DHAKA: Barrister Kaiser Kamal, lawyer of BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman, has condemned dismissal of his client from government job.

He, however, also protested the way of dismissal along with issuance of condemnation over the matter, a press release said on Wednesday signed by the Supreme Court attorney.

Zubaida Rahman, who has recently been dismissed from government job as she has been absent from work for long "without permission", was a physician at an upazila health complex in Tangail.

Health and family welfare minister Mohammed Nasim, while informing Parliament about Zubaida’s dismissal on Monday, said that all are equal before law.

Nevertheless, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, in his press release, said that there are some specific rules to sack a government official. “At first, a notice has been issued asking why the employee should not be dismissed and if he or she did not respond, then another notice has to be sent. Later, steps would be taken against the employee of the state.”

Under the rules, if a public official stays abroad during leave, she or he has to be communicated through the Bangladesh mission about his or her being disqualified for the job three months before dismissal but, in this regard, no rule was followed.

Zubaida’s lawyer also alleged that health and family welfare minister, at that day, was laughing while informing the parliament on his client’s dismissal.

Moreover, many Awami League and Jatiya Party MPs thumped their desks at the announcement, he added.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal said that never, but, in the Zubaida Rahman’s case, a minister presented it in the parliament. “It is to demean her and her family in home and abroad.”

Nonetheless, the BNP senior vice-chairman’s wife’s dismissal order was issued as per section 34 of the service rules of government.

Despite her dismissal, Zobaida has to answer a notice from the Health Ministry about the reasons of her absence.

On the other hand, there also is a provision of giving back the job for if the answer is found reasonable.

BDST: 0930 HRS, SEP 03, 2014