PM stresses establishing peace for development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said establishment of peace is a pre-requisite to ensure development. “Peace is a must for development. We involve people so that their support can help establish peace,” she said. She said this while the outgoing Ambassador of Afghanistan to Bangladesh Abdul Qayoom Malikzad paid a farewell call on the prime minister at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen after the meeting.

During the meeting, the Afghanistan envoy informed Bangladesh premier that the historic March 7 speech, 1971 of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was translated into Afghan language. On Coronavirus situation, Bangladesh prime minister said, “The COVID-19 is a problem for all as it’s a global pandemic. We have been fighting this deadly disease collectively.”

Describing Bangladesh-Afghanistan relations as wonderful, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and Afghanistan have worked together in the international arena.

In this connection, she said, “We are pursuing a foreign policy ‘Friendship to all, malice to none.” The prime minister also expressed her desire to help Afghanistan in its development spree.

To this end, she said that a Bangladeshi NGO BRAC has been working in Afghanistan for its socio-economic advancement She said her government has been working to make Bangladesh a poverty and hunger free country as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.

The prime minister has also conveyed her regards to Afghan president. The Afghanistan ambassador congratulated the prime minister marking the 50 years of the country’s independence.

He highly praised the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina under which Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable progress. In this regard, he said, “Bangladesh’s development is considered as the role model for all.”

The Afghan envoy also said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina), the bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened further. He greeted Bangladesh premier for extending cooperation to Afghanistan embassy in Bangladesh.

About trade and business, the envoy said that there is enough scope to enhance assistance particularly in private sector between the two countries. He requested the prime minister to reopen Bangladesh’s Embassy in Afghanistan.

PM’s Principal secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present.