minister said her government has upgraded the position of head teachers from grades-three to grade two. Under the new pay scale, she announced that process is going on for elevating the salary structure of the assistant teachers’ one step forward. l

Dhaka wants stronger ties with Ankaran UNB

Bangladesh has urged Turkish government to ‘give a push’ to enhance the bilateral trade and investment between the two countries as it sees huge potentials for that on all fronts.

“There’s enormous potential to expand our bilateral cooperation further,” Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said yesterday.

He made the remarks when Turkish Am-bassador to Bangladesh Devrim Ozturk met him at his o� ce at the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, they discussed var-

ious issues of bilateral relations as well as di� erent regional and international issues of mutual interest. Terming the ties between Bangladesh and Turkey as ‘excellent’, the Foreign Minister stressed the exchanges of business delegations on both ways.

The Ambassador recommended that there is a scope for cooperation in tourism and construction sectors where Turkey has vast experience and remarkable success.

Both sides agreed on holding the consul-tations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.l

Govt o� cial’s wife found dead in capitaln Tribune Report

Police yesterday recovered the body of a gov-ernment o� cial’s wife in the capital’s Kafrul area.

The deceased, Mahmuda Begum, 38, was the wife of Disaster Management and Relief Ministry’s Auditor Md Jahurul Islam.

Her family said she had committed suicide but police said it was a mysterious death.

Jahurul told the Dhaka tribune Mahmu-da slit her throat with a sharp kitchen tool around 12:30am yesterday.

“Hearing her scream, my son Maruf rushed to her room and found her dead. We took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared her dead,” he said.

The civil servant also said his wife had been mentally ill for the past few months and was under treatment.

Shikder Mohammad Shamim Hossain, o� cer-in-charge of Kafrul police station, Mahmuda died mysteriously even though it had been claimed by the family as suicide.

“We are investigating the death,” headded. l

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivering her speech at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital on the occasion of National Primary Education Week-2016 FOCUS BANGLA

News8DTFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Minister: Smokers not welcome at medical colleges n Tribune Report

MBBS exam quali� ers must vow never to smoke or take drugs in order to secure their admission to the country’s medical colleges, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim told par-liament yesterday.

Medical college teachers will also be re-quired to make this commitment.

“We have decided that from this year, every student that passes the MBBS admis-sions test will have to give an undertaking never to smoke. Otherwise, they will not be admitted even though they have quali� ed,” Nasim said responding to a query in the house.

He urged parents and teachers to ask stu-dents not to smoke and to raise awareness about the health risks associated with smoking.

In reply to another query, the health minister said his ministry was considering increasing the number of places at the coun-try’s medical colleges. There are currently 3,212 places at the 31 government medical colleges and another 5,980 seats at the coun-try’s 66 private medical colleges, he said.

Responding to another query, Nasim said according to government statistics, there were 4,143 HIV-positive patients in Bangla-desh as of November, 2015. l

Teachers to wait till Feb 23 for solutionn Arif Ahmed

Federation of Bangladesh Public University Teachers (FBUTA) yesterday extended their “no agitation” plan until February 23 over their issue of eradicating discrepancies in the new pay scale.

They would come up with fresh pro-grammes if their demands for separate pay scale and reducing disparities are not solved within this time.

Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, secretary gen-eral of the FBUTA, made the announcement following a meeting at DU Teachers’ Club.

“We will sit on February 23 to assess the development. Then we will decide the next course of our movement,” he said, adding that they were expecting to meet the prime minister before February 23.

“We hope to get positive response as soon as possible as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is concerned over the situation,” Prof Kamal said.

Representatives of the FBUTA are set to meet with education and � nance secretaries on February 7. University Grants Commis-sion (UGC) Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan is expected to chair the meetings.

The public university teachers observed sev-en-day strike last month. Getting assurance from the premier, they postponed the strike on Jan-uary 20 and announced to declare further pro-gramme on February 3 viewing the progress. l

IN SEARCH OF ROOTS

Dutch woman of Bangladesh origin visits country after 37 years in quest for ancestryn FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong

I do not recall my last address in Bangladesh but I strongly believe I can � nd out my near and dear ones, said Sultana Van Der List, a Dutch woman of Bangladeshi origin who has come to Bangladesh after 37 years to � nd her roots.

“I do not even know who my parents are and where they hailed from. But still I have come here as I believe I can meet a family member or relative,” Sultana, overwhelmed with emotion, told a press conference at Chittagong Press Club yesterday.

A school teacher by profession, Sultana, her husband Joris Jacobs and son Noa Abed Nabila came to Bangladesh on February 1 and SLOPB-Bangladesh, a Dutch-run NGO, is sup-porting their stay in the country.

The 41-year-old woman said she was una-ble to recall the name of even a single mem-ber of her family or the address of her ances-tral house at Dohazari union in Chittagong’s Chandanaish upazila.

“I have no memory of my childhood in Dohazari. I just have some pictures of Do-hazari railway station and a market that date back to my childhood,” she said.

It was Sultana’s grandmother Rahima Khatun who had handed her over to a Dutch couple through an organisation in Dhaka back in 1979.

“They adopted me and brought me up with care and a� ection like their other chil-dren in the Netherlands,” Sultana said.

Ismail Sarif, human resources manag-er at icddr,b who is assisting Sultana, told the Dhaka Tribune they had already soughthelp from the local administration,police and local freedom � ghters to trace Sultana’s relatives or � nd out her ancestral address.

“We will explore each and every option to � nd any member of Sultana’s family in Bangladesh or relative,” said Sarif, a former programme manager at SLOPB- Bangladesh.

Sultana is scheduled to return to the Neth-erlands on February 11. l

TIB stresses social movement against graftn Kamrul Hasan

A social movement must be waged to get rid of corruption from every corner of the soci-ety, an anti-corruption young campaign has concluded.

“I may not be able to eliminate corruption from the society fully, but I can make sure that no corruption is done by me that may harm others and the society.”

Sabuj Ahmed, a participant of the Trans-parency International (TIB) Sanak-Yes Nation-al Conference 2016, made the vow yesterday.

This year the national conference is being held after three years. The conference facil-itated young people to communicate and share their views and thoughts with the oth-er members of the organisation.

At the programme, speakers stressed on the need for practicing accountability, in-creasing self-consciousness and eliminating corruption from the society.

Earlier yesterday, TIB Chairman Sultana Kamal inaugurated the programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Cen-tre in Dhaka.

In her speech, Sultana emphasised on ac-countability and conscience to � ght corrup-tion in the country.

“A citizen must report to the police when they see anything wrong happening around them and the police should take immediate actions regarding the matter,” she said.

Selina Hossain, secretary general of the TIB Board of Trustees, emphasised on waging a social movement against all institutional cor-ruption including the corruption in the edu-cation, health and local government sectors.

She also said: “It is very important to wage a social movement against those who are kill-

ing the bloggers and hurting the writers.”Citing the Language Movement as one of

the nation’s strongest sources of power, Seli-na said: “We need a social movement to pre-vent similar incidents that took place in the Ekushey Boi Mela last year.”

In his welcoming speech, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said they had been working to establish good governance, defy-ing all criticism and risks.

He said TIB followed transparency in run-ning its operations as a registered entity.

“We do not receive or spend a single pen-ny without the government’s auhtorisation. TIB needs to answer to the government al-ways,” he said.

He also said that some people have turned TIB into their political competitor and some others compared the organisation with mil-itant groups such as the Islamic State (IS).

“Such attempts are impeding our work.”Because of TIB’s advocacy, some policies

and laws have been modi� ed and Bangla-desh has become a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, he highlighted.

Around 3,000 young people from across the country participated in the prgramme. A huge number of young members from the “YES and YES” were among them. l

TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal and its Trustee Board’s Secretary General Selina Hossain accept crests from the anti-graft watchdog’s Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman at TIB Sanak-Yes National Conference held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016News 9

DT

A faction of the ruling Awami League and its student front Bangladesh Chhatra League vandalise Rangpur’s Primary Education O� ce yesterday as they were not invited at a programme, marking the National Primary Education Week DHAKA TRIBUNE

Case against MP Latif partof conspiracyn Anwar Hussain, Chittagong

A section of leaders of Chittagong city chap-ter Awami League in a joint statement yester-day said the distortion of image of Bangab-andhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was part of a continuous conspiracy against MA Latif MP.

A total of 40 people, including leaders of Chittagong city Awami League, and six ward councillors signed in the joint statement.

“Jealous of Latif’s popularity, a quarter indulged in the contemptible act only to � sh in troubled waters. The quarter has been hatching conspiracy against MA Latif for sev-en years after he became a member of parlia-ment,” said the leaders in the joint statement.

“It is really unacceptable and contempti-ble to photoshop the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the festoons and billboards. The quarter indulged in the con-temptible acts to disgrace a party fellow who is also an obedient and humane political ac-tivist,” said the leaders. l

AL attacks Rangpur Primary Education o� cen Tribune Report

A faction of the ruling Awami League and its student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) went berserk at Rangpur’s Primary Education O� ce yesterday. They beat up several people, including the district primary education o� cer.

It was alleged that the programme, mark-ing the National Primary Education Week, was attacked as Awami League leaders were not invited. But Primary Education O� cer Khalilur Rahman said the ruling party lead-ers were invited.

When students and teachers from vari-

ous schools gathered on the primary educa-tion o� ce premises to attend a rally in the morning, a group belonging to a faction of the Awami League and its student a� liate barged into Khalilur Rahman’s o� ce, police and witnesses said.

They vandalised the room asking why the Awami League leaders were invited last and beat up Khalilur and two sta� ers when they tried to stop them.

Khalilur said they were attacked when they were preparing for the rally. He said the Awami League’s district unit president along with its metropolitan unit president and sec-retary were invited as special guests.

The disgruntled men left swearing and attacked another man on their way out and snatched his mobile phone. They targeted the Rangpur Town Hall next where a discus-sion was scheduled, and took away the pro-gramme’s banner and tore up the bouquets.

Police reined in the situation. Nawabganj police outpost’s TSI Rajendra Kumar, who was present at the scene, dubbed the incident a “shameful act” but declined further comments.

Rangpur metropolitan Awami League’s General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal con-demned the attack and demanded bringing the attackers to book. “What happened here is deplorable,” he said. l

DISTRORTION OF IMAGE OF BANGABANDHU

Tk1,000 crore defamation case � led against Ctg MP Latifn Tribune Report

A Tk1,000 crore defamation case was � led against ruling party lawmaker MA Latif for distorting the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on billboards and festoons set up in Patenga and Bandar areas of the port city.

Saifuddin Ahmed, an activist of Jubo League, � led the case with the court of Met-ropolitan Magistrate Farid Alam.

Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Babul, the plainti� counsel, said the case was � led un-der section 501 and 502 of Penal Code stating that the banners and festoons hung by the lawmaker in the port city defamed Bangab-andhu.

“The magistrate took the case into cogni-zance and asked the police to submit a report

after investigation,” said the lawyer. It may be mentioned that the images of

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were installed on billboards in Chittagong city by ruling Awami League lawmaker MA Latif during the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the premier port city on January 30 of this year.

The billboards showed a photograph of the Father of the Nation. However, the pos-ture, attire and shoes did not match with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

It is alleged that MA Latif MP superim-posed just the head of Bangabandhu on the portrait of himself as the body did not resem-ble that of Bangabandhu.

After the image of the Father of the Nation went into viral on social networking sites, leaders and activists of the ruling party Awa-

mi League and its front organisation have been staging demonstration against the law-maker.

Meanwhile, another defamation case was submitted to a court of Chittagong accusing MA Latif MP.

Abdu Rahim Jillur, former deputy secre-tary on environment a� airs of Bangladesh Chhatra League central committee submit-ted the case yesterday afternoon with Chit-tagong Additional Chief Metropolitan Magis-trate Nurul Alam Nipu.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Salauddin Ahmed Rimu, the plainti� ’s counsel said that a defamation case under section 500 was submitted to the court.

“The court, however, kept the decision pending with regard to accepting the case,” said the lawyer. l

10-yr-old domestic help tortured in Bargunan Our Correspondent, Barguna

A schoolteacher was arrested by police in Barguna on Wednesday night for torturing her 10-year-old domestic help with steel rul-er and rolling pin earlier this week.

The accused, Tania Begum, is a teacher at Arpangashia Government Primary School in Amtali upazila of Barguna, sources said.

The victim said she had been employed in Tania’s home since November last year.

On Monday evening, Tania told the victim to hold her two-year-old daughter who was crying, but the victim did not follow her in-struction.

Angered by her “disobedience,” Tania started beating her with a steel ruler, and lat-er with a rolling pin.

After beating her, Tania and her husband, Ra� qul Islam, accountant at Betagi Upazila Health Complex, locked her up in a room.

The incident came to light when the vic-tim managed to escape on Tuesday evening and took shelter in the house of the local ward councillor. The victim had visible bruis-es and injuries on her body, including a cut on her right ankle and a blackened left eye.

The accused teacher denied the allega-tions against her and said she had not tor-tured the child. But when asked about her bruises, she said the victim slipped on the � oor and hurt herself.

Police promptly arrested the accused after word got out about the victim, said Amtali police station OC Pulak Chandra Roy.

The victim’s uncle has � led a case under the Child Act with the police station in this regard, the OC added. l

Tania started beating her with a steel ruler, and later with a rolling pin

Flower farming turns a boon in Kaliganjn Nayon Khandokar, Jhenidah

Flower farming has got popularity among the farmers of Jhenidah as the cultivation of the variety has become pro� table business.

Motiur Rahman, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension, said several items of � owers including rose, mari-gold, lilies, cosmos, zinnias and daisies have been cultivated on 238-acre land in Kamalhat, Kharikadanga, Doulatpur, Kadirdanga, Binod-pur, Khaldanga, Baliadanga, Dadpur, Dhala, Gopinathpur, Tilla, Simla, Dumurtala, Rokun-pur, Gobordanga, Patlabila, Paikpara, Telkup, Gutiani and Ganna villages in Kaliganj upazila.

On the other hand, the � owers were culti-vated on � ve hectare land in the other parts of the district.

“One can get started with very little – just enough for seeds and supplies, make money in the � rst year,” he said.

This year, the farmers will earn Tk7 crore by selling � owers, he added.

The � owers are sent to several areas of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet after meeting up the local demand, said growers.

When visited, it was found that hundreds of farmers have come with � owers at Balia-danga and Kaliaganj bus stand to sell the pro-duction.

The farmers said the demand of the � ow-ers prevail during the year. But the demand increases on the new year-day, Valentines day, 21st February, victory day and Inde-pendence day.

The people also buy � owers on their sev-eral occasions including marriage day and birth day.

The � ower cultivators remain busy always as the demand prevails during the year and recently the demand has increased.

Many � ower growers have found the Fri-day’s farmer’s market for top prices.

The grower sell their � owers like lilies,

cosmos, zinnias and daisies, and � nds the demand so great before noon.

They think � owers are the perfect sea-sonal crop because they are easy to grow, produce quickly and supply an income all season long.

Flower workers, locally known as daugh-ters of � ower, Najma, Nurjahan, Sarawsati and Ayesha Begum said they had work dur-ing the year.

They support their family with the money what they get from their work and they do not have to face � nancial crisis.

Many persons living in the area had taken loan from NGOs. They had paid the install-ments after getting income from the � ower gardening. Now they do not have to take loan from NGOs.

“Whether you live in Kaliganj, growing � owers you can get a good income and you need not any loan from anybody,” said farm-er Atiar Ali.

