Sheikh Hasina

The prime minister made the remarks on Saturday when inaugurating the 60th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, Xinhua news agency reported. "There is now a tendency to impose sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have made a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will impose sanctions," said the prime minister.

"Allah gives us lives, and He has the supreme authority to give lives and take lives, killing is against the Quran," she said, adding that those who believe in Islam genuinely must have tolerance towards other religions. "In Bangladesh, all religions have the same rights, people will perform their respective religious rituals, Allah will judge everything (on the Doomsday). He does not give that right to any human, all have to remember that," she said.

"Our drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption will continue. All of you must remain cautious regarding this matter," she said, and also requested the parents to remain alert so that their children do not get drawn to drugs and militancy. Hasina said this while addressing a public rally at TT High School ground at Bhangar Haat in Gopalganj.

It is impossible to assume power by lobbying foreigners. It seems like someone coming from outside will take the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) to power.... It (BNP) has been dreaming so. Once upon a time, they could make it happen by acting as a broker (of foreigners). But there is no scope left in Bangladesh to come to power through the acts of an agent.

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone, adding, "If external forces attack us, we will face that. For that we are building the armed forces accordingly by taking various steps. Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force."

Claiming that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had prepared a voters' list with 1.23 crore fake voters to hold a farcical election, Hasina said that the Election Commission (EC) has been constituted through a search committee following a law enacted by her government that has made it more transparent and accountable. The government has also given complete financial independence to the poll panel, she said.

Hasina said this while delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) to elect new leadership. Hasina, who has been re-elected for the 10th time as AL president, asked the party leaders and activists to remain united in order to resist conspiracies and advance the country towards prosperity.

Hasina warned that the descendants of the "vultures of 1971" and the "hyenas of 1975" are still active in this country. "They hurt the country with teeth and claws whenever they get a chance," she said. "Had the BNP-Jamat alliance been in power (2009-2022), Bangladesh would never have made such progress... could not be a developing country."

Presiding over a discussion meeting organised by her Awami League at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre to mark the 'Martyred Intellectuals Day', she also said that military dictator and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman started disappearances and killings in Bangladesh, killing hundreds of armed forces officers and freedom fightes in jails across the country and the firing ground in Dhaka Cantonment alongside the killings of numerous AL leaders and workers.

Addressing the public meeting organised by the district chapter of Awami League (AL) at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar, Hasina said that BNP-Jamaat is the promoter of militancy who indulged in arms trade, grenade attacks, and arson during their regime.