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Cox's Bazar wears festive look ahead of PM’s visit on Saturday
Major points of Cox’s Bazar town and two sides of the roads are now adorned with banners, festoons, and billboards to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who will address a public rally in the coastal town on Saturday .
Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, will inaugurate 15 projects and lay the foundation stones of four other projects. She will address a rally at 2:30 pm in Moheshkhali’s Matarbari.
On Saturday morning, the premier will inaugurate the iconic oyster-shaped railway station in the Hajipara area of Jhelongja Union.
Our main goal is to hold fair and neutral vote: PM Hasina
According to the notification of the Deputy Commissioner, on this day, the prime minister will inaugurate 15 projects including railways and lay the foundation stones of 4 projects worth about Tk 88,000 crore.
Of these 15 projects, nine are major projects and 6 are small.
The projects to be inaugurated include railway line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar, Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, Matarbari Deep Sea Port Channel, Bridge over Bakkhali River, Connecting Kutubdia Island to National Grid through Submarine Cable, Ukhiya Waste to Power Generation Project, Technical Training Center in Ramu Upazila, expansion and development work of Chakaria Bir Mukti Joddha Shaheed Abdul Hamid Municipal Bus Terminal, Kutubdia Thanda Chowkidar Para RCC Girder Bridge, Gorakghata-Shaplapur Janatabazar Road in Maheshkhali, land filling of Water Development Board under Airport Development Project, Dam Construction Project, Eidgaon Jahanara Girls High School, Moheshkhali Yunuskhali High School, Ukhiya Ratna and Morichya Palong High School academic buildings.
PM Hasina returns home from Saudi Arabia
On the other hand, the projects to be laid foundation stones are-- 1st Terminal of Matarbari Deep Sea Port Channel, Teknaf Multipurpose Disaster Resilient Shelter cum Isolation Centre, RCC Girder Bridge Construction on Nanda Khali Road in Ramu, and Building Construction Project under Cub Scouting Expansion Scheme in District Primary Schools.
Stringent measures have been taken by law enforcement agencies to ensure foolproof security.
Cox’s Bazar District Awami League has taken all preparations to make this event successful.
PM Hasina to leave Saudi Arabia for home tonight
Mujibur Rahman, general secretary of District Awami League, said that several lakh people will gather in this public meeting. Adequate security measures have been taken by the concerned including the police administration.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of the prime minister's arrival on Saturday, the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Cox's Bazar Md Shaheen Imran banned carrying and displaying all types of legal weapons in Cox's Bazar.
He said that this measure has been taken to control law and order in the district and to ensure security during the PM's visit.
Our main goal is to hold fair and neutral vote: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said holding a free, fair and neutral election is the main goal of her government.
“Election is coming and this is the democratic and constitutional right of the people. Protecting this right and holding a free, fair and neutral election is the goal of the government,” she said.
The prime minister said this while delivering her introductory speech at the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting at her official residence Ganabhaban here.
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She said that the democratic rights of the people so far have got is the outcome of Awami League’s movement and struggle.
“The free, fair and neutral election is the contribution of Awami League,” she said.
Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, said that her party believes in the democratic and constitutional rights of the people.
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“Awami League repeatedly came to power getting votes of the people, formed government and developed socioeconomic status of the people,” she said.
Coming down heavily on BNP, she said that whenever people live in peace, BNP becomes active to create anarchy through arson terrorism.
“We have to save people from this unrest and arson terrorism, this is the main task,” she said.
The prime minister mentioned that conspiracy is on by the vested quarters to cripple Bangladesh economically.
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“They are conspiring from every side to create unnatural situation in the country through arson terrorism and killing people. We have to advance facing all these odds,” she said.
She requested all to remain vigilant so none can stop the forward march of the country in the coming days.
Hasina called for resisting arson terrorists, militants and corrupted in the soil of Bangladesh like they did in the past.
She said that in 2013-14, it was the people who resisted the arsonists, corrupts and militants.
The PM called for thwarting the conspirators, corrupt people, money launderers, arms smugglers and arson terrorists.
She said that the people of Bangladesh believe in democracy, peace and development.
“It is with this belief that Bangladesh is moving forward at an unstoppable speed and this progress must be continued in the future as well," said the PM.
She mentioned that people of the country have to decide whether they want militancy, arson, arms smuggling, corrupt people and money embezzlers from orphans, or they want the continuation of development initiated by Awami League.
Referring to Israeli attacks on Palestine, she said that like Israelis, BNP-Jamaat is attacking common people, hospitals and police.
