Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reissued a strong warning against wrongdoers, saying that the law will ensure punishment for those who commit crimes.
“The law will take its own course against criminals, whoever they might be and whichever party they belong to,” she said during a meeting with expatriate Bangladeshis living in Azerbaijan at Hotel Hilton Baku Friday evening, reports BSS.
The premier said: “You have seen that adequate action is being taken. Any of our party members who indulged in crime has been punished instantly.
“We see criminals as merely criminals, and not as anyone else.”
Meanwhile, the prime minister returned home last night after wrapping up her four-day official visit to Azerbaijan
A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka around 7:20pm.
Earlier in the meeting, she said there was unbridled corruption during the five-year rule of then BNP-Jamaat government.
She added that a vested quarter is committing heinous crimes by spreading rumours about various issues.
'BNP leader getting more facilities than other prisoners'
Replying to a question from an expatriate about better treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the prime minister said the she is getting more facilities than other prisoners.
“A maid servant is serving jail due to willingness of Begum Zia. That means she (maid servant) is now in prison to provide services to the BNP leader,” she said.
The prime minister said in the history or any country, there is no such instance of keeping an innocent maid servant in jail by a convict. “Khaleda Zia is receiving that facilities,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the BNP chairperson is now undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital and she has been given a separate cabin there.
The prime minister said the BNP men are saying that she (Khaleda Zia) is sick. “I said that they could wage movement for her release,” she added.
“They (BNP) could not wage any movement or build up public opinion in this regard and they failed to do it,” she said. “But we’ve nothing to do and what can we do to this end?” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina said Khaleda Zia has been convicted in a case filed during the last caretaker government. “Some more cases against her are pending,” she said.
The prime minister said two sons of the BNP leader have been convicted in money laundering cases, August 21 grenade attack case and the 10-truck arms haul case.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is continuing action against terrorism, corruption and drugs. “We’re getting very good results from the drives … narcotics destroy a person and family,” she said.
“Overall, I’m trying my best and as long as I remain in power I continue work for the country,” she said.
Discussion with Myanmar on Rohingya issue continues
While talking about the Rohingya issue, the prime minister said discussion is underway with Myanmar to solve the problem. “We’ve constructed houses for one lakh Rohingya families in Bhashanchar …however, many NGOs don’t want they (Rohingyas) move to the island,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina spelled out the country’s tremendous development in various sectors including health, education, ICT and social safety net.
“Bangladesh is now a role model of development in the world due to this success,” she said.
The prime minister also recalled the contributions of the expatriates to the country’s socioeconomic development.
The two-day summit of the NAM, a forum of 120 developing countries, ended on October 26 at Baku Congress Centre in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.