Make sure next govt won't allow hartal, Business leaders ask CG

Top business leaders of the country yesterday urged the caretaker government to make sure before the next general election that the political forces which will come to power through polls will not allow hartal or closure of ports in any situation.

The business community leaders also unanimously suggested lifting the state of emergency as soon as possible.

And some of them proposed a ban on student politics as well as teachers politics for long for what they said is in the greater interest of the country.

The business bigwigs came up with these suggestions at a meeting with four advisers of the caretaker government at the State Guest House Meghna. The meeting was held as part of the government’s ongoing informal dialogue with political parties and other stakeholders concerning reforms within political parties and political system in the country.

The business leaders who attended the meeting included Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Latifur Rahman, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Fazlul Hoque, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Abdul Hai Sarker and Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries (BAPI) President Shafiuzzaman.

The four advisers present at the meeting are Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader, Education and Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman and LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal.

“The business community wants that people who will compete in the next general election will not allow hartal or closure of ports when they get elected, " Annisul Huq told newsmen later.

“Businessmen do not want to see any more a political situation that prevailed before 1/11 (prior to state of emergency). We want to see a qualitative change in the political culture,” the FBCCI chief said in presence of the other business leaders.

Referring to advisers’ comments on political parties’ reform proposals placed before the government, he said the parties are yet to specify what of kind of qualitative changes they would go for.

“We all want to get back a fair political atmosphere. We want effective democracy and an elected government," Annisul said.

Business leaders will submit some written proposals to the government and will have talks with it again as part of the ongoing dialogue, he added.

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