PM Hasina said that the popularity of Awami League has not decreased in the last 15 years, rather people have greater confidence, trust and dependence on it.
Referring to various surveys, the prime minister said that 70 percent of the people of the country have confidence in Awami League.
In his speech, the prime minister strongly criticised the incitement of the garment workers and said that in this case, the far-right Jamaat and the far-left organisations, including the Communists, are speaking in unison.
Meanwhile, she warned that if any factory is destroyed due to vandalism in the name of the movement, the production and export will be disrupted, the bread and sustenance of the workers will hampered.
She said that even though the owners increased the workers' wage to a minimum of Tk12500 a month, vested quarters are trying to create a situation to destabilise the garment industry.
Keeping this in mind, Hasina mentioned that the Awami League government has not limited the development of the country to just metro rail, Karnaphuli tunnel or big flyovers.
“We have given importance on the development of rural areas, rather than the urban ones,” she said.
PM Hasina returns home from Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home on Wednesday morning after attending the International Conference on Women in Islam and performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
A commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 7:41 am.
PM Hasina to leave Saudi Arabia for home tonight
Earlier, the flight departed King AbdulAziz International Airport here at 10:54 pm on Tuesday local time.
On November 5, the premier went to Madina on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
On that day, she performed Ziarat of the Rawja Mubarak of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) at Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina and offered Fateha there after Asar prayers.
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Then she left for Makkah and performed holy Umrah at the Al Masjid Al-Haram ((Kaaba Sharif)) after Esha prayers ob the same day.
On November 6, the prime minister attended the conference and delivered her speech.
On the sidelines of the conference, she also held meetings its top officials of OIC and member countries.
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Apart from joining the conference, she attended the opening of the Women in Islam Exhibition and banquet dinner in honour of her.
The Kingdom in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted the conference on November 6-8.
HAAB writes to PM for refixing hajj airfare
The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) on Sunday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking her intervention to reset the airfare in this year's hajj package.
The letter signed by M Shahadat Hossain Taslim, president of the association, was submitted to the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.
Earlier on November 2, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan announced 'Hajj Package-2024' at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.
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This year, the hajj package has been fixed at Tk 5,78,840 under the government management and Tk 9,36,320 under special arrangement, with the airfare of Tk 1,94,800, Tk 2,997 less than last year’s airfare.
“Though the airfare was reduced compared to the last year, it is possible to reduce it further considering various factors. As Biman is a commercial organization, the HAAB central executive council thinks that fixing fare under their sole authority was not appropriate,” reads the letter.
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At present, the airlines are selling Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka return tickets for around Tk75,000, the letter says, "They are operating flights with about remaining 20 percent seats vacant." On the contrary, almost 100% of passengers travel by flight during Hajj. Moreover, the operating cost of empty return flights is also low. Normal flights need additional costs in marketing and system management, which Hajj flights do not. Considering all these things, the maximum airfare for the dedicated Hajj flight could have been Tk 150,000, according to the letter.
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“You (PM) are always dedicated to the welfare of Hajj pilgrims and your role in modern and welfare-oriented Hajj management is universally appreciated. In the current context, Muslims intend to perform hajj across the country are only looking at you. Therefore, taking into account of the current situation, HAAB is requesting your kind intervention regarding rearranging the Hajj package by reducing the airfare of the pilgrims through an independent technical committee,” the letter concluded.
Expose real character of BNP to the world: PM to journalists
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (November 02, 2023) urged the country’s journalists to expose the real face of the BNP before the international community as the opposition party’s activists swooped on the media persons who were covering their October 28 rally.
“You, journalists, should expose internationally the real character of those who attacked you while performing duty,” she said.
The premier was addressing the Delegates Conference-2023 of BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists at the National Press Club in the city.
Noting that the anti-liberation forces have no right here in Bangladesh, she said, “Those who believe in terrorism and militancy have no right here. They don’t want the welfare of the people of this country and they are foes of the people.”
The PM said the attackers of journalists and police must pay as some 30 journalists were injured in the attacks carried out by BNP men on October 28 last.
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She said the BNP men carried out attacks even in disguise on that day, believing that they could remain unidentified and escape punishment. But they’ve finally been caught, she said.
“They carried such misdeeds. Those who kill and attack journalists and police must face punishment,” she said.
Hasina strongly condemned the way BNP attacked journalists and police. “Committing terrorist acts is their character,” she said.
She also blasted different international organisations of journalists, including Reporters Without Borders for keeping silent over this attack.
“Where are they now? We don’t see them and don’t hear any words from them. Where have they disappeared suddenly?” she said.
