Moeen urges govt to withdraw emergency before election

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Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed made Tuesday a 'special request' to the government to lift the state of emergency for holding a free, fair and credible election in the country, report agencies.
He said the government must withdraw the state of emergency before the election slated for December 29.
"We want that election takes place and emergency does not continue. That is what is going to happen, but it is my request to allow some time that will be required to create the condition suitable for lifting the state of emergency", General Moeen said.
The Army Chief made the remarks in an instant response to a request made by Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), at a reception accorded to him (General Moeen) by the Council of Chambers President (CCP) at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre.
"I do believe that the government would withdraw the emergency before the polls but time and opportunity should be given to make the announcement," General Moeen said.
At the reception, General Moeen said: "I believe that the 'government of the people' would be formed through a free, fair and credible election that would continue the unfinished tasks."
BSS adds: The Army Chief categorically said the members of the armed forces would always stand by the people in times of any natural calamity or any crisis of the nation.
"In the backdrop of special circumstances at the time of 1/11 change-over, we were given some particular responsibilities by the government which we had carried out with utmost sincerity and devotion," he added.
General Moeen said at the directives of the government, all the members of the armed forces had returned to the barracks within 48 hours.
In an emotion-chocked voice, the Army Chief said: "We are your people and always remain so in your good times as well as bad times as we are not opponent to anybody; rather, we are complementary to all".
The CCP accorded the reception to the Army Chief on behalf of 64 chambers of the country in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation.
The function was presided over by the President of CCP and first Vice-President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Abul Kashem Ahmed.
General Moeen expressed the hope at the function that Bangladesh would be a middle-income country, ahead of 2020, with a per capita income of $750 as the income generating activities in both urban and rural areas would be increased significantly.
He said that the country required an efficient and visionary leadership that would emerge through a free and fair election and would carry forward the remaining works of the government to achieve the goal.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq was present at the function as the special guest.
Former CCP president Kamal Uddin Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Haque, president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Latifur Rahman, former FBCCI presidents Abdul Awal Mintoo and Yusuf Abdullah Harun spoke on the occasion.
Annisul Huq said a total of 40 chamber buildings are being set up across the country with supports from the present government. This will would immensely help boost business activities, he noted.
Bangladesh stood second in the UN peace keeping missions with over 9,000 troops followed by Pakistan, he said adding Taka 24 billion (2,400 crore) was remitted by the peacekeepers last year.
Latifur Rahman put forward a set of proposals to the next elected government including energy efficiency, political stability, good governance and infrastructure development.
The country needs infrastructure development, growth centres at all villages, crops diversification and research-based production in next five years to make the country a middle-income one by 2020, said Yusuf Abdullah Harun.
Anwarul Alam Chowdhury said the country has already witnessed massive development efforts in every sector like education and health and more particularly in readymade garment (RMG), ship building and other industrial sectors. As part of the steps, he said some 1,500 job opportunities are being generated in the apparel sector every year.
Fazlul Haque said public-private partnership is a must to develop the country's service sector by using its potentials.