Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said why should the government be afraid of being sanctioned by the foreign countries.
She said: “Why should we be sanctioned? With RAB, we suppressed terrorism, militancy.”
The premier made the remarks at a press conference held at Ganabhaban on Monday afternoon on the outcome of her recent three-nation visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom from April 25 to May 9.
"After Holey Artisan, no major event happened in Bangladesh. Because, our law enforcement forces have done good things like intelligence surveillance and other things. As a result, nothing happened. Why the sanctions? That is our question," the premier asked.
Sheikh Hasina said: "I have told the Finance Ministry and Planning Ministry about the purchase. From now on, we will have a condition that we will not buy anything from those who sanction us. What is to fear here? We can solve the problem by producing it."
She also said due to inflation and food shortage, food purchases are being limited in developed countries. Rich people are not affected by the inflation but common people were facing a lot of difficulties.
“From that point of view, we have given incentives to our people. People's cries were not heard during Ramadan," she added.
The prime minister said: "We have helped people enough during Ramadan. Our leaders and activists also did the same. So what are we worried about? Out of nowhere, how can they scare us with threats of sanctions? Why should we be afraid? We made the country independent through the liberation war. We overcame those who feared our Seventh Fleet and gained victory.”