Be vocal against terrorism: PM

Terrorists have no religion, caste, state, she says

FE Team | Published: April 22, 2019 23:59:45

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Apr 21 (UNB): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina strongly condemned on Sunday the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and urged everyone to be vocal against terrorists, reports UNB.
"Terrorists are terrorists. They've no religion, caste and state. They're terrorists. So, all will have to be vocal against them," she told a mass reception accorded to her by the Bangladeshi community in Darussalam at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Regretting the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, Sheikh Hasina said there will be no room for any terrorist, militant, corrupt or drug addict in Bangladesh.
She said Bangladesh has not only announced zero tolerance policy against such terrorism and militancy but also took actions immediately by keeping its intelligence agencies alert.
Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmad, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russell, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Md Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru and State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid were present.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Mahmud Hussain presided over the reception event.
The PM termed the torching and vandalism of the BNP-Jamaat allies in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as terrorism. She called upon all to remain alert so that such arson terrorism cannot recur.
She also elaborated her government's steps for the development of various sectors, including food, power, health and education.
The government aims to ensure housing and food for everyone, she said adding that the poverty rate came down to 21 per cent, while the extreme poverty rate was reduced to 11 per cent.
About expatriates, the PM said whenever her party comes to power it works for the wellbeing of the expatriates. "Since the expatriates largely contribute to our economy, we think it's our duty to work for their wellbeing," she said.
Hasina said massive development works are going on in Bangladesh and 100 special economic zones are being developed to create huge jobs.
She said the government is going to introduce e-passport to check cheating and frauds in recruiting Bangladeshi workers abroad. She urged the workers to remain alert so that they do not fall victims to any cheating or fraud.
She suggested the overseas jobseekers not to go abroad by selling their homestead or other land, rather they can take loan from Probasi Kalyan Bank completing the registration process at digital centres to get overseas jobs at low cost.
The PM also suggested the overseas jobseekers to receive training and develop skills so that no one can neglect them in foreign lands.