PM accuses post-75 rulers of executing Pakistani junta's agenda

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today accused the post-1975 rulers of implementing the agenda of the then Pakistani junta to appease Islamabad.

"They didn't want that the people of Bangladesh will get square meals, houses and pursue study . . . they were executing the agenda of the Pakistani occupation forces in different way," she told a discussion coinciding with the Genocide Day.

The premier said those who grabbed state power after Bangabandhu's 1975 assassination did not want Bangladesh's development and advancement and rather wanted the country to be turned into a failed state and remained as a poor country.

"Their intention was to make Pakistan happy . . . Zia, Ershad and Khaleda Zia, all pursued the same agenda," said Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League.

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) organised the discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

AL Advisory Council Members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, General Secretary Obaidul Quader and AL Central Committee Member Nurul Majid Humayun spoke on the occasion as party leaders.

Independence Award-recipient freedom fighter Colonel (retd) Sajjad Jahir, Bir Pratik, Awami League Dhaka North City Unit General Secretary Sadek Khan, AL Dhaka South City Unit General Secretary Shahe Alam Murad took part in the discussion, moderated by party's Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud and Deputy Publicity and Publication Secretary Aminul Islam Amin.