“This year I have earned Tk60,000 culti-vating � owers on 11 decimal land,” he said.

“I enjoy � ower gardening, and want to turn my gardening hobby into extra income,”

said former UP chairman of Baliadanga Ab-dur Razzak.

“This year I have earned Tk40,000 by cul-tivating � owers around the homesteads,” he said.

“Who loves to garden and can spare a few hours each week. It’s also a clean, green busi-ness that can be good for him and the coun-try,” he added.

When, contacted, Fulchashi Samity Chair-man Fazlur Rahman said: “If the government come to help the farmers, they can be more bene� ted.” l

News10DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Mentally challenged woman crushed to death under train n Tribune Report

A mentally-challenged woman was crushed to death under the wheels of a train in Chit-tagong’s Sitakunda upazila yesterday morn-ing.

The deceased was identi� ed as, Saki Akhtar, 22, wife of Md Helal, hailing from Foujdarhat area of Sitakunda, said Govern-ment Railway Police (GRP) sources.

Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI) Manoranjan Ray, in-charge of Foujdarhat GRP Outpost told Dhaka Tribune that the accident had tak-en place in front of Foujdarhat Cadet College around 7:30am.

Quoting the family members the ASI said Saki had been su� ering from mental stress while the woman came out to her house in the morning and crushed under the train wheels.

Being informed, police recovered the body and sent in to Chittagong Medical Col-lege Morgue (CMCH) for autopsy, said the ASI. An unnatural death case was � led in this connection. l

Call to start primary education of indigenous communities in their mother tonguen Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Civil society leaders of di� erent indigenous communities urged the government to start primary education in their mother tongue.

They also expressed their dissatisfaction as the government is yet to take any step to start primary education in mother languages of the people of 13 indigenous communities living in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Monindra Lal Tripura, ex-chairman of Kha-grachhari Hill District Council, said starting pri-mary education in the respected mother tongue was made mandatory as per CHT peace accord signed between government and leading indig-enous forum Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sangh-ity Samity (PCJSS) on December 2, 1997.

He said as per the treaty, the government should ensure primary education of all in-digenous children in their mother languages. But both the governments of the BNP and the Awami League (AL) failed to show good in-tention in implementing the programme.

Another Civil society leader Santushito Chakma Bakul said members of 13 minority indigenous communities were speaking in 10 di� erent indigenous languages had been de-manding for long to start primary education in their own languages.

“We were dissatis� ed as government yet to full � ll our long time demands, he added”.

The running Khagrachhari Hill District Coun-cil Chairman Kongjori Chowdhury said Chakma language was being used at Chakma villages, Kokborok language being used at Tripura villag-es and Marma language at Marma villages.

In the process, the children are learning their own culture and tradition. Schooling has become enjoyable to indigenous children.

Acting District Primary Education O� cer (DPEO) Md Mamun Kabir said: “We sent the list of students to concerned ministry and the best of my knowledge ministry has been preparing books on pre-primary level. They would train teachers after preparing the books and later it would start in primary schools in CHT. l

‘Change negative mindset about trans-gender people’n Tribune Report

CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondal yes-terday inaugurated a trans-gender rehabil-itation programme at Alangkar area under Pahartali police station in the city.

Addressing as the chief guest the cer-emony, the CMP commissioner said the trans-gender people did not need to worry as the Chittagong City Corporation and Chit-tagong Metropolitan Police authorities were beside them.

The CMP commissioner also urged all to change the negative mindset about the trans-gender people in the society.

Later, the CMP Commissioner formally inaugurated ‘Rani Store’, a shop owned by a trans-gender person identi� ed as Meghrani.

“We want to rehabilitate other trans-gen-der people like Meghrani. All should come forward and extend their helping hands to-wards the trans-gender people in the coun-try,” said the CMP commissioner. l

Two � ower growers take advice from an o� cial of Department of Agricultural Extension, Kaliganj Jhenaidah. The photo was taken yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

INSIDE

Dhaka Tribune is proud to be one of the over 50 international partners supporting the third Dhaka Art Summit which opens today at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The Dhaka Art Summit sponsored by Golden Harvest and the Samdani Art Foundation is the largest non-commercial research and exhibition platform for South Asian Art in the world.

DAS provides a unique opportunity for the public to view the works of nearly 300 artists from the South Asia region right in the centre of Dhaka free of charge.

The � ve-day exhibition is being complemented by talks and seminars with prominent artists and curators from the world’s leading art galleries and museums, including Centre Pompidou in Paris, London’s Tate, New Yorks’ Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Harvard South Asia Institute.

As can be seen by the appreciative crowds drawn by its previous editions, the organisers of DAS are proving increasingly successful in presenting the variety and wealth of South Asia’s rich artistic heritage and culture to large Bangladeshi audiences.

Not only does this bring art to life for our public, but it increases interest in South Asian art at a global level by actively involving world renowned curators and leading institutions.

The Dhaka Art Summit sets a tremendous example for private philanthropy in our country through its ambition and year round partnerships with leading world institutions. This goes beyond simply playing an important function by nurturing art in a country where public funding is scarce to helping South Asian art and culture attract the international attention it truly deserves.

We hope DAS will help increase public interest and support for the arts in our region and inspire an increasing number of talented Bangladeshi artists to make their mark on the world stage.

DAS provides a unique opportunity for the public to view the works of nearly 300 artists from the South Asia region right in the centre of Dhaka free of charge

Doing business the Chittagong way

Averting disasterToday 32% people live in urban areas in Bangladesh, compared to only 7% in 1971. However, the issue of urban disaster had been only taken into consideration in 2012. The progress appears unpromising compared to the improvement in coastal areas

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‘Jamaat is certainly not anti-capitalist’Theoretically, Jamaat o� ers an alternative Islamic socio-economic and political system. However, such a vision of an Islamic state at present is nothing short of an agenda of interest-free welfare capitalist model. It is, at best, a form of regulated capitalism

One recurring thing of beauty that all these groups have in common is that they recruited their HR heads, marketing heads, CFOs, or even IT heads from neighbouring countries or global multi-nationals

Dhaka Art Summit showcases the best of South Asia

11D

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Be heardWrite to Dhaka Tribune

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Send us your Op-Ed articles:opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com

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The views expressed in Opinion articles are those of the authors

alone. They do not purport to be the o� cial view of Dhaka

Tribune or its publisher.

n Mamun Rashid

My banking industry friends who have lent too much money to a few Chittagong-based clients, are now struggling to recover

even a portion of what they loaned out, may be surprised with this caption.

However, I must say, the Chittagong I am going to talk about does not include the newer business houses, who were not able to uphold their end of the loans, but in fact had diverted the funds to non-productive sectors.

Reportedly, a few had even siphoned the money to overseas accounts. To me, Chittagong equates to the Abul Khair group, TK group, the PHP family, Kabir group, Habib group, BSRM, KDS, Paci� c Jeans, and the Ispahanis -- I literally grew up with them, tried to bring in the best of the services for them, and remained identi� ed in their growth process.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Paci� c Jeans nearing $400 million in terms of export. Their products are going to Uniqlo, Gap, Levis, H&M -- more pleasingly, they are heavily contributing in the design process of the apparel they are producing for these biggies.

They have built a bigger production base, ensured compliance in every bit of the production process, their people are happy, and they are heavily investing in process re-engineering and IT-enabled services.

If you had not paid any attention to the Abul Khair Group � ve or ten years earlier, you wouldn’t be able to spot the dramatic changes they have brought in now -- the way they manage their production plants, their

distribution channel/supply chain, market their products, manage their procurement, and, of course, operate their � nancial management and IT works.

I remember quarrelling with Mr Abul Kashem over investing so much money in order to build a large cement factory, the biggest challenge being people and low-cost � nancing to compete with global operators.

Mr Kashem proved me wrong. A typical trader in commodities has gradually transformed him into a brilliant industrialist. He has employed the best people from both home and abroad, and only last year closed with a group turnover of $1.95bn equivalent.

The group has heavily invested in

building be� tting systems, processes, and platforms.

I can claim to be a silent observer of the miseries and challenges the erstwhile RM, and now PHP family, has gone through.

The large RM Group broke apart and the “M” from RM -- Su� Mizanur Rahman -- was forced into nothingness. But, in his own words, “divine blessings” and “good intention” backed by “hard work” brought him back on track. Now the “R” is nowhere to be seen, and the new PHP family is closing large deals with Asahi in Japan and Proton from Malaysia.

Along with his brilliant sons, he is dreaming big and working hard to bring

in respectable changes through � nancial transparency and production e� ciency.

TK group is not lagging behind either. They have opted for consolidation and operational e� ciency, with their next generation joining the business as well. They are open to ideas and are now likely to open up further avenues in business.

The same can be said of BSRM. Seeing their o� ce, talking to their executives, or the owning family members, nobody would be able to tell the amount of trouble they were in when the price of steel plummeted in 2007/08, and they had a large inventory carried over for a very high price.

Habib Group and Kabir Group are also trying to catch up fast with global standards in a � ercely competitive market.

They have learned the tricks of negotiation and are now able to ensure the best prices.

Their next generation is returning from abroad is trying to elevate the business to new heights.

The Ispahanis are loved and well-respected for their corporate governance and the restrain they follow in running their businesses. So is the KDS group -- trying their best to foster production and procurement excellence through a better understanding of the ups and downs in the global market-places.

One recurring thing of beauty that all these groups have in common is that they recruited their HR heads, marketing heads, CFOs, or even IT heads from neighbouring countries or global multi-nationals. They are no more “penny wise and pound foolish.” Business owners are delegating a lot to their reporting seniors.

They are investing in their people and heavily investing to bring in operational e� ciency.Their IT expenditure is also signi� cant.

Most of them have accessed foreign currency loans of bringing down their � nancing costs. Contrary to the past, a few of them have signi� cantly brought down their bank borrowing, and are depending more on their internal cash generation.

With many of them, gone are the days of hiding pro� ts or evading taxes. A few even have even told me that they want to compete with the Tatas and Reliances.

If it were 10 years ago, I would have laughed while reading this myself. But seeing what the abovementioned groups have achieved during the past few years, and how they are transforming themselves fast and are shifting to a quality-� rst attitude, I wouldn’t even dare. l

Mamun Rashid is a business professor and � nancial sector entrepreneur.

Opinion12DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Can Chittagong take us to the top? BIGSTOCK

One recurring thing of beauty that all these groups have in common is that they recruited their HR heads, marketing heads, CFOs, or even IT heads from neighbouring countries or global multi-nationals. They are no more ‘penny wise and pound foolish’

When it comes to successful responsible business, Chittagong shows how it’s done

Doing business the Chittagong way

Opinion 13D

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

n Kazi Md Muktikul Islam

It was 1989 when disaster became internationally declared an evil by the UN, and evil to � ght against like we � ght against hunger, poverty, or climate

change. Every decade since the 1990s, World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) has taken place to set guidelines for the member states. From Yokohama (in 1994) and Kobe (in 2005) to Sendai (in 2015), these conferences elevated the international pro� le of DRR.

Bangladesh is one of the earliest signatories to such global � ghts against disaster. Over the years, e� ective policies and initiatives resulted in the reduction of disaster casualties very rapidly, especially in the coastal region of our country.

Yet, the challenge remains for urban disaster risk reduction with growing internal migration to big cities like Dhaka. Incorporation of disaster risk reduction strategies in development plans is one of the keys for achieving many of the recently agreed Sustainable Development Goals.

According to UNISDR, “Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through system-atic e� orts to analyse and reduce the causal factors of disasters.” Global achievement re-garding DRR is not insigni� cant. Since Hyo-go Framework for Action in 2005, 87% of the nations already reported to have considered DRR in public investment, and 121 countries have set up policy framework for DRR.

In � nancial progress, around $13 billion had been spent for DRR between 1991 to 2010 -- 50% of which went to the top 10 recipient countries, with Bangladesh being

one of them. Yet, after 25 years of the � ght against

disaster, global risk has not been reduced substantially. Disaster continues to take a heavy toll -- the last 10 years saw 23 million people homeless, 1.4 million injured, and 700,000 lives lost. According to Global Assessment Report (GAR) 2015, 42 million lives were lost in internationally reported disaster events between 1980 and 2012.

Besides, Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disaster (ERED) shows that 170 million people were annually a� ected between 2005 and 2014.

The expected average annual loss as a result of disasters is $314bn. If the risks were divided equally amongst the world’s population, that would be equal to two months’ income of people living below $1.25 per day poverty line. There is also major infrastructural loss due to disaster. The earthquake in Haiti damaged 4,000 schools alone in 2010, and 4.4 million people in Japan were detached from electricity due to tsunami and earthquake.

In March last year, 6,500 delegates from public, private, and civil society organisa-tions attended the third World Conference on DRR in Sendai, Japan. After reviewing the past progress and series of negotiations, the 187 UN member states agreed on Sendai Framework of DRR 2015-2030.

The framework states that it will “apply to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters, caused by natural or man- made hazards as well as related environmental, technological, and biological hazards and risks.”

With seven speci� c targets (eg reduction

of disaster causalities, infrastructure loss, increasing � nance, international cooperation, etc), the Sendai Framework focuses on four priority areas such as: Understanding disaster risk, strengthening governance, investment for resilience, enhancing disaster preparedness, and Build Back Better (BBB).

Bangladesh is recognised as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and disaster by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The actions and progress in DRR has been very promising over the last decade in Bangladesh.

A separate ministry has been established, a number of policies and acts have been made, collaboration is in progress with other ministries and non-government stake-holders.

Besides, climate change and disaster management issues are incorporated in primary and secondary curriculum. More than 25% of district and upazila level DMC members ,and 26,500 of 62,000 urban volunteers have been trained. In addition to

that, 49,365 volunteers are working in the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) right now.

Our early warning system in coastal areas is globally appreciated for its massive reduction of causalities. The cyclone that killed 300,000 people in 1970 caused the number of deaths from a similar cyclone in 2007 (Sidr) to be only 3,000.

Even in Myanmar, around 84,000 people were killed due to a similar cyclone, Nargis, in 2008. In terms of � nance, Bangladesh allocated $30m to respond to disaster events. Furthermore, the government keeps a reserve of Tk100 crore in its annual budget for annual emergency responses.

Today, 32% of people live in urban areas in Bangladesh, compared to only 7% in 1971. However, the issue of urban disaster had been only taken into consideration in 2012. The progress in urban disaster appears unpromising compared to the improvement on natural disasters in coastal areas.

Disasters in the garment industries have killed an unacceptably large number of people in the past years. For over 5,000-7,000 garment industries in Bangladesh, roughly around 300 inspection o� cers are working, and only a small proportion went through thorough inspection after the collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013.

DRR is incorporated in a number of SDGs.

For the SDGs to be achieved, one of the goals is to build a resilient and sustainable city. It requires not only to ensure basic needs of city-dwellers, but also long-term planning to reduce the pressure on cities through decentralisation of basic services as well as reducing incidents of disasters.

Overall, more investment is needed for prevention than recovery. A study shows that only 13% of the DRR money globally is used for prevention.

Local knowledge and technology must be harnessed for a sustainable DRR strategy for Bangladesh. As UNICEF Director-General Anthony Lake said in Sendai: “We cannot prevent � oods, droughts, and storms, but with better planning, preparation, and response, these things don’t have to become disasters -- and they won’t, if we listen to those who know their local communities the best.” l

Kazi Md Mukitul Islam has a Masters in development studies, and is a recipient of Khazanah Asia scholarship.

