BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General and the eldest son of Khaleda Zia, Tarique has also divulged identities of his business partners and associates who include several ex-state ministers.

Besides, he talked about his 'syndicate' in Bogra, a BNP stronghold, added the sources.

The joint forces arrested him in the early hours Thursday at his mother's cantonment residence. The same day he was placed on a four-day remand on charge of extorting Tk 1 crore from a construction firm.

Ashiq, Bakul and Apu are among those identified as the ones who would play a vital part in running of the Hawa Bhaban, widely considered the ultimate powerhouse during the last five years of BNP-led coalition rule.

Tarique, who pulled the strings throughout the alliance tenure, looked pale during questioning that has been going on since his arrest, said sources close to the interrogation cell.

The investigators have been quizzing him about his business relations with Giasuddin Al Mamun, managing director of Channel 1. They are listing the names given away by Tarique and will soon go on a drive to haul them in.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday sent to jail Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader on a 30-day detention on charges of creating anarchy, patronising criminals and involvement in sabotage.

In Chittagong, a court sent to jail a former president and incumbent general secretary (GS) of the District Bar Association on charge of violating the state of emergency law by organising a demonstration against the arrest and imprisonment of Chittagong Mayor and AL leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

The joint forces also arrested the joint secretary of Tangail district BNP and Jhalakathi municipality chairman while Pirojpur district BNP joint secretary surrendered to the forces yesterday.

Quader Jailed
Obaidul Quader, who figures in the list of 50 influential political leaders and businessmen for the second phase of the joint forces' anti-corruption drive, was arrested by the forces from the house of city AL leader Ali Newaz Khan in Khilgaon Friday morning and taken to an undisclosed place.

Police filed a general diary (GD) with Ramna Police Station alleging that Quader was involved in creating anarchy and in sabotage. The GD also identified him as a patron of criminals.

Quader, also a former state minister for youth, sports and cultural affairs, was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka at 3:15pm yesterday.

In their forwarding report, police mentioned the charges against him and asked the court to place him on a 30-day detention under the Special Powers Act 1974 to restrain him from similar activities.

Quader's counsel moved a bail petition terming the allegations against him false.

Hearing both the sides, Metropolitan Magistrate Nani Gopal Biswas rejected the bail prayer and ordered sending him to Dhaka Central Jail on a 30-day detention.

Later, his lawyer told reporters, "No specific charge has been brought against him. And he has not been charged with corruption."

Meanwhile, Ali Newaz Khan, who also was arrested with Quader, was released yesterday after interrogation.

Chittagong
The joint forces arrested former president of Chittagong Bar Association Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Babul and incumbent GS Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury on charge of violating the state of emergency law by leading a lawyers' demonstration on Chittagong court premises on Thursday morning protesting the arrest and rejection of bail prayer of the Chittagong City Corporation mayor.

The forces summoned the two and five others to their camp at Chittagong Stadium Gymnasium Thursday evening and interrogated them till 11.00pm, sources said.

On Friday, they summoned Babul, also an AL city unit leader, and Saimul thrice to their camp. Once again, they were summoned around 11.00am yesterday and arrested.

The two were produced before the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate Monwarul Islam at around 5.00pm.

Rejecting their bail prayer, the court ordered sending them to jail.

The magistrate also ordered a probe into video recording of the court proceedings by Detective Branch photographer Delwar Hossain.

Tangail
The joint forces arrested advocate Ali Imam Tapan, joint secretary of Tangail district BNP and convener of district Jubo Dal, from the district sports association office yesterday.

Tapan, also general secretary of the association, faces various allegations including misappropriation of Tk 6 lakh of this organisation, involvement in the murder of Tangail district AL leader Aminur Rahman Khan Bappi and NGO official Motiar Rahman.

Barisal
Halim Gazi, BNP leader and Jhalakathi municipality chairman, was arrested when he went to Jhalakathi army camp yesterday noon as asked by the joint forces.

The forces, taking him with them, later raided and searched his house in Aratdar Potty area in the district town.

They seized Tk 7 lakh in cash, 245 pieces of saree meant for relief, four mobile phone sets and a licensed gun from his house. He was later handed over to Jhalakathi police and was sent to jail under the Special Powers Act.

Meanwhile, Reazul Huq Riad, joint secretary of Pirojpur district BNP and nephew of former BNP whip Shahidul Huq Jamal, surrendered to Bagerhat army camp yesterday morning. His surrender followed a 48-hour ultimatum given by the joint forces who had raided his house at Pirojpur town on Thursday.

Accused of extortion, attack on journalists and misuse of power with the backing of Jamal, Riad was handed over to Pirojpur police and later sent to jail under the Special Powers Act.