Our next goal is to build Smart Bangladesh

Focusing on the progress of the country under the AL-led governments since 2009, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Friday the image of Bangladesh became brighter in the world arena in the last 14 years, reports UNB.

"Today none treats Bangladesh as a country of floods, droughts and disasters. Bangladesh is now an emerging economy and a role model for development," she said.

PM Hasina said Awami League has been in the charge of governing the country for 14 years in a row after the formation of government in 2009.

"Our country has progressed a lot. But we have to take it forward further. Achieving a developed and prosperous Bangladesh is our goal. After building Digital Bangladesh, our next goal is to build a Smart Bangladesh," she said.

The premier was addressing the nation on Friday evening through state-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, marking the 4th anniversary of her current government formed on January 7, 2019 following the 11th national election held on December 30, 2018.

She asked the people to remain vigilant against the anti-liberation clique which has started plotting to seize power through the backdoor ahead of the next general election.

"I would like to urge everyone to keep a watchful eye so that none can snatch away the rights of the people through conspiracy. At the same time everyone should be alert so that none could create anarchy and damage the lives, livelihood and properties of the people in the name of movement," she said.

Hasina said the next national election will be held at the end of this year or early next year. But the anti-liberation, power-hungry plunderers of public assets have already active in creating anarchy.

"Their aim is to create a chaotic situation and seize state power through the backdoor, and impede the progress of democracy too," she said in her 25-minute speech delivered at 7:30pm.

The premier, who is also the president of the ruling Awami League, said the conspirators have employed hired intellectuals and statement-givers at home and abroad with looted money to malign Awami League.

"They are trying to mislead people by spreading libels, false and fake information through social media. Don't be misled by their falsehoods," she said.

She requested the political parties and institutions that believe in democracy and the rule of law not to allow and fuel any weird idea (mooted by the cliques ahead of the next election) that would undermine the constitutional process.

"We expect a free, fair and impartial election (to be held next time)," she said, adding that this is the first time a law has been enacted in Bangladesh to constitute an Election Commission.

She said the current Election commission has been constituted under that law through a search committee. "The Election Commission was given financial independence. The Commission is working independently and will continue to do so in the future. The government will continue providing all assistance to the Election Commission for holding fair and peaceful elections," she added.

She said Awami League is a party of the people that believes in the peace of the people and the power of the people.

"If the people make the party winner by voting for it, Awami League will continue to discharge the national responsibility of building the country. If they don't make it the winner, then we will go to the line of the people. But wherever we are, we will serve the people," she added.

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of her current regime, the prime minister extended her sincere greetings and congratulations to the citizens at home and abroad. She also wished them a very happy Christian New Year of 2023.

She said the use of robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, biological technology and digital devices will be ensured in all fields including the industrial, trade-business, health, education and agriculture sectors in a bid to build Smart Bangladesh, having smart government, smart population and smart industrial factories. "Emphasis has been placed on research in all areas," she added.

The PM focused her government's successes in bringing the cent percent population under electricity coverage, strengthening road and rail connectivity, increasing food production, implementation of different large projects including Padma Bridge, metro-rail, Bangabandhu Tunnel under Karnaphuli River, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Dhaka-Mawa-Jajira Expressway, Bangabandhu-1 Satellite, 16-km Dhaka Airport-Kutubkhali Elevated Expressway projects, and setting up 100 economic zones.