Rana Plaza is a grim reminder of just how bad a disaster can be NASHIRUL ISLAM

Today 32% people live in urban areas in Bangladesh, compared to only 7% in 1971. However, the issue of urban disaster had been only taken into consideration in 2012. The progress appears unpromising compared to the improvement in coastal areas

What we did, and what more we can do

Averting disaster

n Garga Chatterjee

Maidul Islam is Assistant Professor in Political Science at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. The book, Limits of Islamism, is a comparative analysis of the ideological articulations of Jamaat-e-Islami in contemporary India and Bangladesh; the prospects, weaknesses, and limits of Jamaat remain the concerns of the book.

One of the Jamaati claims, and this is also true for the Muslim Brotherhood and other such organisations, is that they claim a certain ideological continuity of tradition, through their citing and readings and selections of the past. How far is this kind of projection true?It is true that both Jamaat and the Muslim Brotherhood often claim a certain ideological continuity of Islamic tradition through their uncritical engagement with the Islamic texts and selected readings from Islamic history, which they regard as the “golden past” or “true golden age.” However, that neither makes them pre-modern nor anti-modern because, to be modern, one has to believe in certain values and think in a particular philosophical manner.

Many Muslims believe in such pasts (sometimes authentic events of the past, while in some cases, distorted narratives about the past). Jamaat has to operate in such a context where there is an Islamic audience who believe in such “Islamic” pasts.Revisiting the past does not mean that the past could be produced now for it is impossible to experience a Medinian regime of the 7th century in the 21st century. If an “Islamic state” is ever established in any part of the world, it would be certainly di� erent from 7th century Arabia. Mimicry or imitation is bound to be a process of distortion than reproducing an original form.

What are the main political, tactical, and ideological differences between the Jamaat-e-Islami in the Indian Union and Bangladesh? Can we argue these differences in terms of Muslim-minority versus Muslim-majority context or would that be generalising too much?For any political party, the context and the sense about its prospective audience is important. The Muslim minority context in India and the majority context in Bangladesh is important to keep in mind. In India, the Jamaat is a weaker social organisation. Recently, a section of its leadership has formed the Welfare Party

of India. In contrast, the Jamaat has been an important player in contemporary Bangladeshi politics.

In India, the Jamaat has dropped the idea of establishing an “Islamic state” and has almost accepted the Indian version of secularism while demanding minority rights. In India, the Jamaat is relatively aligned with the secularist and left-wing forces unlike in Bangladesh, where secularists and leftists are almost treated as enemies by the Jamaat. In India, the Jamaat is clearer about its opposition to neo-liberal capitalism while proposing an Islamic

welfarist model. In Bangladesh, the Jamaat is more

ambiguous towards neo-liberalism because it has high stakes in an economy governed by the logic of neo-liberal capitalism.In fact, within a neo-liberal framework, the Jamaat has grown in Bangladesh with huge investments in many sectors as one � nds in some scholarly investigation on the political economy of Islamism in Bangladesh.

Varied Islamist expressions in di� erent contexts is important to investigate, given the fact that a section of the media and academia often presents “Islamism” as a homogenous ideology.

The almost revolutionary social and world order change that Jamaat promises to its faithful, positing capitalism as something it is NOT -- you argue against this claim and promise. Could you explain?Maududi and his followers argued that Islam prescribes neither capitalism nor socialism as it is a “middle path.” If capitalism is a system of wage labour and private ownership of major means of production, then Jamaat is certainly not anti-capitalist because it strongly defends private property rights. Even if Jamaat’s proposed “Islamic economic system” is opposed to an interest-

based economy, it is certainly not opposed to extracting surplus value and its other di� erent forms: Namely, pro� t and rent.

The Jamaat has no substantive proposal to alter the capitalist mode of commodity production and exchange by money (as Marx noticed in capitalist market economy) with an alternative “Islamic” mode of production and exchange. So, the claim of Jamaat in its ideological literature for opposing capitalism is a false claim.

What is the ‘alternative’ that Jamaat offers, at least theoretically, and what are its practical limits? Is it really something alternative in some fundamental sense?Theoretically, Jamaat o� ers an alternative Islamic socio-economic and political system. However, such a vision of an Islamic state at present is nothing short of an agenda of interest-free welfare capitalist model. It is, at best, a form of regulated capitalism.

The additional dimension of interest-free economy and prohibition of certain goods and professions does not prevent it from becoming a capitalist economy because the Islamic system proposed by the Jamaat ideologues perfectly gels with the logic of capitalism.

When neo-liberalism has become hegem-onic, any proposal of a welfare and regulated capitalism might sound like an alternative but it is certainly not an alternative to capi-talism as such.

In that sense, although Jamaat promises an alternative, it is actually not a fundamental alternative. This is an important limit of Jamaat. The practical limits of Jamaat in Bangladesh is that its project of an imagined Islamic utopian state has less takers and it has consistently lost support from the 1990s. l

Garga Chatterjee is a political and cultural commentator. He can be followed on twitter @gargac.

Interview14DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Does being a Muslim-majority country matter when it comes to Islamism? NASHIRUL ISLAM

Theoretically, Jamaat o� ers an alternative Islamic socio-economic and political system. However, such a vision of an Islamic state at present is nothing short of an agenda of interest-free welfare capitalist model. It is, at best, a form of regulated capitalism

Garga Chatterjee interviews Maidul Islam, author of Limits of Islamism: Jamaat-e-Islami in Contemporary India and Bangladesh. This is the concluding part of yesterday’s interview

‘Jamaat is certainly not anti-capitalist’

15D

TBusinessFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Iranian business delegation keen to invest in BangladeshA visiting Iranian business delegation has expressed its eagerness to invest in Bang-ladesh as it found the country with huge investment potentials. The delegation has showed its interest for investing in manufac-turing of cement, clinker, railway transporta-tion, polymer, leather, shoes, and chemical industries in Bangladesh. PAGE 16

Biggest ever trade deal signed as US seeks to counter ChinaThe biggest trade deal in history was signed yesterday, yoking 12 Paci� c rim countries in a US-led initiative aimed at wresting in� u-ence from booming China. The ambitious Trans Paci� c Partnership (TPP) aims to slash tari� s and trade barriers for an enormous 40% of the global economy - but pointedly does not include Beijing. PAGE 17

Capital market snapshot: ThursdayDSE

Broad Index 4,571.1 -0.0% ▼

Index 1,108.4 -0.0% ▼

30 Index 1,742.7 -0.3% ▲

Turnover in Mn Tk 3,424.5 -17.4% ▼

Turnover in Mn Volume 107.0 -3.1% ▼

CSEAll Share Index 14,075.3 -0.1% ▼

30 Index 12,558.2 -0.1% ▼

Selected Index 8,549.8 -0.1% ▼

Turnover in Mn Tk 259.3 -8.8% ▼

Turnover in Mn Volume 12.8 8.9% ▲

INSIDE

EPZs export earnings rise by 9.62% in H1 n Tribune Report

Bangladesh’s export earnings from the manufacturing units at Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have posted 9.62% growth to US$3.18 billion in the � rst half of the current � scal year.

Meanwhile, the country’s overall export earnings in the H1 rose by 7.84% to $16.08 billion, which was $14.91 billion a year ago.

BEZA attributed workers’ higher produc-tivity, peaceful working environment, one-stop service facilities, which provides all export-related services within six hours, for better performance in terms of export earn-ings. The workers also enjoy better incentives than other workers outside the EPZs area.

According to BEZA, in the � rst half of the current � scal year, enterprises at the EPZs have earned $3.18 billion, exporting sever-al goods to the global markets, which was 9.62% higher compared to $2.9 billion in the same period of the last year.

In the � rst six-month of the current � s-cal year, manufacturers of Chittagong EPZ earned $1.2 billion, the highest among the country’s eight EPZs. While Dhaka EPZ fetched $1 billion followed by Karnaphuli EPZ $390 million, Adamjee EPZ $257 million, Comilla EPZ $145 million, Mongla EPZ $45.57 million, Ishwardi EPZ $55.41 million while Ut-tara EPZ $87.22 million.

During the last � scal year, EPZs’ factories contributed 19.59% to the national export while Bangladesh earned $31.2 billion in FY 2014-15.

Currently, there are eight export-process-ing zones in the country operating under

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Author-ity (BEPZA). Manufacturers at the EPZs area enjoy especial facilities to run factories such as uninterrupted electricity and gas supply and other services on fast track basis. These units produce ex-port-oriented products.

EPZ factories produce traditional garments, tex-tile and knitting items, electronic and Electrical Products, Motor car parts, mobile phone parts, Cam-era lens and parts, Bicycle, Battery, Golf shafts, Leath-er Products and Foot-Wear, Energy Savings and LED

bulbs, Furniture, Tent, Bullet Proof Jacket, Mask, Optical Goods, Toys, Jewelry, Fash-ion hair, Bamboo co� n, luggage, etc. l

2014

-15

Firs

t hal

f

Mill

ion

US$

290

2.68

3181

.81

2015

-16

Firs

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f

EXPORT INCREASED 9.62%

SME loan growth slows down in 2015 n Tribune Report

Despite Bangladesh Bank’s e� orts, SME loan disbursement growth remained slower last year compared to that in the previous year.

The central bank attributed prolonged political unrest and business stalemate to the slower growth.

The SME (small and medium enterprise) loan disbursement was about 10.79% higher to Tk1,15,870 crore in 2015 against the target of Tk1,04,586 crore.

It was 13.34% higher than the target in the 2014.

The new SME loan target has been set at Tk1,13,503 crore for the year 2016, which is 8.53% higher than the previous target of Tk1,04,586 crore.

Both achievement and target growth of SME loan disbursement were slow due to business stalemate last year, said Swapan Kumar Roy, general manager of SME, Special Programme Department of Bangladesh Bank.

“We feared that the loan disbursement target may not be achieved due to lack of demand amid sluggish business,” he said.

Though at last the achievement rate crossed expectation because of speedy disbursement at the end of 2015, SME loan

growth rate remained slower than that in the previous year, he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank adopted SME sector expansion policy, emphasising SME loan disbursement in recent mone-tary policies to achieve private sector credit growth.

Banks were repeatedly advised to divert their loans towards SME sector as the credit growth was remaining far below the ceiling set in the monetary policies.

As part of the e� ort to increase SME loan disbursement, the central bank recently is-sued a circular, directing all banks to keep the spread of SME loans at logical level.

Nirmal Chandra Bhakta, executive direc-tor of Bangladesh Bank, attributed high in-terest rate to slower SME growth.

He said though the high interest rate hurt the SME loan disbursement growth there is no chance of setting cap on interest rate of SME loans at this moment like farm loan at maximum 11%.

Foreign donors will be discouraged from providing fund through di� erent projects to pull up SMEs if a maximum interest rate is set, he said while addressing a press con-ference over SME loan disbursement target and achievement held yesterday in the cen-tral bank headquarters.

He, however, hopes that SME interest rate will come down to a single digit within the next year as the average lending rate of 11.18% in the market is in downward trend.

All state banks except Agrani fell behind the target of SME loan disbursement last year.

Agrani achieved 102% of its target while BASIC Bank achieved 73.85%, Janata Bank 98.61%, Rupali Bank 98.20% and Sonali Bank 77.44%.

SME General Manager Swapan Kumar explained that state banks’ performance is poor in SME loan disbursement as they are burdened with huge Non-performing Loan (NPL). As a result they do not get re� nanc-ing from Bangladesh Bank for SME loans.

“Still we are happy with their perfor-mance as they are doing well despite the lack of re� nancing fund.”

The number of women entrepreneurs came under SME programme improved sig-ni� cantly to 1,88,233 last year from 42,730.

This is due to the mandate of Bangladesh Bank that at least one woman entrepreneur has to be � nanced every year from every branch, said Swapan.

The central bank issued a circular in this regard in April last year as an e� ort to build women entrepreneurship, he added. l

Business16DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Iranian business delegation keen to invest in Bangladeshn Tribune Report

A visiting Iranian business delegation has ex-pressed its eagerness to invest in Bangladesh as it found the country with huge investment potentials.

The delegation has showed its interest for investing in manufacturing of cement, clink-er, railway transportation, polymer, leather, shoes, and chemical industries in Bangladesh.

A 15-member Iranian business delegation came up with the expression at a meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry (DCCI) President Hossain Khaled and its board of directors’ members yesterday, said a DCC press release.

Mohammad Reza Mowdoody, an adviser to the Iranian Minister for Industry, Trade and Mine, led the Iranian delegation.

During the meeting, Mowdoody put stress on exchanging trade delegations between Bangladesh and Iran and urged both the gov-ernment to establish Iran-Bangladesh joint chamber to boost bilateral trade.

He also said: “Business community of both the two countries should expedite busi-ness to increase volume of bilateral trade be-tween Bangladesh and Iran.”

During the business-to-business talk, DCCI President Hossain Khaled invited Ira-nian businesses to invest in readymade gar-ments, textile, shipbuilding, tourism, power and energy, railway, and cement industries in Bangladesh.

He also emphasized on direct banking and technology transfer with Iran. Ambassador of Iran in Bangladesh Dr Abbas Vaezi and DCCI directors also attended the meeting. l

Muhith bins IMF’s slashing growth outlook n Tribune Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has ruled out the International International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s economic growth projection for the current � scal year.

While talking to reporter at the NEC con-ference room after the meeting with donors, he � rmly said: “IMF’s forecast never becomes true and its observation is void of reality. Just wait and see. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth must be 7% this time.”

Muhith said: “IMF always keeps its predi-cation on Bangladesh economy low, but when we achieve our target, they echo us.” “ADB

and World Bank forecasts are close to us.” He said the country’s economy is on track,

everything is going well. “We are implementing big projects with

our own fund, which proves our capacity. This is the message to the donors.”

Last week, IMF in its mid-term review downgraded economic growth to 6.3% for this � scal year from 6.8% as foretasted in Oc-tober last year. The projection is much lower than the government target of 7% for the cur-rent � scal year.

In October, World Bank projected 6.5% economic growth for FY’16 while Asian De-velopment Bank 6.7% in September. l

Stocks inch down in choppy traden Tribune Report

Stocks ended slightly lower in choppy trade yesterday, extending their losing streak for the second session in a row.

The market opened sharply lower but re-covered some points mainly led by micro cap stocks as days were out.

The benchmark index DSEX was margin-ally down 2 points to 4,571.

The Shariah index DSES saw a fractional loss of 0.5 points to 1,108. The blue chip com-prising index DS30 shed over 4 pints to 1,742.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index CSCX closed at 8,549, declin-ing 12 points.

Depressing trading activities deepened further as the DSE turnover was Tk342 crore, down more than 17% over the previous ses-sion.

Gainers took a lead over the losers as out of 323 issues traded, 124 advanced, 146 de-clined and 53 remained unchanged.

Most sectors including non-banking � nan-

cial institutions, power, food and allied and telecommunications moved down slightly.

Bank, engineering, textile and pharma-ceuticals bucked the losing trend as they in-creased marginally.

Lanka Bangla Securities said following the sell-o� seen in the previous session, stocks saw considerable volatility during trading.

The choppy trading on DSE came follow-ing the release of a mixed economic data, it said.

“Investors are looking for economic lift, while IMF cut the Bangladesh growth rate to 6.3% for FY’16 instead of 6.8% projected earlier.”

IDLC Investments said investors kept looking for handy gains through short-term trading strategy as micro caps posted the highest return.

