PM wants more effective parliamentary democracy

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Tuesday said her government is working relentlessly to make parliamentary democracy more effective to ensure accountability of the government for all its activities and their transparency, reports BSS. She said this when the visiting Speaker of National Assembly of Bhutan, Tshogpon Jigme Tshultin, paid a call on her at her office. During the meeting, they discussed wide range of issues including strengthening parliamentary democracy and enhancing bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of the two nations. After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen. The Prime Minister recalled her visits to Bhutan twice during the last two years and its recognition of Bangladesh as an independent state. Referring to her government's tough stand to curb corruption, Sheikh Hasina said that her government's fight against corruption would continue for building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. The PM said her government is working to increase connectivity with the neighbouring countries including Bhutan and Nepal. She also put emphasis on hydroelectricity sharing with Bhutan. The Bhutanese Speaker stressed the importance of mutual cooperation between the Jatiya Sangsad and the National Assembly to further strengthen parliamentary democracy in both countries. He said as a new democratic country, Bhutan can learn a lot from Bangladesh on practices of parliamentary democracy through sharing of experiences. Bhutan transformed its form of government from an absolute monarchy into a multi-party democracy on March 24, 2008. Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary MA Karim, Secretary of Parliament Secretariat Ashfaq Hamid, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present at the meeting.