AL symbol of confidence of 16 crore people: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh Awami League has now been turned into a "symbol of confidence and support" of 16 crore people as the party is taking the country to the path of prosperity.

"Bangladesh Awami League is taking the country to the path of prosperity by climbing 'Bangabandhu's dream stair' with a goal of development, progress and establishing equality-based society ... the party has now been turned into a symbol of confidence and support of 16 crore people," she said.

In its continuation, she hoped, Bangladesh would surely be turned into a developed and prosperous country before 2041.

The prime minister said this while replying to a starred question placed by treasury bench member Begum Fazilatun Nesa Bappi (women seat-30) during her question answer session in the House.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said the party will take the people ahead with self dignity by following the glory achieved in 1952 and 1971.

"It's going to be possible due to the farsightedness of Awami League in running the state," she said.

The leader of the House said her government is pledge-bound to advance towards development by involving the people and maintaining transparency and accountability and obligation to the people.

"Our aim is to build a developed Sonar Bangladesh and we're marching forward towards the goal with this belief," she said.

The premier said after the independence, Bangladesh was considered as a "test case" of development. But it has now been regarded internationally as the "role model of development".

Elaborating the steps of the Father of the Nation to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Awami League has been striving to materialise his dream by establishing a happy, prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh under Vision 2021 before the declared time. "The competent successors are still carrying the torch with utmost integrity which Bangabandhu lit 42 years ago," she said.

Buying Chinese submarines won’t affect ties with outside world

Sheikh Hasina told the parliament that purchasing of two submarines from China would not create any negative reaction in the political arena in the outside world, as the decision is related to the national interest of Bangladesh, reports our staff correspondent.

In reply to lawmakers’ queries in the parliament, Hasina said, the two submarines were bought from Bangladesh’s one of the key development partners--China in a bid to modernise the country’s defence system through upgrading the Bangladesh Navy into a “three-dimensional force”.

In reply to another query, the PM informed the house that her government has a plan to form a separate police unit to combat militancy and different other criminal activities.

Hasina, also the leader of the House, said her aim in life is to fulfil her father’s dream to ensure welfare and happiness of the country people.