Linde Bangladesh was the most-traded share with a turnover worth over Tk13 crore, followed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Unit-ed Airways, RAK Ceramic, Square Pharma-ceuticals and City Bank. l

Iranian business delegates hold talks with DCCI members in the capital yesterday DCCI

CORPORATE NEWS

Walton has recently been awarded � rst prize for being highest taxpayer in premier pavilion category at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2016 by DITF authorities. Minister Tofael Ahmed handed over ‘Best Pavilion Award’ to Humayun Kabir, executive director of Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited

Banglalink has recently signed Concito PR as its exclusive PR agency. Managing director and CEO of Banglalink, Erik Aas and managing director of Concito PR, Moeen Tariq signed an agreement in this regard

Bank Asia Limited has recently signed an agreement with Rangs Limited to avail special o� ers on wide range of vehicles for the bank’s account and credit cardholders, said a press release. The bank’s deputy managing director, Muhammad Zahirul Alam and COO of Rangs Limited, Shoeb Ahmed signed the agreement

Business 17D

TFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Biggest ever trade deal signed as US seeks to counter Chinan AFP, Auckland

The biggest trade deal in history was signed yesterday, yoking 12 Paci� c rim countries in a US-led initiative aimed at wresting in� uence from booming China.

The ambitious Trans Paci� c Partnership (TPP) aims to slash tari� s and trade barriers for an enormous 40% of the global economy - but pointedly does not include Beijing.

“TPP allows America - and not countries like China - to write the rules of the road in the 21st century,” US President Barack Obama said after the pact was signed in New Zealand.

The deal - whose birth was fraught by do-mestic opposition in the US and in other key players, such as Japan - is a key plank of Oba-ma’s so-called “pivot” to Asia, as he seeks to counter the rising power of China.

Along with a rebalancing of the US mili-tary machine towards the western Paci� c, the TPP is recognition of the growing might of China, which has come to dominate the re-gion, threatening American in� uence.

Supporters of the deal say harnessing the power of free trade in such a dynamic part of the world is vital if the US is to fend o� Chi-na’s challenge to its supremacy.

Trade ministers from 12 participating countries - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam - signed the pact in Auckland early yesterday.

Beijing was muted in its reaction to the deal, saying its o� cials were studying the 6,000-page document.

A commerce ministry statement said Chi-na would “actively participate in and facili-tate highly transparent, open and inclusive free trade arrangements in the region”.

Despite Obama’s comments, the US has also sought to play down any overt anti-Chi-na rhetoric.

US trade representative Michael Froman, in Auckland, said the agreement was “never directed against” any speci� c country and “it’s important to have a constructive eco-nomic relationship” with China.

Although the signing marks the end of the negotiating process, member states still have two years to get the deal approved at home before it becomes legally binding.

“We will encourage all countries to com-plete their domestic rati� cation processes as quickly as possible,” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said.

“TPP will provide much better access for goods and services to more than 800 million people across the TPP countries, which make

up 36% of global GDP.” However, rati� cation may prove far from

easy, notably in the United States, where poi-sonous election-year politics are likely to sty-mie co-operation over a deal opponents have spun as a job killer.

“It’s highly unlikely (rati� cation) before the national elections in November,” Tom Switzer of the University of Sydney’s US Studies Centre told AFP.

“In an election year, free trade is not a popular cause, and there are a lot of constit-uencies in both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party who are very much op-posed to free trade or any kind of trade deal.”

In Japan - the second biggest economy in

the bloc, and one that was a relative latecom-er to the process - mainstream politicians and economists have generally supported the TPP as positive for Tokyo’s export-driven growth even amid concerns over its impact on its prized agriculture industry.

The Canadian government, which has changed since the deal was negotiated, signed up Thursday but has yet to decide whether to go through with rati� cation.

While the 12 trade ministers were shaking hands in Auckland, thousands of protesters clogged the streets outside to voice their op-position.

They argue the TPP will cost jobs and im-pact on sovereignty in Asia-Paci� c states. l

Key facts about the TPP trade dealn AFP, Tokyo

The 12-country Trans-Paci� c Partnership (TPP), signed yesterday in New Zealand, aims to eliminate trade barriers such as tar-i� s in a bloc that accounts for 40% of the global economy.

Here are some key questions and points:

What is the TPP and why have it?:- The founding members of the Paci� c Rim group are - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

- The far-reaching deal is designed to boost their wealth by doing away with bar-riers to the free � ows of goods, services and investment capital.

Because of its massive scope, members hope it will serve as a blueprint for future glob-al rules for trade and doing business, ensuring a level playing � eld for all � rms, protecting labour rights and keeping free Internet access.

The TPP is the main economic component

of US President Barack Obama’s strategic shift toward the Asia-Paci� c.

The alliance of broadly like-minded na-tions is seen as a counterweight to China, as Beijing expands its sphere of economic and political in� uence and promotes its way of doing business -- seen as often running coun-ter to Western standards.

China’s establishment of the Asian In-frastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which could challenge Western-controlled insti-tutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that currently set trading rules, has added a sense of urgency.

The TPP also comes as global free trade talks move painstakingly slowly at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which requires unani-mous agreements and where negotiations of-ten run foul of con� icting interests between mature economies and emerging nations.

Critics, however, say the TPP will mainly bene� t big businesses while pressuring small � rms and farmers, who will have to compete with cheap foreign imports.

What comes next?The deal still has to be rati� ed by the parlia-ments of member nations.

All eyes are on the US Congress, both houses of which are controlled by the gener-ally pro-trade Republican Party.

Its legislators, however, have passionate-ly opposed Obama, a Democrat, on many other issues and the deal could easily get en-snared in 2016 presidential election year cam-paigning.

Leading candidates to succeed Obama, in-cluding Democrat Hillary Clinton, have ques-tioned the TPP in its current form.

In Japan, the second-biggest economy in the bloc, mainstream politicians and econ-omists have generally supported the TPP as positive for Tokyo’s export-driven growth even amid concerns over its impact on it prized agriculture industry.

The path to rati� cation is not likely to be smooth in Australia and New Zealand, with both countries seeing signi� cant debate over the pact.

Key points in the deal:- Reduces over time thousands of small and large tari� and non-tari� barriers on trade be-tween members, from Japanese auto parts to the US market, Australian drugs to Peru, US rice to Japan and New Zealand cheese to Canada.

- The 12 countries must open state pro-curement further to foreign competition and not give state-owned enterprises undue pref-erence.

- Disputes with foreign investors are to be resolved before expert panels.

- Establishes 5- to 8-year patent protec-tions for certain kinds of cutting-edge drugs, less than the 12-year US threshold but more than Australia’s � ve years.

- Sets common standards for the cross-border issues of e-commerce and � -nancial services.

- Requires countries to live up to the la-bour rights and fairness standards of the In-ternational Labor Organization.

- Signatories are obliged to make strong e� orts towards environmental protection. l

Trade ministers and o� cials from the 12 Trans-Paci� c Partnership (TPP) member nations are seen at the signing ceremony in Auckland REUTERS

children’s workshop, where they will learn to make art from trash, and another corner dedicated to an experimental piece by Tino Sehgal which is based on a Japanese manga video game character. Even going from one room to another is an artistic experience in itself - with artwork by Simryn Gill hanging up in a corridor that you can see through as you walk past, and Prabhavathi Meppayil’s amazing phenomenological creation unsettling viewers by turning the central hall upside down.

However, it is not only performance art and installations that stimulate your senses and challenge how you perceive your surroundings which are available at the summit - many of the exhibitions are based in political and social contexts that are extremely relevant in our times and send an important message. One such exhibition by Burmese artist Po Po talks about the VIP culture in Bangladesh and Burma, and is ironically taking place right outside the VIP lounge. Another display exhibits the facetious but e� ective protest by an artist who was pro� led by the FBI after 9/11 for his religion and mobile nature of work, to which he promptly responded by taking thousands of pictures of his travels and emailing them to the authorities.

In one room, you can walk through the forests of Burma, painted almost in the style of a traditional theatre backdrop, and

understand the dramatic environmental changes that have a� ected this land while admiring the beautiful artwork done by Tun Win Aung and Wah Nu. In another, you are given a grim reminder of the cages women are forced to wear as a result of patriarchy, by artist and activist Shakuntala Kulkarni.

According to Diana Campbell Betancourt, artistic director of Samdani Foundation and chief curator of DAS, a lot of the works may not be explicitly political, but life is always mixed up with politics, and artists’ personal

journeys may have wider implications that help us see into their societies and political contexts. This is most evident in the exhibition Mining Warm Data, which is curated by Diana.

“Warm Data is a term that was coined by Afghan artist Mariam Ghani. It basically follows on the fact that you know more about a person by what they name their children or their favourite movie, rather than what their religion is or what town they were born in. So how do you turn a cold statistic into a warm data, that personi� es you? How do you let the personal touch the political? That is basically what is explored here.”

This is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are a myriad of solo projects, curated exhibitions, curated programmes and children’s workshops that will de� nitely take a whole day to explore, if not more.

“I just want to tell people that please bring your families, especially your children. We have so much planned here and there is so much to see. The giants of the art world will be present as speakers here, and it will just be this amazing experience that is completely free and you shouldn’t miss out,” says Nadia Samdani. l

Dhaka Art Summit 201618DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Behind the scenes of Dhaka Art Summit 2016A look into the hard work and artistic diversity that makes DAS one-of-a-kind

nShuprova Tasneem

It is di� cult to imagine the incredible amount of hard work that is put into creating a festival on the scale of the Dhaka Art Summit 2016, which is ready to open its doors and wow the public

as of today. Only a few days before the big opening, we went to Shilpakala Academy, the venue of the Dhaka Art Summit, to experience the hustle and bustle before the curtains open and take a sneak peek at some of the exciting exhibitions that will be on display.

There is a lot of e� ort that goes into setting up each and every exhibition, and quite often rooms have to be completely redesigned and panels put up to create the sort of e� ect the curators have in mind. According to Nadia Samdani, director of the Dhaka Art Summit and co-founder and president of the Samdani Art Foundation, the curator of an exhibition exercises complete creative control.

“The curators play the crucial role in the Dhaka Art Summit, and that is why this takes place every two years, because it literally takes that long to do the research. The curators do their research, make multiple journeys to Dhaka, decide the theme, select the artists and design the show. The Samdani Foundation plays the role of setting up the networks and giving them all the portfolios, but we have no outside in� uence over what the professionals decide their show will be.”

This year, the DAS will feature curators from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Tate Modern in London, the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Kunsthalle Zurich, among others. For this reason, the organisers of the event is calling the DAS a ‘pop-up museum’ that will introduce a variety of art forms, with a wide range of collections within each variety, and will be completely free for the public to enjoy.

The sheer diversity of the Dhaka Art Summit is really quite incredible, and there is something for everyone. Amanullah Mojadidi’s zen garden in one room, with sunlight streaming in from a window, followed by Haroon Mirza’s darkened room designed to test the interplay and friction between sound and light waves and electric current, giving you a visual and sound experience like never before. A corner for the

IN PHOTOSFEATURE

PHOTOS BY TOFFAEL RASHID

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

8 reasons you MUST attend DAS 2016nSabah Rahman

Unless you’ve literally been living under a rock or spent the last month bundled up under the precious quilt your mama made you, you know the deal. Dhaka Art summit is set to kick o� today and will last eight glorious days. Here is why you need to be there:

1. The � rst thing you’ll feel after walking into the premise: Mind= Blown. Yes. It’s going to be that good.

2. One of the main reasons you’ll feel that way? The event will feature nearly 300 leading artists, writers and curators from South Asia as well as the whole wide world. These numbers are no joke.

3. You know how you always complain

about how there is such a lack of exciting things to do in our beloved city? Well, here is one that will engage all your senses. We’ll even do you one better. This event is free. You don’t even have to register.

4. Speaking of senses, remember to close your mouth from time to time. Some of the performance art pieces may leave you slack jawed.

5. You will also be surrounded by very, very prominent folk. When else will you be able to tell people you almost rubbed shoulders with curators from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern, the Centre Pompidou and more?

6. You can make some like-minded new friends and dare we say, even meet a new “lover” or two. Art does equal to love in

FUN FACT

FOCUS

Did you know?Pablo Picasso was considered a suspect in the theft of Mona Lisa in 1911. He was arrested and questioned, but later cleared and released.

some form or another.7. Don’t forget to take

plenty of sel� es. Try not to photo-bomb the VIPs while you’re at it, unless you absolutely have to. You know you’re going to brag. Have pictures to back that talk up.

8. There is no better time to to pillage through your closet where you stashed the fabulous artsy garb you’ve been too afraid to wear to those garden tea parties. Wrap that gamcha around your head like it’s nobody’s business l

PHOTOS BY TOFFAEL RASHID

Downtime20DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

DILBERT

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.

CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

CODE-CRACKER

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a di� erent letter of the alphabet. For example, today 23 represents J so � ll J every time the � gure 23 appears.You have two letters in the control grid to start you o� . 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, � ll in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check o� the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

CROSSWORD

ACROSS1 Move to and fro (4)4 Nettle rash (5)9 Shake tail 11 Story (4)12 Proverb (5) 13 Tribe (4)14 Female birds (4)15 Courage (5)19 Clamour (5)21 Given shoes (4)25 Crippled (4)26 Bury (5)28 Operatic air (4) 29 Be indebted (3)30 Measure of length (5) 31 Run away (4)

DOWN 1 W Australian river (4)2 Bundle of notes (3)3 Once more (5)5 Irritates (6)6 Farewell! (4)7 Dash (4)8 Inward feeling (5) 10 Paris subway (5)16 Make beloved (6)17 Very bright (5)18 Mohammedanism (5)20 Praise (5)22 Swift rodent (4)23 Leaves out (4)24 Gratis (4)27 Female sheep (3)

SUDOKU

INSIDE

21D

TWorldFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Airline battle brews in Gulf as Iran eyes regional hub roleAn economic battle is likely for dominance of the skies over the Gulf after Iran decided to invest $27bn in an airline � eet capable of taking on the region’s supercarriers.

PAGE 22

Isolated Nepal PM could be toppled by constitution crisisAn unwieldy coalition of lawmakers trying to implement Nepal’s � rst democratic constitution is � nding common cause with protesting minority groups, isolating Prime Minister KP Oli and increasing the risk his government could fall this spring.

PAGE 23

Billions pledged for Syria after UN halts peace talksDonor nations pledged on Thursday to give billions of dollars in aid to Syrians as world leaders gathered for a conference to tackle the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with Turkey reporting a new exodus of tens of thousands � eeing air strikes. PAGE 24

FACTBOX

All you need to know about TPP agreementTwelve countries around signed the Trans-Paci� c Partnership (TPP), on Thursday in New Zealand, a huge free trade pact. Ü The biggest deal of its kind in history, the TPP

aims to remove tari� s and other barriers to free trade between 12 Paci� c Rim nations.

Ü Those countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Viet-nam, and together they account for 40% of the global economy.

Ü Reduces over time thousands of small and large tari� and non-tari� barriers on trade between members, from Japanese auto parts to the US market, Australian drugs to Peru, US rice to Ja-pan and New Zealand cheese to Canada.

Ü The 12 countries must open state procurement

further to foreign competition and not give state-owned enterprises undue preference.

Ü Disputes with foreign investors are to be re-solved before expert panels.

