Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to Bangladeshi expatriates to contribute to enhancing the country's global image during a meeting with UK Awami League (AL) leaders and representatives from its associated bodies at her place of residence in London.
In her address, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed concern about some Bangladeshi expatriates actively criticizing the country. She noted that certain individuals who left Bangladesh due to involvement in various criminal activities, misconduct, or corruption were propagating negative narratives about the nation, often ignoring the government's developmental initiatives, BSS reported.
She called upon her party members to intensify their efforts on digital and social media platforms to counter this negative perception and highlight the achievements of the AL government and its associated organizations.
In response to critics of the government's actions and development efforts, Sheikh Hasina invited them to visit Bangladesh and witness the reality on the ground. She assured that rural Bangladesh had witnessed significant improvements in living standards and pledged to continue working towards enhancing the quality of life for the people, should the Awami League remain in power.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pointed out that under the government's initiatives, poverty in Bangladesh had dropped from 41 percent to 18 percent, extreme poverty had decreased to 5 percent, and the unemployment rate now stood at just 3 percent.
Highlighting the historical context, Sheikh Hasina recalled the movement to restore democracy in Bangladesh, which began in London in 1980 after the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. She emphasized the importance of the stable democratic journey that Bangladesh has embarked upon since the Awami League assumed power in 2009.
During the meeting, AL leaders, along with members of Chhatra League, Jubo League, Mohila League, Swechchhasebak League, and other associated bodies, expressed unanimous support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership in realizing the vision of a "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal), as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen also addressed the gathering, with Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem and AL leaders from various European countries in attendance.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's call to Bangladeshi expatriates emphasizes the government's determination to improve the country's global image and ensure that the benefits of development reach all citizens.
