Marina Sayeed

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today categorically said that the drive against militancy, terrorism and narcotics will continue to ensure peace and security of the people.

“There will be no room for unjust and injustice in Bangladesh. Our operation against militancy, terrorism and narcotics will continue … we want to build a drug, militancy and terrorism-free nation,” she said in her speech before an iftar here this afternoon.

The prime minister hosted the iftar for lawyers across the country at her official Ganabhaban residence.

Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to ensure peace and security of the people. “We hope that Bangladesh will be developed and prosperous country in South Asia and we want to build the country in this way,” she said.

The prime minister said that the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu was completed while the trial of war criminals is being held and their verdicts are being executed to free the country from stigma.

She said that Bangabandhu started the trial of war criminals just after Independence, but military dictator Ziaur Rahman stopped the trial after grabbing the state power illegally.

“We have freed the country from the stigma through completing the trial of Bangabandhu’s killers and initiating the trial of war criminals,” she said.

Spelling out various pro-development activities of the government, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country from a least developed one due to various pragmatic programmes of the government.

“Bangladesh is now a role model of development in the world and we want to keep up this success,” she said.

The premier said the G7 nations have invited her in their upcoming summit which will be held in Canada.

“I will be there tomorrow. They wanted to know the condition of Bangladesh, they wanted to know the magic behind the economic development of Bangladesh,” she said.

Talking about the 11 lakh Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has not only given shelter to them but also is providing food and healthcare services.

“The whole world and international organisations have stood beside Bangladesh. Even we did not find the entire world beside us during the Liberation War as some were beside us and some were not. But this time we got all of them beside us,” she said.

Congratulating the pro-Awami League lawyers for their victory in different bar elections across the country, she requested them to continue the winning spree in the coming days. “Your victory tells that if we remain united we can win and face any situation,” she said.

Earlier, the prime minister went round different tables set for the guests, exchanged pleasantries with them and enquired about their well- being.

Before the iftar, a special munajat was offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

Prayers were also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage and the martyrs of the Liberation War as well as long life and good health of the prime minister.

Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Maulana Ehsanul Huq conducted the munajat.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, former law minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed, Vice-Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council Abdul Baset Mazumdar, Barrister Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Sahara Khatun, Law Affairs Secretary SM Rezaul Karim, former justice Mezbahuddin, Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman and Barrister Fazley Noor Taposh were present on the dais, among others.

Earlier, the newly elected office bearers of Supreme Court Bar Association, Bangladesh Bar Council, Dhaka District Bar Association, Rajshahi District Bar Association, Sylhet District Bar Association, Gazipur District Bar Association, Dinajpur District Bar Association, Shariatpur District Bar Association, Lalmonirhat District Bar Association greeted the prime minister by presenting flower bouquets.