Ü Establishes 5- to 8-year patent protections for certain kinds of cutting-edge drugs, less than the 12-year US threshold but more than Aus-tralia’s � ve years.

Ü Sets common standards for the cross-border issues of e-commerce and � nancial services.

Ü Requires countries to live up to the labour rights and fairness standards of the Interna-tional Labor Organisation.

Ü Signatories are obliged to make strong e� orts towards environmental protection.

Ü The deal is seen as part of President Barack Oba-ma’s “pivot” to Asia, as he seeks to counter the

rising power of China in the region and across the world. “TPP allows America -- and not countries like China -- to write the rules of the road in the 21st century,” he said after the pact was signed.

Ü Participating countries now have two years to get the � nal deal approved at home, but this may not be straightforward -- particularly in the US, where opponents say the TPP is a job killer.

Ü While supporters say the deal will boost economies by harnessing the power of free trade, it has also come in for criticism around the world. Tens of thousands of protestors clogged the streets of Auckland to protest the deal Thursday, saying the TPP will bene� t big business at the expense of small � rms. l

Source: AGENCIES

ANALYSIS

TPP deal may have been signed, but years of negotiations still to comen Reuters, Wellington

The Trans-Paci� c Partnership, one of the world’s biggest multinational trade deals, was signed by 12 member nations on Thurs-day in New Zealand, but the massive trade pact will still require years of tough negotia-tions before it becomes a reality.

The TPP, a deal which will cover 40% of the world economy, has already taken � ve years of negotiations to reach Thursday’s signing stage. The signing is “an important step” but the agreement “is still just a piece of paper, or rather over 16,000 pieces of pa-per until it actually comes into force,” said New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at the ceremony in Auckland.

The TPP will now undergo a two-year rat-i� cation period in which at least six coun-tries - that account for 85% of the combined gross domestic production of the 12 TPP nations - must approve the � nal text for the deal to be implemented.

The 12 nations include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

Given their size, both the US and Japan would need to ratify the deal, which will set common standards on issues ranging from workers’ rights to intellectual property pro-tection in 12 Paci� c nations.

Opposition from many US Democrats and some Republicans could mean a vote on the TPP is unlikely before President Barack Obama, a supporter of the TPP, leaves o� ce early in 2017.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman has said the current administration is doing everything in its power to move the deal and on Thursday told reporters he was con� dent the deal would get the necessary support in Congress.

In Japan, the resignation of Economics Minister Akira Amari - Japan’s main TPP ne-

gotiator - may make it more di� cult to sell the deal in Japan.

There is wide spread grassroots opposi-tion to the TPP in many countries. Opponents have criticised the secrecy surrounding TPP talks, raised concerns about reduced access to things like a� ordable medicines, and a clause which allows foreign investors the right to sue if they feel their pro� ts have been impact-ed by a law or policy in the host country.

In New Zealand on Thursday more than 1,000 protesters caused tra� c disruptions in and around Auckland and police said a large number of police have been deployed.

Chile’s Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz predicted “robust democratic discussion” in his South American nation.

Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb

said the agreement would be tabled next week in parliament. Opposition to the deal in Australia has been building, but Robb was con� dent it would be approved, despite the government not control the Senate.

Canada’s new government signed the deal on Thursday, but Trade Minister Chrystia Free-land has said “signing does not equal ratifying.”

She emphasised that the government committed itself to a wide-ranging consulta-tion on the TPP during its election campaign and that process was currently underway.

Secretary of the Economy for Mexico, Illdefonso Guajardo, said the TPP would be voted on before the end of 2016, while Malaysia said the deal had already been ap-proved, although some legislative changes were still needed. l

Source: USTR/WorldBank

12-nation free trade agreementTrans-Paci�c Partnership

$17,419.00

United States

13

318.86

125.39

$1,282.72

32 Mexico

Peru30.97

$202.90

22

17.76

$258.06

34Chile

New Zealand4.51

$188.3829Australia

23.49

$1,453.77

21

29.90

$326.93

80Malaysia

Brunei0.42$17.26

76

5.47

$307.87

188Singapore

Vietnam90.73

$186.2086

127.13

$4,601.46

16

Japan

GDP, billions

Population,millions

Exports(% of GDP)

2015 World Bank data

35.54

$1,786.66

Canada32

WorldFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

22DT

ANALYSIS

Airline battle brews in Gulf as Iran eyes regional hub rolen Reuters, Paris/Dubai

An economic battle is likely for dominance of the skies over the Gulf after Iran decided to invest $27bn in an airline � eet capable of tak-ing on the region’s supercarriers.

By ordering dozens of long-distance Euro-pean jets last month after the lifting of sanc-tions, Iran is positioning Tehran as a poten-tial long-term transit point between East and West to rival regional hubs such as Dubai, air o� cials and analysts say.

The move is underscored by Tehran’s choice of Airbus A380, which is the world’s largest jetliner and is used by other Gulf car-riers, and sends a political warning to Iran’s neighbours not to ignore the Islamic Repub-lic’s emergence from isolation.

“Certainly this is our historical position: we have always been a centre for communica-tions in the region,” Transport Minister Abbas Akhouni said in an interview.

The investment also points to a strategy to take part in the globalisation of the transport industry alongside Gulf rivals, even though the social and economic challenges of build-ing a world-class hub are formidable for Iran.

“We used to be a very important airline in the region and globally, so of course we want to play our role fully once again,” Iranair Chairman Farhad Parvaresh told Reuters.

Iran signed a deal for 118 Airbus jets, and contracts to expand the main Tehran airport, during a visit to Europe by President Hassan Rouhani, less than two weeks after sanctions were lifted in exchange for curbs on Iran’s atomic programme.

Not all the planes are expected to go to Ira-nair, but Tehran says it will give the � ag car-rier priority.

Nor will Iran’s hub ambitions bear fruit any time soon, as its airlines must focus � rst

on rebuilding a busy domestic network and catering for inbound tourism and business tra� c.

“The A380s don’t arrive for another � ve years,” Parvaresh said in an interview. “Be-fore then we need to watch closely the ex-pansion of Imam Khomeini (Tehran Interna-tional) airport.”

Outsiders eye Iran’s marketArab Gulf carriers dominate long-haul travel thanks to smart, e� cient hubs and a strategic position that places two thirds of the world’s population within an optimal 4-8 hours’ � y-ing time from Dubai, home to regional heavy-weight Emirates.

The only serious regional competitor to Gulf carriers for now is Turkish Airlines. But the variety of short- and long-haul jets ac-quired by Iran suggests it wants a share of the spoils in the future.

“(Iranair’s) obvious intention is to become part of the network operation that the Gulf carriers have operated so e� ectively,” said Peter Harbison, chairman of airline thinktank CAPA, which held an aviation meeting in Teh-ran last month.

“Iran is very well geographically posi-tioned ... We are obviously looking a few years out to get to that stage, but it is really where they need to be in 10 years time.”

Even before then, it faces a contest to serve its own market as foreign carriers will be eye-ing opportunities in the country of 80m.

The International Air Transport Associa-tion (IATA), a trade association, has predicted Iran’s market will more than treble from 12m passengers a year now, mostly domestic � y-ers, to 44m by 2034.

“While the airlines here (in Iran) are re-building their capacity, the regional carriers ... are looking to suck tra� c out over the Gulf

airports,” Dick Forsberg, strategy chief at air-craft lessor Avolon, said during the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit.

“It is going to be very hard for the airlines here to recover that leakage in the short- and perhaps even medium-term.”

Already 28 foreign carriers serve Iran and more are likely to arrive, says CAPA.

“We are not afraid of competition,” Par-varesh said. “We have good relations with most other carriers and there is no problem. I think Iranians for example will want to main-ly � y with Iranair.”

Playing ‘catch-up’Parvaresh said Iranair would start � ights to Toronto, home to an estimated 50,000 Ca-nadian Iranians. It is also widely expected to seek alliances to help it grow.

Gulf carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways declined comment on Iran. Abu Dhabi’s Eti-had said it always welcomed competition.

A Gulf industry executive said it was too early to gauge Tehran’s plans, but added “Iran is a new market for everyone; there is enough demand”.

Iran would need huge investment and an improved political climate to catch up with deep-pocketed Gulf rivals that are “25-30 years ahead,” he said.

With tra� c of 6m passengers a year, Teh-ran’s airport is dwarfed by Dubai’s 78m. Iran plans to boost capacity to 45m on the way to a target of 70m.

Any attempt by Iranair to mimic the hub-based business model of Gulf carriers could add a fourth big connecting airport to the three already operating: two in the United Arab Emirates and one in Qatar.

“When you have such an early-mover ad-vantage as the (Arab Gulf carriers), there’s so much learning that it is extremely di� cult

to catch up. It’s not just about hardware and infrastructure but also about developing the skill, the management layer to operate com-petitively,” said a Dubai-based aviation ana-lyst who asked not to be named.

Some experts have already questioned whether the region can sustain three hubs close together, especially in the event of a downturn, but Gulf airlines say tra� c re-mains buoyant.

Rules on alcohol, women covering headEven so, other political and economic ques-tions remain over Iran’s bid to divert interna-tional tra� c across the Gulf.

These include the impact of low prices on Iran’s ambitious airport construction plans, uncertainty over wary ties with the West and questions over how � exible its establishment will be in implementing strict Islamic rules on passengers in transit.

Iran does not serve alcohol and women are obliged to respect customs requiring them to cover heads and bodies when entering the country’s airspace on Iranian aircraft.

In a sign that buying more planes and im-plementing � exible rules will not be easy, some Iranian hardliners have criticised the Airbus deal for diverting cash from bigger pri-orities.

Much also depends on how Iran regulates the new tra� c as the government negotiates new bilateral air tra� c accords.

“They don’t want to fall in the trap that Air India got into,” said CAPA’s Harbison, refer-ring to an in� ux of foreign capacity before the local champion was ready to compete.

“If you have a liberal bilateral strategy and a liberal investment strategy in national air-lines, then getting to a stage where there is something of a threat to the operations of Gulf carriers is quite feasible in say a decade.” l

An A380 Airbus arrives on the tarmac during

the Airbus annual news conference in Colomiers,

near Toulouse, in this January 13, 2014 � le photo.

An economic battle looks inevitable in the skies over the Gulf after Iran invested

$27bn in an airline � eet capable of taking on the

region’s super-carriers REUTERS

WorldFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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SOUTH ASIASri Lanka lifts uno� cial ban on Tamil national anthemA Tamil-language version of Sri Lanka’s na-tional anthem was performed at the country’s independence ceremony on Thursday, lifting an uno� cial ban in another step toward post-civil war ethnic reconciliation. School-children sang the national anthem in Sinha-lese, from the ethnic majority group, and the minority Tamil language at the ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of independ-ence from Britain. The move, despite opposi-tion from Sinhalese nationalists, is an e� ort to reach out to the Tamils who fought a nearly 26-year war for a separate homeland. -AP

INDIAIndia gathers navies in show of maritime mightIndia kicked o� a major display of maritime might Thursday, with ships from 50 navies converging on the country’s east coast, as New Delhi seeks to boost its leadership in the region. Ninety ships including from the US, French, British and Chinese navies are taking part in the international � eet review in the Bay of Bengal - a ceremonial inspection and parade of boats and crews. India is working to show maritime leadership, after rival Beijing has asserted growing strategic in� uence in recent years in the Indian Ocean region. -AFP

CHINAChina starts graft probe of disloyal Sichuan governorChina’s main anti-corruption watchdog said on Thursday it has formally begun an investigation into the former governor of China’s populous southwestern province of Sichuan, accusing him of serious discipline violations. In a short statement, the ruling Communist Party’s Cen-tral Commission for Discipline Inspection said Wei was disloyal to the party, dishonest. As a consequence, he was stripped of the governor-ship and his role as the vice-secretary of the Communist Party’s o� ce in Sichuan. -REUTERS

ASIA PACIFICSeoul, Tokyo threaten to intercept N Korean rocketSouth Korea and Japan vowed to shoot down any debris that falls on their terri-tories from a long-range rocket that North Korea plans to � re this month, with Seoul saying Thursday that it has detected launch preparations by Pyongyang. North Korea has informed international organizations that it will launch an observation satellite aboard a rocket between February 8 and 25. South Korea, the US and others say such a move would be a cover for a banned test of a mis-sile that could strike the US mainland. -AP

MIDDLE EASTUS drone strike kills top al-Qaeda chief in south YemenA senior al-Qaeda operative in Yemen with a $5m US bounty on his head was killed Thursday in one of two suspected American drone strikes in the war-torn country. Jalal Belaidi, alias Abu Hamza, a top commander of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed along with two guards when their vehicle was hit in the Maraqesha area of Abyan province, a relative said. -AFP

Republican campaign for White House turns nastiern Reuters, Henniker

Campaigning for the Republican presi-dential nomination took a nasty turn on Wednesday with billionaire business-man Donald Trump

accusing rival Ted Cruz of fraud as the � eld of candidates narrowed ahead of next week’s New Hampshire primary.

Rand Paul, a US senator from Kentucky with a libertarian philosophy, pulled out of the Republican race. Conservative Rick San-torum also exited the race on Wednesday and endorsed US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

Both Paul and Santorum, a former sena-tor from Pennsylvania, did poorly in Mon-day’s Iowa caucuses, which were won by Cruz, with Trump and Rubio � nishing sec-ond and third. The caucuses were the � rst of the state-by-state nominating contests ahead of the November 8 election to replace Democratic President Barack Obama.

Trump, a real estate mogul and former re-ality TV star, went on Twitter on Wednesday to accuse the conservative US senator from Texas of stealing his victory in Iowa. Cruz’s team hit back by telling Trump to seek help for addiction to the social media site.

The two men are going head-to-head for voters in New Hampshire, where Cruz’s evangelical Christian credentials will not likely be as helpful as they were in Iowa. Opinion polls show Trump with a rough-ly 20-point lead in New Hampshire before next Tuesday’s primary.

As the New Hampshire race heats up, the Democratic presidential contenders will face o� later on Wednesday in a town hall-

style event hosted by CNN. Former Secre-tary of State Hillary Clinton narrowly beat Bernie Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, in Iowa.

Trump called for the nulli� cation of Cruz’s Iowa victory or a new vote in the state.

“Ted Cruz didn’t win Iowa, he stole it,” Trump said in a series of tweets. “That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!”

Trump referred to an email that Cruz’s campaign sent on Monday that implied an-other Republican candidate, Ben Carson, was about to drop out of the race and that his Iowa backers should be urged to vote for the Texan instead. Cruz later apologised for the email.

‘Twitter addiction’Trump also accused Cruz’s team of sending

out a mailer designed to look like an o� cial electoral document to scare Iowa voters into turning out at the caucuses.

The accusations were the latest aggres-sive tactic from Trump, who has courted controversy with attacks on other candi-dates and by urging a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and branding Mexican immigrants as criminals.

The Cruz campaign said Trump’s com-plaint was a cry for attention after the sena-tor came from behind in the polls to win on Monday. A Cruz spokesman suggested he seek help for “Twitter addiction.”

Cruz won support in Iowa from much of the same conservative Christian constitu-ency that helped Santorum to victory in the Iowa caucuses during the 2012 presidential campaign. l

INSIGHT

Isolated Nepal PM could be toppled by constitution crisisn Reuters, Kathmandu

An unwieldy coalition of lawmakers try-ing to implement Nepal’s � rst democratic constitution is � nding common cause with protesting minority groups, isolating Prime Minister KP Oli and increasing the risk his government could fall this spring.

