Only democracy can lead to sustainable dev: PM

BERLIN, Oct 25: Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has said that only democracy can lead to sustainable development of peoples and nations. The PM, who is now in Berlin to attend the World Health Summit, said this while addressing a dinner hosted by the German-South Asia Parliamentary Group (GSAPG) at Regent Hotel here Monday night, report agencies. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr AFM Ruhal Haque, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Dipu Moni, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the PM Sheikh Whaid Uz-Zaman and PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present at the dinner party. "We have indeed been trying hard to establish democracy firmly through strengthening our parliamentary practices and our media, empowering our women, as well as through establishing other democratic institutions such as the commissions on Election, Human Rights, Anti-corruption and Information," Hasina said. She said that since women empowerment is vital for real and sustainable democracy, her government has been encouraging women to participate in all spheres of national life, especially in politics. The PM said that in the local government elections 45,000 women contested and nearly 13,000 were elected to seats reserved for women. In parliament, the number of reserved seats for women has also been increased to 50 from earlier 45. She said that during her first tenure, the Prime Minister's Question Hour was introduced in parliament to ensure transparency and accountability. Hasina said her government has also introduced live television coverage of the parliamentary proceedings for the benefit of the people.