Emergency creating no problem for people, economy : CA

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Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed dismissing the notion that the country is placed under a dual rule said Friday he does not perceive any political role of the armed forces, reports UNB.
"I don't feel the existence of dual rule… the army is assisting the civil government and playing an important role in curbing corruption, improving law and order, distributing flood relief. I don't see any reflection of their political role through these activities," he said in an interview with BBC (Bangla Service).
Replying to a question, the CA said the reasons that had necessitated promulgation of the state of emergency have not all disappeared, but he assured that the emergency would be lifted at an appropriate time.
On the formation of National Security Council, he said the government is pondering over the matter as such institution exists in neighbouring countries, but no final decision has yet been arrived at.
Asked if the government or its agencies are engaged in changing leadership of major parties or splitting the parties through reform process, Fakhruddin refuted the allegation saying that it was an internal affair of the parties to decide about their leadership and running their parties.
He said lifting of the ban on indoor politics has created an atmosphere for political parties to sit with the Election Commission (EC) for discussing reforms of election rules and regulations.
Asked whether the ban on indoor politics was relaxed soon after the arrest of Khaleda Zia in a bid to expedite the reform process to remove both Hasina and Khaleda from their party leadership, the CA said he doesn't think there is any element of truth in it.
He said the government had been contemplating the lifting of ban on indoor politics and it was done at an appropriate time to allow parties to discuss their own party reforms as well as cooperate with the EC in reforming election rules and regulations.
Asked about the conditions imposed after lifting the ban on indoor politics, he said these are not conditions, but some explanations or parameters to give a clear idea about the indoor politics so those who would practice it would not face any confusion.
He said Awami League (AL) has already held a meeting at its party office and they had faced no problem.
Asked why the state of emergency is not being relaxed after eight months of its promulgation, the CA said it was imposed against an extraordinary background. The government is moving ahead with a certain mission to hold a free, fair and democratic election acceptable to all.
For that, he said, it needs completion of certain tasks and certain reforms. The EC is preparing electoral roll with voters' photographs, reforming certain election rules and regulations through discussions with political parties.
Fakhruddin said ban on the indoor politics has already been withdrawn and in this process the state of emergency would be lifted at an appropriate time. He, however, said the reasons for which the state of emergency was declared have not yet disappeared.
Asked whether reforms were possible by relaxing the emergency, he said the question is whether the emergency is creating any problems to general people. He asserted that the emergency was not causing any problem for general people, for the media in transmitting news or for national economy.
He admitted that due to emergency some fundamental rights might have been curtailed, but this was a temporary measure for long-term welfare of the nation.
This temporary arrangement, he said, would continue for some time more as the government is conducting the twin tasks of holding a national election and curbing corruption, which have been accepted by the people.
Asked whether he thought the evil forces or public grievances were behind the last month's student unrest on Dhaka University (DU) campus, the CA said the DU problem was resolved, but a one-man judicial commission has been constituted to find out how and why this unrest had spread out. The government is waiting for the report of the inquiry commission, he added.
Asked what is the main challenge before him, the CA said his prime challenge was to transfer power to an elected government by holding free and neutral election.
"We're creating a level-playing field where all will participate in the elections, especially honest and dedicated people who are willing to take up leadership at national level," he said.
About the closure of talk shows in private TV channels at the instruction of a government agency, he said the government believed in freedom of mass media and they had not imposed any restrictions on them.
Fakhruddin said the government accepted and was benefited by criticisms made at the talk shows. However, he admitted that an advisory was given to the TV channels after the DU incident last month, which, he said was a temporary measure.
"We've given full freedom for last seven-eight months. There is no dearth of goodwill or sincerity in ensuring freedom of the media," he said, adding that the criticisms were very important but those must be objective and constructive.
He said those who run mass media should have self-regulatory role. This is evident in many countries around the world. "I also made the request when I met with newspaper editors and chiefs of electronic media. The government will extend all cooperation."

Replying to a question, the CA said restrictions were there under the Emergency Powers Rules over transmission of 'provocative' news. "But despite the restrictions, we have accepted constructive criticisms. There are restrictions, but you will evaluate how those restrictions are being applied."
Asked what he did mean by not publishing any new list of suspected corrupt persons, Fakhruddin said he meant that the Task Force could complete the investigation within quickest time against suspected corrupt. Curbing corruption is a continuous process and for that there are various institutions like Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which was strengthened and "we want to make ACC independent."
Besides this, he said that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Bangladesh Bank (BB) had responsibilities to look into corruption or earning through dishonest means. Therefore, the institutions engaged in the jobs would function their normal businesses.
To a question, the CA said the function of the National Task Force would gradually diminish. At one time, the Task Force was needed because the activities were in greater dimension.