Oli, of the leftist Communist Party of Ne-pal (Uni� ed Marxist-Leninist), promised to resolve simmering tensions in the southern plains and lift a blockade of the Indian bor-der when he was voted in to power almost four months ago.

Yet sporadic violence, in which more than 50 people have died since August, con-tinues in the Himalayan nation with police shooting dead three demonstrators last month.

Protest leaders say the heavy-handed police tactics show the government is not sincere about � nding a solution, while in Kathmandu residents have to choose be-tween queuing for hours for fuel and gas and paying exorbitant prices on the black market.

Oli, 63, heads a fractious cabinet with no less than six deputy premiers - one a roy-alist bent on reinstating the monarchy and another the leader of a party representing minority Madhesis who has yet to sign the constitution.

Relations with India have deteriorated further since New Delhi tried and failed last September to delay the promulgation of the constitution so that dissenters - many with family ties across the border - could be brought on board.

Oli’s hostile rhetoric has annoyed New

Delhi, said a former diplomat, even as in-creased cooperation between Indian and Nepali o� cials has eased the impact of the blockade in recent weeks.

India has sympathised with the protest movement, hosting a brie� ng by Madhesi and other leaders last week, amid talk on the New Delhi cocktail circuit that Oli’s days in power may be numbered.

Congress and changing guardFollowing a winter lull, Madhesi leaders are under pressure to revive their campaign for a uni� ed plains province that has hampered e� orts to recover from two devastating earthquakes last year.

The party to watch is the opposition Nepali Congress, the largest in parliament, which will elect a president at its general convention in March.

The party - which has ties to both India and southern Nepal - will then face a choice between joining a government of national unity or attempting to capture power by dis-lodging Oli, according to a local level Con-gress leader. l

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli REUTERS

People raise their hands to ask questions of Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio during a campaign event on Thursday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire AFP

WorldFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

24DT

USAUS pledges $890m to Syria aid e� ortThe US added another $890m to the Syrian humanitarian aid e� ort Thursday, pledging increased support for refugee aid. Addressing a summit of donor nations in London, Kerry said that $600m in new funding would go on urgent aid to refugees and beleaguered populations in and around Syria. Another $290 million will go on development assistance for schooling for refugee children in Jordan and Lebanon. -AFP

THE AMERICASArgentina’s main opposition party splitsArgentina’s main opposition party su� ered a split on Wednesday after a dozen of its lawmakers quit, party leaders said, handing a boost to newly-elected President Mauri-cio Macri’s hopes of pushing his legislative agenda through Congress. The rupture with-in former President Cristina Fernandez’s Front for Victory (FPV) party was con� rmed by party chiefs after a day-long meeting in the capital Buenos Aires. The divide laid bare the internal battle over how to recover from November’s election defeat. -REUTERS

UKBritish police to arrest Assange if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassyBritish police said on Thursday they will ar-rest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Assange who took refuge with the Ecuado-rians in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden said he will leave the embassy if a UN panel investigating his case rules against him. Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning over allegations of rape in 2010 which the Australian denies. -REUTERS

EUROPEPoland reopens probe into 2010 crash that killed presidentPoland’s government opened a new inves-tigation Thursday into the 2010 plane crash in Russia that killed President Lech Kaczyn-ski, the twin brother of the chairman of the country’s ruling party. The development could exacerbate Poland’s already deeply strained relations with Russia and is likely to deepen the ideological divide within Poland between supporters of the conservative and pro-Catholic government. -AP

AFRICAS Sudan bill limits foreign aid workers amid crisisSouth Sudan lawmakers have passed a con-troversial bill restricting numbers of foreign aid workers, sparking fears it will hinder e� orts to help millions in need in the war-torn young nation. The Non-Governmental Organisations bill, passed by parliament on Wednesday, means no more than a � fth of aid workers can be from abroad, a level many humanitarians believe is simply not viable. According to the bill aid agencies must ensure that not less than 80 percent of the employees are South Sudanese nationals at all managerial, middle and junior levels. It must still be signed by the president to pass into law. -AFP

PORTRAYAL

Rubio: The Republican (and Cuban) Obaman AFP, Des Moines

Marco Rubio is lik-ened by rivals to a Republican version of Barack Obama: they dismiss him as a youthful over-achiever with a

penchant for soaring oratory.But Rubio, just 44, proved last Mon-

day he is a force to be reckoned with after muscling in to challenge the front-runner Donald Trump for second place behind Ted Cruz in the Iowa caucuses.

The Florida senator, whose star has risen in recent weeks, took more than 23% in the contest that launches the long process to choose a new US president.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio is a compelling package: charismatic with an engaging smile and snappy oratory.

Many envision him becoming the na-tion’s � rst Hispanic commander-in-chief, in a rags-to-political-riches story embodying the American Dream.

And he is bilingual, a major asset for the Republican Party, which has felt the sting of

Hispanic voter abandonment.Rubio’s strong showing in Iowa comes

six years after he burst onto the national stage, beating his party’s favored candidate to become senator for Florida in 2010.

Rubio was then little known and start-ed o� from scratch, working his way up in the polls and winning over voters as a fresh young face for conservative Republicans eager for a point man in Washington to counter Obama.

In� uenced by his grandfather, who spoke no English, Rubio developed a pas-sion for politics. He was a fan of Senator Ted

Kennedy, a Democratic icon, before falling hard for Republican president Ronald Rea-gan.

On his arrival in Washington, conserva-tives traumatised by Obama’s election be-lieved they had found their savior.

But his Tea Party support plunged in 2013 after he helped craft comprehensive immigration reform that would have legal-ised millions of undocumented migrants.

Rubio has sought to recover. While back-ing o� his immigration plan, he has worked hard to prove that beyond his formidable communication skills he can lead a con-servative renewal.

He has unveiled proposals to reduce poverty and introduced pension system reforms -- without forgetting fundamental conservative values like traditional mar-riage. Rubio champions an aggressive for-eign policy and muscular defense.

More interventionist than isolationist, he argues that global � ashpoints require Washington to be more engaged abroad.

And yet he seeks to place Cuba in the same category as Iran -- isolating it at all costs -- and has led opposition to Obama’s detente with the island of his ancestors. l

Billions pledged for Syria after UN halts peace talksn Reuters, London

Donor nations pledged on Thursday to give billions of dollars in aid to Syrians as world leaders gathered for a conference to tackle the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with Turkey reporting a new exodus of tens of thousands � eeing air strikes.

With Syria’s � ve-year-old civil war raging and another attempt at peace negotiations called o� in Geneva after just a few days, the London conference aims to address the needs of some 6m people displaced within Syria and more than 4m refugees in other countries.

Underlining the desperate situation on the ground in Syria, Turkish Prime Minis-ter Ahmet Davutoglu told the meeting that tens of thousands of Syrians were on the move towards his country to escape aerial bombardments on the city of Aleppo.

Turkey is already hosting more than 2.5m Syrian refugees. Jordan and Lebanon are the other countries bearing the brunt of the Syrian refugee exodus.

Several speakers also made the point that while the situation of refugees was bad, that of Syrians trapped inside the country enduring bombardments, sieges and, in some places, starvation was far worse.

“With people reduced to eating grass and leaves and killing stray animals in order to survive on a day-to-day basis, that is some-thing that should tear at the conscience of all civilised people and we all have a re-sponsibility to respond to it,” US Secretary of State John Kerry told the conference.

United Nations agencies are appealing for $7.73bn to cope with the Syrian emer-gency this year, and countries in the region

are asking for an additional $1.2bn.Conference co-hosts Britain, Norway

and Germany were the � rst to announce their pledges, followed by the US, the Euro-pean Union, Japan and other nations.

Britain and Norway promised an extra $1.76bn and $1.17bn respectively by 2020, while Germany said it would give $2.57bn by 2018. The United States said its contribu-tion this � scal year would be $890m.

The almost � ve-year-old con� ict has killed an estimated 250,000 people and stoked the spread of militancy across the Middle East and North Africa.

A UN envoy halted his attempts to con-duct Syrian peace talks on Wednesday af-ter the Syrian army, backed by Russian air strikes, advanced against rebel forces north of Aleppo, choking opposition supply lines from Turkey to the city.

Kerry told the conference he had spoken to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov about the situation.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the � rst steps in the Geneva peace talks had been undermined by a lack of su� cient humanitar-ian access and by a sudden increase in aerial bombing and military activity on the ground.

The conference will focus particularly on the need to provide an education for displaced Syrian children and job opportu-nities for adults, re� ecting growing recogni-tion that the fallout from the Syrian war will be very long-term.

Some Syrian civil society activists at the conference expressed concerns that donor nations were intensely focused on refugees because that was the aspect of the crisis af-fecting them, but were not doing enough for those inside Syria. l

50 km

Syria: The UN-sponsored peace talksBashar Al-Assadno dialogue

dialogue dialogue

Syrian Kurd (Turkey has vetoedtheir presence)

Not invitedAl-Nusra Front(jihadists)

IS group(jihadists)

Sources: Institute for the Study of War, AFP bureaux

Territory controlledAs of Jan 26, 2016

United Nations

Rebel Islamist,Sala�st. LeadsSaudi-backedJaish al-Islam

Syria’sambassadorto the UN

Dismisses oppositionas neither seriousnor credible, calls

its representatives“terrorists”

FormerSyrian army

generalDeputyforeign

minister

They wantan end to attackson civilians, the liftingof sieges on cities andthe release ofprisoners

Aim: get agreement on a transitionalauthority ahead of elections in 2017

Anti-Assad opposition

JORDANJORDAN

S Y R I A

IRAQ

TURKEY

DAMASCUSDAMASCUS

LEB.HomsHoms

AleppoAleppo

MetFeb 1

RaqaRaqa

MetJanuary 29

Sta�

an de Mistura

Asaad al-Zoabi

Mohamed Alloush Bazh

ar al-Jaafari

Fayc

al Moqdad

UN envoy

US Senator and Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio REUTERS

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TSportINSIDE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Tigers trio o� to PSLBangladesh trio Shakib al Hasan, Mush-� qur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal left Dhaka to join their respective Pakistan Super League sides in Dubai yesterday. The cricketers were scheduled to leave last Tuesday but were denied following visa issues. They eventually received their travelling documents last Wednesday night and boarded the earliest � ight yes-terday. PAGE 26

ICC to review ‘Big Three’ changeCricket’s administrative body decided to stage a complete review of the constitutional changes which gave the major powers to Australia, England and India two years ago. ICC adopted the changes, empowering Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board and Board of Control for Cricket in India. PAGE 27

Seven-star Barcelona rout ValenciaBarcelona all but wrapped up their King’s Cup semi-� nal by crushing Valencia 7-0 in the � rst leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday. Barely seven minutes had elapsed when Neymar stole the ball from Gomes in mid� eld, and passed to Suarez who ri� ed a shot across goal past Ryan. PAGE 28

PSG set new French league unbeaten recordPSG established a new Ligue 1 record on Wednesday as they stretched their unbeaten streak to 33 matches by easing past Lorient 3-1 at the Parc des Princes. Edinson Cavani was given a rare start by Laurent Blanc and justi� ed his manager’s decision by opening the scoring in only the sixth minute. PAGE 29

Bangladesh Under-19 openers Saif Hasan (C) and Pinak Ghosh (L), who have been unable to � re in the U-19 World Cup so far, listen intently as technical adviser Stuart Law makes a point during training yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Hosts prepare KO punch for Nepaln Mazhar Uddin

Hosts Bangladesh will be looking to con-tinue their brilliant run and create history by reaching the semi-� nal of the Under-19 World Cup for the very � rst time in history when they take on a spirited Nepal side to-day in a quarter-� nal clash at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz has led from the front and will be eager to surpass current Test captain Mush� qur Rahim, who skippered the junior Tigers to their previ-ous best � nish of � fth in 2006.

Their today’s opponents, the Nepa-lese youngsters, have been in tremendous form, especially the batters, so the home side will be banking on left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi and o� -spinners Saeed Sarkar and captain Mehedi to play a vital role on the slow wickets of Mirpur.

The junior Tigers’ batting department will once again look to Nazmul Hossain Shanto for inspiration. Nazmul has been im-pressive with the willow in the ongoing 11th edition and recently became the highest run-scorer in youth ODIs. Joyraj Sheikh and Mehedi, in contrast, will be providing Naz-mul valuable support in the middle order.

The home side’s sole concern is perhaps with regards to the form of their openers – Saif Hasan and Pinak Ghosh –

so the fans will be desperate to see the partnership blossom today against surprise packages Nepal.

Nepal, meanwhile, displayed some fearless cricket on their way to the quarter-� nals. New Zealand and Ireland bore the brunt of Nepal’s force so the Bangladesh youngsters will do well not to underestimate the opposition’s strengths.

The visitors can draw inspiration from their previous encounter against Bangla-desh in the U-19 World Cup 14 years ago when the former defeated the latter en route to a creditable runners-up � nish. l

Today’s MatchesQuarter-� nal 1, 9:00AM

Bangladesh v Nepal, Dhaka LIVE*Plate QF 2, 9:00AM

Afghanistan v Fiji, Cox’s Bazar Plate QF 4, 9:00AM

Canada v Zimbabwe, Cox’s Bazar*On Star Sports 1

BRIEF SCORESPlate QF 1, Cox’s Bazar

South Africa U-19 187/2 (Verreynne 77, Smith 49, Dennison 1/27) beat Ireland U-19 185/7 (Tucker 77*, Galiem 2/22, Ludick 2/43) by eight wickets

Plate QF 3, Cox’s BazarNew Zealand U-19 185/3 (Phillips 89, Allen 31*,

Aslam 2/37) beat Scotland U-19 181/9 (Ter Braak 3/34, Murray 2/31, Smith 2/37) by seven wickets

Junior Kiwis, Proteas enter U19 Plate semisn ICC

New Zealand and South Africa put aside the disappointment of not qualifying for the Su-per League of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup by making winning starts in the Plate Cham-pionship which decides the 9-16 positions.

New Zealand bounced back from its defeats to India and Nepal in Group D to brush aside Scotland by seven wickets in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.

South Africa, the defending champion who failed to � nish among the top two in Group A, breezed past Ireland by eight wick-ets in another quarter-� nal in Cox’s Bazar.

South Africa await the winner of today’s match between Zimbabwe and Canada at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadi-um’s Academy Ground in the Plate semi-� nal this Monday. New Zealand will take on either Afghanistan or Fiji this Tuesday. l

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Gladsome Miraz eyes beyond quarter-� nals n Mazhar Uddin

It is the � rst quarter-� nal of the Under-19 World Cup and although Bangladesh � nd themselves facing a comparatively weaker opponent, Nepal, the home side are not tak-ing the encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla Na-tional stadium lightly.

A win will see the junior Tigers register their best ever result in the competition’s his-tory – their previous best was a � fth-placed � nish in 2006 – but more than that, with the group of players they have at their disposal, Bangladesh actually has that � are and prom-ise to make it to the � nal on home soil.

“Bangladesh has never played a semi-� nal before, so I will feel good if we win against Nepal, it will be a big achievement. We (this squad) will be the � rst to play a semi-� nal for Bangladesh,” said Bangladesh U-19 captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz yesterday.

“Our target is to make it to the semi-� nal � rst, and take it from there. In knockouts, there is no scope for error. If we lose we are gone, so the focus is on the quarter-� nal.

“We know about Nepal and we do not have to take them lightly. As they have made it to the quarter-� nal, they are obviously a very good team. If we take them lightly then it might become tricky for us. We will not take them lightly, but follow our process and keep improving,” he added.

