Will push again for Jamaat's war crime trial: law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday told parliament that the government will settle the issue of trying Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party for its involvement in crimes against humanity, through a legal process.

In reply to a query from Awami League MP Waresat Hossain Belal, the minister also informed the House that the law ministry will take initiative again to send the amendment to International Crimes Tribunal law to the cabinet division, in line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's direction so that it can be placed before the cabinet meeting.

In a scripted answer, Anisul said the law ministry had earlier sent the amendment to the ICT law to the cabinet division aimed at trying Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party for its involvement in crimes against humanity in the country's Liberation War in 1971.

In reply to another question, the law minister said his ministry has taken various measures including appointing 571 assistant judges in lower court since 2014, for quick disposal of the huge number of cases in different courts across the country.

In reply to a query of AL lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari, the minister said it is under the government's active consideration to set up Attorney Service in a bid to conduct cases by public persecutors.

3.36 LAKH POSTS VACANT AT GOVT OFFICES

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain yesterday informed parliament that the government has taken various steps to fulfill vacant posts of the government offices, as 3,36,746 posts are now vacant at public offices of the government.

 “Bangladesh Public Service Commission has recommended for 1,289 posts from different cadres through 37th BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service), aimed at appointing vacant posts,” he said this replying to a question made by AL MP M Shamsul Haque Tuku of Pabna-5.

The state minister said the government has requested agencies concerned to verify pre-service curriculum of the recommended candidates, adding, “After getting verification report of the pre-service information, freedom fighter certificate and health check-up, they will be given final appointment.”

In addition to this, the appointment process of 8,719 vacant posts of different ministries are now underway through the 38th , 39th and 40th BCS, he said.