Nat'l consensus needed for credible polls: Iftekhar

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday stressed the need for raising the students as worthy citizens and skilled manpower.
He was speaking as chief guest at a discussion titled 'Role of the civil society in expanding education in Sylhet division' at Saifur Rahman Auditorium in the city.
The adviser said the quality of primary education should be ensured along with technical education at the secondary level to help build a job-oriented education system in the country.
Presided over by Prof Qamrul Ahsan Chowdhury, the discussion was also addressed by former adviser of a caretaker government Prof Sufia Rahman and GOC of 33 Infantry Division Maj Gen Abdul Hafiz.
Earlier on Thursday, the foreign adviser urged people to build a national consensus for holding a free, fair and credible election.
He made the appeal while speaking at a scholarship giving ceremony at Paltee High School ground at Jagannathpur upazila in Sunamganj district.
Dr Iftekhar said the country has entered into a new chapter through the first anniversary of the caretaker government.
He also distributed winter clothes among the poor and destitute at Ishankona and Syedpur areas.
The adviser said the government has been upgraded to a new phase through the formation of a new council of advisers on Wednesday.
At this stage, the objective of the government is to hold a free and fair election, and all will have to reach a consensus to attain this goal, he added.
Stressing the need for boosting agriculture production, the foreign adviser said it would be difficult to import food grains from abroad in future.
Self-sufficiency in food must be attained, reducing dependence on import, he added.
Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Saber Hossain, Liberal Democratic Party leader in UK Syed Nurul Islam Bulu and UK-based Sunamganj Development Council President Syed Khalid Mia Walid also spoke on the occasion.
Addressing another function at Sylhet district council auditorium, the foreign adviser called for a national consensus to sustain institutional reforms carried out by the present caretaker government.
He was speaking as chief guest at a prize giving ceremony organised by local Islami Sahitya Parishad.
The function coincided with the launching of a monthly magazine named 'Nokshikantha'.
Dr Iftekhar said the national election will be held this year, and people should keep pressure on the elected government to uphold the reforms done by the present caretaker government.
He called upon all, irrespective of party affiliation, to remain united regarding reforms.
Chaired by Tajul Islam Fayez, the function was also addressed by Brigadier Jobayer Siddiqui, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Harun-ur-Rashid and poet Mostafa Allama.