The 18-year-old all-rounder, who took six wickets at the expense of 76 runs with his o� -spin in three group matches, said leading the talented bunch of cricketers to the quar-ters is not only exciting for him, but it also motivates him to do well further.

Miraz also said, “We have an opportunity to do well, and we will give our best and not lag behind. We will continue to put e� ort in the similar way we have been in practice and match-days. We will not try to experiment and play like we have played in the past three matches.”

Meanwhile, Mizanur Rahman Babul, the U-19 coach, believes his charges have the con� dence and capability to reach the last four in the tournament. He, however, also pointed out the failure of the opening batting pair – Pinak Ghosh and Saif Hasan – and said, “We are working on it and hopefully with God’s grace, they will come good.” l

Spinners will be key: Nepal coachn Minhaz Uddin Khan

Nepal Under-19 coach Rajat Bahadur Tamata believes their tie against hosts Bangladesh will be a battle of the spinners. The two sides face each other today in the � rst quarter-� -nal of the U-19 World Cup at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Nepal have been one of the surprising teams of the age-level tournament’s 11th edi-tion, progressing to the last eight riding on wins against New Zealand and Ireland. The hilly nation have already achieved their best result in history, given that their previous best � nish came in 2006 when they emerged as the Plate champions.

And Rajat thinks along with the home side’s spin attack, their spinners are also like-ly to play a key role on the low and slow wick-ets at the home of cricket as the tournament has reached its business stage.

“De� nitely our spinners will be the strength. We have a good bowling attack I believe. Batting is also good but we look for-

ward more to our bowling department,” Rajat told the press conference previewing the � rst quarter-� nal in Mirpur yesterday.

“Bangladesh have also got a very good spin attack. I saw three or four matches and noticed their spin bowlers are really good. It is challenging for us but we look to play good cricket,” he said.

A lot has happened since Nepal U-19 last defeated their Bangladeshi counterparts in New Zealand 14 years ago. Along with the senior side, the junior Tigers have improved drastically in recent times, as was evident in their convincing group-stage wins over hold-ers South Africa, high-� ying Namibia and Scotland.

And even though the Nepal coach said he is under no illusions with the di� cult task facing them, he thinks his charges will give a good account of themselves.

“It will obviously be a challenge for us giv-en that they are a Test-playing country and have been playing good cricket. But I think we are also good. Our guys have been work-

ing hard for the last few months. We have a disciplined and dedicated side. So we are looking forward to some nice cricket,” said Rajat.

Earlier this week, the Nepal U-19 side got mired into controversy after 25-year old Mumbai cricketer Kaustubh Pawar on social media blamed captain Raju Rijal of being over-age. Pawar claimed that he had played together with Raju, then named Raju Shar-ma, in a U-15 tournament several years ago.

Later, the International Cricket Council looked into the matter and expressed its sat-isfaction, thus making Raju eligible for the rest of the tournament.

The Nepal coach said they are not con-cerned with the issue and added that every-one in the team is focussed on the tourna-ment only, and not any o� -the-� eld matters.

“We are not at all worried at that. He is a Nepalese citizen and has all the documents to verify his age. I don’t know if he has played in India or not. We have no pressure about it at all,” said Rajat. l

Tigers trio o� to PSLn Minhaz Uddin Khan

Bangladesh trio Shakib al Hasan, Mush� qur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal left Dhaka to join their respective Pakistan Super League sides in Dubai yesterday.

The cricketers were scheduled to leave last Tuesday but were denied following visa issues. Critical rules and regulations in the United Arab Emirates often make visitors to the region struggle in obtaining a visa. They eventually received their travelling docu-ments last Wednesday night and boarded the earliest � ight yesterday.

All the Bangladeshi cricketers will be in action tomorrow, albeit in di� erent games. Tamim will be opening the innings for Pe-shawar Zalmi against Islamabad United while Shakib and Mush� q, often called the

dependable duo, will be representing the Shoaib Malik-led Karachi Kings against La-hore Qalandars.

Left-arm quickie Musta� zur Rahman was the fourth Bangladeshi roped in, by the Qa-landars, during the PSL draft in December 2015, but his shoulder injury, added with the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s concern of exposing him before the World Twenty20, made him unavailable for the inaugural edi-tion of the tournament.

The � ve-side franchise-based T20 tournament raised its curtains in Dubai yesterday. Every team will play each other twice and the top four teams will qualify for the PSL play-o� s. The top two teams will play the � rst quali� er while the loser of the quali� er and winner of the eliminator will meet in Quali� er 2. l

Nepal Under-19 cricketers put the � nishing touch to their preparation yesterday on the eve of their U-19 World Cup quarter-� nal clash against Bangladesh today MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Tamim Iqbal (L)

and Shakib al Hasan pose for

Mush� qur Rahim’s

sel� e after the

Bangladesh trio landed

in Dubai yesterday

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A member of the Maasai Cricket Warriors bowls a ball during a charity match against former Rugby players in Sydney, Australia yesterday. The Maasai Cricket Warriors travel the world to campaign against female genital mutilation and substance abuse, while promoting conservation in their homeland

AP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Women’s cricketer banned for bettingAustralia has banned women’s cricketer Piepa Cleary for six months, with another 18 months suspended, for placing bets on a men’s Test match between Australia and New Zealand in November. The 19-year-old Cleary, who plays for Western Australia state, had placed six bets totalling A$15.50 ($11.10) on the match at Adelaide Oval.

–REUTERS

Bayern boss denies Vidal booze claimsBayern Munich’s director of sport Mathias Sammer has threatened legal action over re-ports Arturo Vidal has an alcohol problem and defended Pep Guardiola’s decision to coach Manchester City next season. The worst kept secret in football was con� rmed on Monday when the 45-year-old Guardiola announced he will replace Manuel Pellegrini at City in a deal reportedly worth more than £15 million a year.

–AFP

Del Potro to make comeback at Delray BeachFormer U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro announced another comeback on Wednesday after almost a year out with a left wrist injury. The 27-year-old former world num-ber four, who won the U.S. Open in 2009, used social media to announce he would be returning to the circuit at Delray Beach on Feb. 15.

–REUTERS

Dutch star De Jong joins Gerrard, Cole at LA GalaxyDutch mid� elder Nigel de Jong, the AC Milan captain who helped the Netherlands reach the 2010 World Cup � nal, has signed with the Ma-jor League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, the US club announced Wednesday. De Jong � gures to partner English standout Steven Gerrard in mid� eld and together with English defender Ashley Cole give the Galaxy a revamped look as they seek a fourth MLS crown in six seasons.

–AFP

Falcao left out of Champions League squadRadamel Falcao has been left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad having su� ered a miserable � rst half of the season. Chelsea pub-lished their squad lists for the remainder of the Champions League and Premier League cam-paigns on Wednesday and there was no place for the Colombian in their European lineup.

–REUTERS

Ferguson backs Infantino’s FIFA bidFormer Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Russia on Wednesday declared backing for UEFA executive Gianni Infantino’s bid to become FIFA president. The European confederation’s general secretary is locked in a battle with four other candidates ahead of the February 26 vote for a successor to Sepp Blat-ter leading football’s corruption-rocked body.

–AFP

QUICK BYTES

ICC to review ‘Big Three’ changen AFP, Dubai

Cricket’s administrative body decided yesterday to stage a complete review of the constitutional changes which gave the major powers and revenues to Australia, England and India two years ago.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) adopted the changes, empowering Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the big three of the game.

But the changes were opposed by some member countries which threatened a divide in the body.

The ICC Board meeting which � nished yesterday announced there would be a review of the “Big Three” change.

“The Board has agreed to carry out a complete review of the 2014 constitutional changes with a view to establishing govern-ance, � nance, corporate and cricketing struc-

tures that are appropriate and e� ective for the strategic role and function of the ICC and all of its members,” the ICC said in a press re-lease.

The review has been on the cards since India’s Shashank Manohar replaced country-man Narayanaswami Srinivasan last year.

“I don’t agree with the three major countries bullying the ICC,” Manohar had said last year.

The ICC said it would seek independent governance by electing a chairman who is not associated with any member board.

“In order to avoid any potential con� icts of interest and to follow best practice principles of good governance, the ICC would seek to re-establish, as quickly as possible, the ‘inde-pendent’ position of ICC chairman,” ICC said.

That will be done by electing a new chair-man in the June 2016 meeting, it said.

The ICC said all nominees must be either a past or present ICC Board director and should have the support of at least two Full

Member directors. The permanant positions of “Big Three” in the executive and � nance committees are also removed.

“The Board agreed to approve changes to the terms of reference of the Finance & Com-mercial A� airs Committee and Executive Committee so as to remove the permanent positions for the nominees of India, Australia and England,” said the ICC.

Manohar said the ICC was seeking im-proved governance.

“The decisions taken clearly re� ect that we collectively want to improve the govern-ance in a transparent manner, not only of the ICC but also the Member Boards,” he said.

“This, in turn, will enhance the image and quality of the sport. No member of the ICC is bigger than the other.”

The ICC Board also reinstated Sri Lanka’s membership which was suspended after alleged involvement by the government, a breach under ICC’s constitution. l

Centurion Buttler leads England to rain-hit triumphn AFP, Bloemfontein

A century by Jos Buttler set up victory for England by 39 runs on the Duckworth/Lew-is method in the � rst one-day international against South Africa at the Mangaung Oval on Wednesday.

Buttler’s 105 was the main contribution as England piled up 399 for nine, easily their highest one-day total against South Africa and their second highest of all time.

Fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock hit an even better century, mak-ing 138 not out o� 96 balls before rain end-ed play with South Africa on 250 for � ve in 33.3 overs. But whereas Buttler was part of a powerful team batting e� ort, De Kock’s only

signi� cant support came from Faf du Plessis, who made 55. Buttler hit 11 fours and � ve six-es in a 76-ball innings.

Despite De Kock reaching his ninth one-day international century o� 67 balls, South Africa were unable to keep pace with a Duckworth/Lewis target which grew larger with every wicket that fell before rain eventually arrived.l

SA v ENG, 1ST ODIEngland

399 for 9 (Buttler 107, Hales 57; Morris 3-74) South Africa

250 for 5 (de Kock 138*, du Plessis 55; Moeen 3-43)England won by 39 runs (DLS method) England batsman Jos Buttler tackles a bouncer

during their 1st ODI against South Africa AP

28DT Sport

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez heads to score against Valencia during their Copa del Rey semi� nal, � rst leg match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday AP

Barcelona mauling one of my worst experiences: Nevillen Reuters, Madrid

Valencia coach Gary Neville described his team’s 7-0 drubbing by Barcelona in the Spanish King’s Cup semi-� nal � rst leg on Wednesday as one of his worst experiences in football.

The former England defender has failed to win eight league matches since being appointed manager of the La Liga club last month.

“I am not going to sleep well tonight,” Neville told reporters.

“This is one of the worst experiences I’ve ever gone through in football.”

Neville was handed his � rst manageri-al job in December, working alongside his brother Phil, and has been the subject of mounting criticism from Valencia fans with “#Nevilleveteya”, translated as Neville go now, trending on Twitter.

Neville, 40, enjoyed a trophy-laden career as Manchester United right back before be-coming a highly respected television pundit with Sky.

“I last doubted myself 18 years ago and after that I developed coping mechanisms to deal with situations,” he said.

“I’m � ne.” l

Seven-star Barca rout Valencian Reuters, Barcelona

Luis Suarez scored four goals and Lionel Messi grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona all but wrapped up their King’s Cup semi-� nal by crushing Valencia 7-0 in the � rst leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Barely seven minutes had elapsed when Neymar stole the ball from a careless Andre Gomes in mid� eld, raced forward and passed to Suarez who ri� ed a shot across goal past Matthew Ryan.

Barca went two up when Sergio Busquets sent a long ball down the right which Aleix Vidal pulled back for Suarez to blast past Ryan.

“Great result which puts us closer to the objective,” Suarez told Movistar. “There’d have to be a catastrophe to not play the � nal.”

Valencia struggled to contain a Barca side with Neymar, Messi and Suarez creating dan-ger almost at will.

Gary Neville’s side rarely got near goal-keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as Barcelona produced one of their best performances of the season with Andres Iniesta and Messi playing in their ninth King’s Cup semi-� nal in 10 seasons.

Messi scored the third after a neat back-heel from Neymar.

On the stroke of halftime Barcelona were awarded a penalty when Shkodran Musta� brought Messi down and was sent o� but Neymar hit the post to leave the score 3-0 at the interval.

Russian Denis Cheryshev came on as a substitute for his Valencia debut just before Messi scored Barca’s fourth in the 59th min-

ute, taking a backheel from Suarez and weav-ing past two defenders.

Valencia had the ball in the net in the 69th minute after Cheryshev laid on for Rodrigo but it was ruled out for o� side and Messi soon completed his hat-trick.

“I couldn’t imagine a debut like this. I know it’s Barcelona but we can’t give such an image (of ourselves),” Cheryshev, on loan from Real Madrid, said. “Like this we won’t go anywhere.”

Suarez scored twice in the last seven min-utes, a header from Adriano’s cross and a shot from Arda Turan’s square ball taking the Uruguayan’s tally to nine goals in � ve match-es and 35 for the season.

The second leg, in which Barcelona can af-ford to rest leading players, should be a mere formality in Valencia next Wednesday. l

“Valencia are going through a very di� cult situation. It isn’t

easy for anyone up against a team like us. Valencia’s situation is not pleasant,

not even for us. I do not like to see opponents in this

situation. We’re just doing our job.I am sure they will get

out of this soon” –BARCELONA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE

Cut Costa some slack: Hiddinkn AFP, Watford

Guus Hiddink accused Watford of trying to provoke Diego Costa after the Chelsea striker was involved in a series of clashes during a feisty 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road.

Costa appeared fortunate to avoid a red card after he pushed over Watford defender Sebastian Prodl and then shoved Juan Carlos Paredes later in the � rst half. But Chelsea in-terim manager Hiddink felt Costa was more

sinned against than sinner on this occasion. “It was very clear because we were very

close. Paredes punched Diego in his back and after that they stumbled,” Hiddink said. “This is something we must not do. It’s prov-ocation to get Diego o� the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Everton mid� elder Ross Bar-kley should no longer be considered a young prospect but regarded as a player who can marshal and inspire his team, manager Rob-erto Martinez said. The 22-year-old convert-ed two late penalties in his 100th Premier League game for the To� ees as Everton eased to a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened New-castle United on Wednesday.

