Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for the participation the Armed Forces in the overall development of the country.
"For the overall development of the country, we want the participation of the Armed Forces," she said, while exchanging views with officials and employees of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) at AFD’s Multipurpose Hall in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, reports UNB.
Briefing reporters after the program, her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the prime minister as saying that the government’s aim in the next five years would be to complete all the mega projects taken up in her last two tenures.
She noted that the country’s poverty level was now at 21.8% and it has to be brought down by another 5% in the coming days. "We want to put the country at a place from where there will be no scope to step back."
Defence is very important for a country, she said, adding that the foreign policy of Bangladesh was “Friendship to all and malice to none.”
"We do not want war, but we have to prepare ourselves so that we can protect the country if we are attacked."
Praising the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers across the globe, she said the peacekeepers had to be provided with proper and time-befitting training before they were sent abroad.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds a meeting with officials and employees of the Armed Forces Division held at its Multipurpose Hall in Dhaka Cantonment on January 13, 2019 | Focus BanglaThe prime minister expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the people for giving Awami League another chance to serve the country.
She said the focus of development in the coming days would be at the grassroots level of the country.
The prime minister’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, and AFD Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman, were among others present at the meeting.
Tribute to martyred Armed Forces members
Prior to the meeting with AFD officials on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to martyred members of the Armed Forces, upon assumption of office as prime minister for the fourth time.
Upon her arrival at Shikha Anirban, the prime minister was received by the three service chiefs of the army, navy, and airforce, and the AFD PSO.
She paid homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War, placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban (Eternal Flame) of Dhaka Cantonment in the morning.
A contingent drawn from the army, navy, and air force, presented a guard of honour, while the bugle played the last post.
Hasina, who is also in charge of the AFD and the Defence Ministry, signed the visitor book at Shikha Anirban.
After the ceremony, she attended office at AFD for the first day after her re-election on December 30.
On her arrival at the AFD, she was received by the AFD PSO, and directors general.