The meeting of the advisers' council with President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed in the chair at Bangabhaban rather focused on other issues.

A major part of the meeting passed with the home secretary briefing on the current law and order situation and preparation for the coming hajj management, a meeting source said.

The meeting also discussed Adviser Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury's visit to CEC MA Aziz's residence on Thursday night, controversies over government officials' postings, and the 14-party alliance's declaration of indefinite blockade programme from November 12.

The council discussed its earlier move of sending an adviser to Aziz's residence to discuss his stepping down, which did not work out.

"In the wake of current situation, we talked about what could be done but we could not reach any decision," one of the advisers told The Daily Star last night.

It would take more time to come to any solution to make the EC effective, the three-hour-long meeting observed.

The chief adviser, however, did not make any remark on the issues, said the source, adding, "He asked the advisers to continue their work in their respective ministries."

The advisers' council discussed the law and order situation in the country to make sure it does not deteriorate ahead of the elections. It asked the home ministry to recover illegal weapons and strongly deal with "chaos, indiscipline and unlawful activities" and restore public confidence.

A few advisers cautioned the home ministry to remain alert not to harass innocent people during its drives to control the law and order.

About the 14-party's ultimatum ending on November 12, the home secretary informed the council that he is working to keep the law and order under control.

When a few advisers raised the issue of controversies over the changes and transfers of government officials, the president told the meeting that he would see to it, sources said.

The meeting directed the civil aviation ministry to initiate necessary measures for carrying hajj pilgrims safely to Saudi Arabia and back home. The number of hajj pilgrims this year is about 49,000.

The advisers' council also decided to issue necessary directives to the Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arabia to take measures so that Bangladeshi pilgrims do not face any "harassment" or "mismanagement". The meeting decided to appoint volunteers in Saudi Arabia during the hajj.

The meeting also discussed different projects and issues of different ministries.

All advisers, Cabinet Secretary Abu Solaiman Chowdhury, principal secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office, and secretaries concerned were present at the meeting.