“Today, he showed that he is not a young man anymore, he is still young in terms of age but in footballing terms he is someone ready to lead a team.” l

Semi-� nal, � rst-leg

Barcelona 7-0 ValenciaSuarez 7, 12, 83, 88, Messi 29, 59, 74

COPA DEL REY

Everton 3-0 NewcastleLennon 23, Barkley 88-P, 90+4-P

Watford 0-0 Chelsea

EPL

Chelsea striker Diego Costa shoots at goal as Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes looks on during their Barclays Premier League match at Vicarage Road on Wednesday REUTERS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

DAY’S WATCHCRICKET

STAR SPORTS 18:30AM

ICC U19 World Cup 2016Quarter� nal 1

Bangladesh v Nepal

STAR SPORTS 29:50 AM

Ranji Trophy 2015/16Quarter� nal Day 3

Bengal v MPCA

SONY SIX 5:00 PM

Masters Champions League 2016Sagittarius Strikers v Gemini Arabians

9:30 PMCapricorn Commanders v Libra Legends

FOOTBALL TEN HD

2:40 PMA-League 2015/16

Adelaide United v Sydney FC

TEN ACTION5:00 PM

I-League 2016King� sher East Bengal v Aizawl FC

STAR SPORTS 21:15 AM

Bundesliga 2015/16VfL Borussia Monchengladbach v SV Werder

Bremen

SONY ESPN HD1:30 AM

Liga Bbva 2015/16Malaga v Getafe

1:45 AMSky Bet Championship

Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford

HOCKEY STAR SPORTS 2

6:10 PMHockey India League 2016

Kalinga Lancers v Delhi Waveriders

KABADDI STAR SPORTS 2

8:10 PMPro Kabaddi League 2016

Delhi v Mumbai 9:30 PM

Bengaluru v Jaipur

TENNIS

TEN SPORTS 7:00 PM

ATP World Tour 250 2016Open Sud De France: QFs

BASKETBALL SONY SIX6:00 AM

NBA season 2015/16Detroit v New York

8:30 AMNew Orleans v LA Lakers

LIGUE 1 TOP 5 Team GP W D L GD PTS

1 Paris SG 24 21 3 0 50 66

2 Monaco 24 11 9 4 7 42

3 Nice 24 11 6 7 10 39

4 Angers 24 10 7 7 5 37

5 Caen 24 11 3 10 3 36

Frosinone 1-0 BolognaDionisi 77-P

Empoli 1-1 UdinesePucciarelli 90+1 Zapata 23

Fiorentina 2-1 CarpiValero 2, Zarate 90+3 Lasagna 73

Verona 2-1 AtalantaSiligardi 42, Pazzini 83 Conti 30

Inter Milan 1-0 ChievoIcardi 48

Juventus 1-0 GenoaDe Maio 30-og

Lazio 0-2 Napoli Higuain 24, Callejon 27

Palermo 0-2 AC Milan Bacca 19, Niang 33-P

Sampdoria 2-2 TorinoMuriel 66, Belotti 71, 90+4Soriano 84

RESULTS

Lille 1-0 CaenSoumaoro 59

Nice 1-0 ToulouseBen Arfa 82

Lyon 3-0 BordeauxLacazette 41, 87, Kalulu 90+3

Reims 2-1 AngersTraore 43, Bouka Moutou 15Charbonnier 50

Guingamp 4-0 TroyesErding 5, Sankhare 46, T. Giresse 56, Blas 90

Nantes 3-1 Gazelec AjaccioSala 14, Bedoya 23, Mayi 26Adryan 58

Paris SG 3-1 LorientCavani 6, Ibrahimovic 55, Guerreiro 19Kurzawa 69

RESULTS

Juventus mid� elder Juan Cuadrado (L) challanges Genoa mid� elder Diego Capel during their Italian Serie A match at Juventus Stadium in Turin on Wednesday AFP

Napoli stay top, Juventus edge Genoan Reuters, Milan

Napoli maintained their two-point advantage at the top of Serie with a 2-0 victory at Lazio on Wednesday in a game suspended due to racist chanting as Juventus beat Genoa 1-0 to break a club record for consecutive league wins in a single season.

Gonzalo Higuain scored his 23rd goal in 23 league games for Napoli this season when he � nished from close range after � ne work from Marek Hamsik in the 24th minute.

Jose Callejon added a second when he lobbed the advancing Federico Marchetti af-ter Lorenzo Insigne’s exquisite long ball.

The match was halted for three minutes in the 68th minute after racist abuse aimed at visiting centre back Kalidou Koulibaly, but the referee opted to play on having consult-ed with players, coaches and o� cials and the game was completed.

Napoli moved on to 53 points, two clear of

Juve and eight ahead of third-placed Fioren-tina who survived a late scare to beat strug-gling Carpi 2-1 with Mauro Zarate bagging a sensational 93rd-minute winner.

Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa was sent o� for the second consecutive match.

Juve registered their 13th consecutive league win thanks to a moment of magic from Juan Cuadrado, who evaded Armando Izzo with a superb shimmy before his cross de-� ected past Mattia Perin in the 30th minute.

The champions stayed second on 51 points and Massimiliano Allegri’s side are only four wins away from equalling Inter Milan’s re-cord of 17 consecutive Serie A victories set in the 2006-07 season.

The win came at a cost, however, with Martin Caceres and Patrice Evra being re-placed due to injury and Simone Zaza was sent o� in stoppage time.

“Sunday’s 4-0 win at Chievo created a lot of euphoria, but tonight our feet are back on the ground,” Allegri told Mediaset Premium. “This reminded us that there are no easy games.”

Inter halted a miserable run with a 1-0 home win over Chievo, Mauro Icardi ending his recent scoring drought, while Carlos Bac-ca’s � fth goal in his last � ve games set AC Mi-lan on their way to a 2-0 victory at Palermo.

Bottom club Verona won their � rst league game of the season when they beat 10-man Atalanta 2-1. l

PSG set new French league unbeaten recordn AFP, Paris

Paris Saint-Germain established a new Ligue 1 record on Wednesday as they stretched their unbeaten streak to 33 matches by easing past Lorient 3-1 at the Parc des Princes.

Edinson Cavani was given a rare start by Laurent Blanc and justi� ed his manager’s decision by opening the scoring in only the sixth minute.

Lorient struck back midway through the � rst half with a well-worked equaliser from Raphael Guerreiro. The defending champi-ons forged ahead again though with a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal 10 minutes after half-time.

PSG were not at their � uent best, but Lay-vin Kurzawa made it three with an excellent strike. Blanc rang the changes, six in all, from the side that equalled the record Nantes set over 20 years ago by winning at Saint-Etienne on Sunday. “We can be very pleased tonight. The record, it really is something,” Blanc said after his side’s 14th win in a row. l

SERIE A TOP 5 Team GP W D L GD PTS

1 Napoli 23 16 5 2 33 53

2 Juventus 23 16 3 4 28 51

3 Fiorentina 23 14 3 6 19 45

4 Inter Milan 23 13 5 5 10 44

5 Roma 23 11 8 4 17 41

Showtime30DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

nShowtime Desk

Dhallywood actress Toma Mirza recently con� rmed to play the lead in the directorial venture of Royal Khan, Game Returns.

The sequel of Royal Khan’s earlier � lm Game, released in 2015, casts Nirob in lead along with Toma Mirza.

The � lming of Game Returns began on January 24 and Toma is set to join the cast and crew on February 5. Abdullah Zahir Babu has written the screenplay and dialogue for the � lm while music has been composed by Are� n Rumi and Belal Khan.

Toma made her debut through Tomar Majhe Ami with Nirob back in 2010 and

Game Returns is set to be fourth venture of the duo. The duo’s other two ventures are Bolo Na Tumi Amar and Nodijon.

Initially, new face PJ Helen was talked to play the lead along with Nirob in the � lm but after starting o� the shooting, Helen is replaced by Toma. Other major cast of the � lm includes Labonno, Misha Sawdagar and Don.

Currently, Toma is working with Shah Riaz in AK Zaman’s Addiction. Along with Game Returns, Toma has signed up for Aant Anar Jibon Chaar Ana Baki directed by Sudeep Kumar Dey.

Toma’s three others big screen endeavours Lovely, Graash, and Premer Odhikar are in queue for release. l

nShowtime Desk

Recently, musician Khayam Sanu Sandhi lent his musical expertise for a Valentine’s day special drama called Tomay Bhebe Lekha. Sandhi composed a romantic song for this drama with the recording taking place soon after. Once the trailer for the drama was released, it went viral on social media sites.

Tahsan Khan and Kuhu Mannan have lent their voices for the song. “I worked with Kuhu before, but this is the � rst time Tahsan Khan has sung for me and I am very excited,” Sandhi added.

The Valentine’s special drama’s cast includes Tahsan Khan, Adnan Farook Hillol, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Safa Kabir and Nabila Islam, among others. The drama is presented by Dabur Amla and will be telecast on RTV. l

nShowtime Desk

Friends star Matt LeBlanc will o� cially be joining Chris Evans as a presenter on the new season of Top Gear. The BBC con� rmed the news in a statement Thursday morning, adding that it will be the � rst time a non-British host has led the show in its 39-year-history.

“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!” LeBlanc said of the news.

Chris Evans added, “Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear. Acting out our craziest

car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year.”

LeBlanc had previously appeared on Top Gear in the show’s Reasonably Priced Car segment, and now a representative for Top Gear has revealed that LeBlanc “will be in the entire series.”

Previous stars Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond parted ways with the show last year following a bust-up between Clarkson and one of the show’s producers. The trio will present a new car show for Amazon Prime. l

Tahsan and Sandhi join forces

Matt LeBlanc to host Top Gear

Return of Toma Mirza

Showtime 31D

TFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Mashrafee and Musta� z at Coke Studio

Alia, Sid and Fawad ready to rock the year

n Farzana Zaman

You read that right! Mashrafee and Musta� z are at Coke Studio, but they are not singing up for any programmes. In fact, both cricket stars are shooting for two assignments - one, a TVC and another a photoshoot.

The Showtime team caught up with Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, captain of Bangladesh National Cricket Team and Mustafizur Rahman, left-arm pace bowler.

Mashrafe was found working on a TVC for a fast moving consumer goods company (FMCG) as an endorser of a drink. “The script follows the style of a monologue where audiences will get to know the real ‘Mashrafe,’” an o� cial at Coke Studio con� rmed. The TVC is directed by Adnan Al Rajeev.

Musta� zur Rahman was joined by Soumyo Sarkar along with captain Mashrafe for their Robi shoot. While Mashrafe was found shooting for his TVC, Musta� zur was posing for a photoshoot for Robi.l

n Showtime Desk

Yesterday Karan Johar released the � rst poster of his much awaited upcoming � ick, Kapoor & Sons giving us an insight into the characters and the general mood of the � lm. With Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan sharing screen space together, the � lm is full of promise.

The � lm also casts Rishi Kapoor who looks quite unrecognisable in an old man’s get up as a cute dadu to Alia and also Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak, who played the unforgettable character of Maya Sarabhai on a popular telly show.

Producer Karan Johar just took to Twitter to surprise the audience. The poster gives out a youthful, zesty vibe but we hope and pray that the � lm does not become another Shaandaar at the box o� ce. l

Back Page32DT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

MASHRAFE, MUSTAFIZ AT COKE STUDIO PAGE 31

SME LOAN GROWTH SLOWS DOWN IN 2015 PAGE 15

HOSTS PREPARE KO PUNCH FOR NEPAL PAGE 25

Publishers hopeful about weekend salen Nure Alam Durjoy

Publishers at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016 are hoping to see a fruitful day as the fair enters its � rst weekend today.

The number of visitors has been increas-ing every day since the fair took o� on Feb-ruary 1, but the publishers believe that the weekend will bring a larger crowd and the book sale will be impressive.

The fair will be open to visitors from 11am today, sources said.

Today is also the � rst day of Children’s Hour, scheduled to take place from 11am to 1pm every weekend throughout the fair.

“Two hours will be dedicated to our child visitors on Fridays and Saturdays until the last day of the fair,” said Dr Jalal Ahmed, member secretary of the book fair committee.

A children’s corner has been set up in Suhrawardy Udyan for this purpose, dedi-cated solely to children’s literature to cater to the little bookworms.

In addition, an art competition for chil-dren will be held at 8:30am, Jalal said.

Publishers hope this special attraction will bring in more visitors and make the fair-ground more lively, said several publishers.

The weekend e� ect was already visible last evening as there was a good number of bookworms roaming the fairground.

Mohammed Shahadat Hossain, publish-er of Annesha Prakashan, said the � ow of visitors this year is comparatively better than last year. “We are hoping for a good turnout this weekend.”

Visitors will need more time to � nd the stalls and pavilions they are looking this year because the fairground has been ex-panded, he added.

Avinu Kibria Islam, a teacher at Jessore University of Science and Technology, also commented on the expanded fair premises.

“It is taking more time than before to � nd the publishing house I am looking for,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Rabiul Hossain, manager of Ahmed Pub-lishing House, said: “We have seen a good turnout of visitors on the � rst four days. I hope it will be much better on Friday.”

At least 93 new books were published at the fair on the fourth day of the fair yester-day, taking the total number of new arrivals at 163. l

AMAR EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR 2016

Book Author Genre Publisher Amol Taruni Taar Jyotiprakash Dutta Novel AnyaprokashEkattarer Muktijoddha Mubarak Hussain Essay Ahmed Publishing HousePreservation of Endangered Languages of Bangladesh

Towhid Bin Muza� ar, Haroonuzzaman and

Talim Hossain

Research Adorn Publication

Salvador Dalir Miss Bangladesh Hasan Ferdous Story Bangla Prakash Dheuyer Vitor Dabanol Naushad Jamil Poetry Anya Prakash Private Life of Yahia Khan Written by Dewan Barindranath

and translated by Ra� k HaririBiography Oitijjhya

Science Fiction Somogro, part-2 Mostofa Kamal Science Fiction Ananya

UN panel: Assange arbitrarily detained in Ecuador embassyn Reuters, Stockholm/London

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s three-and-a-half-year stay in the Ecuadorian em-bassy in London to avoid rape investigation in Sweden amounts to “arbitrary detention”, a United Nations panel will rule on Friday.

Assange, a former computer hacker who has been holed up in the embassy since June 2012, told the UN Working Group on Arbi-trary Detention that he was a political refu-gee whose rights had been infringed by being unable to take up asylum in Ecuador.

He denies allegations of rape in 2010 and has portrayed them as a ploy to have him eventually sent to the United States, where he could be put on trial over WikiLeaks’ pub-lication of the classi� ed military and diplo-matic documents

Britain said it had never arbitrarily de-

tained Assange and that the Australian had voluntarily avoided arrest by jumping bail to � ee to the embassy.

But the UN panel of outside experts has ruled in Assange’s favour, Sweden said.

“(The) working group has made the judg-ment that Assange has been arbitrarily de-tained in contravention of international com-

mitments,” a spokeswoman for the Swedish Foreign Ministry said, con� rming a BBC report.

The ruling is to be published on Friday.Assange had said earlier in a short mes-

sage on Twitter that he would have left the embassy if the UN panel had ruled against him.

“(But) should I prevail and the state par-ties be found to have acted unlawfully, I ex-pect the immediate return of my passport and the termination of further attempts to arrest me,” Assange, 44, said.

Britain said Assange will be arrested if he leaves his cramped quarters at the embassy and then extradited to Sweden.

The decision in his favour marks the latest twist in a tumultuous journey for Assange since he incensed the United States and its allies by using his WikiLeaks website to leak hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. diplo-

matic and military cables in 2010, disclosures that often embarrassed Washington.

In his submission to the UN working group, Assange argued that his time in the embassy constituted arbitrary detention.

Assange says he is the victim of a witch hunt directed by the US and that his fate is a test case for freedom of expression.

He said that he had been deprived of his fundamental liberties, including lack of ac-cess to sunlight or fresh air, adequate medi-cal facilities, as well as legal and procedural insecurity.

Per Samuelson, one of Assange’s Swed-ish lawyers, said if the UN panel judged As-sange’s time in the embassy to be custody, he should be released immediately.

Since Assange’s con� nement, WikiLeaks has continued to publish documents on dif-ferent topics. l

A reader skims through her newly purchased book at Bangla Academy on the fourth day of Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016 yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

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