The PM said some 30 journalists were injured and some have been receiving treatment in hospitals. “But we don’t hear anything from any of them,” she said.
She compared the BNP’s attack on the police hospital here to the bombing on a Palestine hospital by Israel.
They (BNP) carried out the attack on a hospital here the same way the Israel bombed a Palestine hospital and killed women and children.
“I don’t know if they are taking lessons from the Jews,” said the prime minister.
Talking about the 9th wage board for journalists, PM Hasina said it is the responsibility of the owners to implement it. It is very unfortunate that they filed a case instead of implementing it.
She said the preparation continues to form the 10th wage board and the government has a plan to bring electronic media journalists under the wage board.
She put emphasis on bringing the journalists who are working outside Dhaka under the coverage of the wage board.
The premier announced to provide another amount of Tk 10 crore as donation to the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust. The fund was formed with the seed money provided by the prime minister.
She assured the journalists working outside Dhaka of giving plots to them under district-based housing projects.
Noting that there is a huge number of newspapers in Bangladesh, she said the number of newspapers is not so high even in many developed and rich countries. There are 3,241 newspapers in the country, she said.
Turning to the development of Bangladesh, she said today’s Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country thanks to the continuation of the democracy and the government from 2009-2023.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud spoke as the special guest at the function chaired by BFUJ President Omar Faruque.
BFUJ Secretary General Dip Azad conducted the event, while President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Sohel Haider Chowdhury and leaders of different units of BFUJ spoke on the occasion.
In the function, former BFUJ leaders were honoured with crests.
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PM Hasina inaugurates 50 more model mosques
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday inaugurated 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the country as part of her government’s programme to spread true message of Islam.
She opened the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in the sixth phase during the National imam Conference and Prize Giving Ceremony-2023.
Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman Al-Bua'Yjan was with the prime minister during the event.
Religious Affairs Ministry organised the function at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Rupganj of Narayanganj. Three pandals have been set up at the venue.
After reaching the venue, the prime minister first visited the pandels along with the imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina.
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Both the premier and the imam spoke briefly to the imams gathered at the venue from different parts of the country.
She thanked the imams for coming to join National Imam Council and urged them to pray for wellbeing of the country and its people.
"Pray to Allah that the development of the country being carried out by the government goes on,” she said.
PM Hasina also thanked the custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Monday’s opening of the mosques raised the number of such model mosques to 300.
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The government has taken up a programme of building 564 model mosques and Islamic centres across the country.
The PM unveiled 50 mosques each in the first phase on 10 June, 2021, in the second phase on 16 January this year, in the third phase on 16 March, in the fourth phase on 17 April and in the fifth phase on July 30.
The construction of the remaining mosques and Islamic cultural centres is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
The mosques and centres are being built under a programme to spread the true message of Islam following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The model mosques and Islamic cultural centres include separate places for ablution and namaj along with air-conditioning system.
There will also be registration and training arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, autism corner, ritual system before burial, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sale centre and boarding facility for local and foreign guests.
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In 2017, the government has taken a project with Taka 9,435 crore for constructing Islamic Cultural Centres and Model Mosque in every district and upazila as well as municipality of the country.
An audio-visual documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.
State Minister for religious affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the event addressed among others by President of Tarikat Foundation Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, Maulana Dr. Mohammad Kafiluddin Sarkar Salehi and Maulana Ehsanul Haq Al Mojaddedi.
Secretary for religious affairs ministry Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the address of welcome.
PM to hold press conference tomorrow on Belgium visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference on Tuesday afternoon on the outcome of her recent official visit to Belgium.
The press conference will start at 4 pm at her official residence Ganabhaban, Prime Minister’s Office press wing said.
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PM Hasina returned home on Friday morning after wrapping up her three-day official visit to Belgium.
In Brussels the PM attended the "Global Gateway Forum-2023" on October 25-26 at the invitation of the European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen.
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During her stay in Brussels, PM Hasina had a number of meetings with leaders of European countries, the European Commission (EC), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Parliament as well as attended a community reception on the sidelines of the Forum.
Make Loss and Damage Fund on climate change fully operational: PM Hasina urges rich nations
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called upon the authorities concerned to make the Loss and Damage Fund fully operational.
"The loss and damage fund should be operational completely," she said while UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) Under Secretary General and Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence here.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the meeting.
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The aim of the Loss and Damage Fund is to provide financial assistance to poorer nations as they deal with the negative consequences that arise from the unavoidable risks of climate change - for example: rising sea levels, extreme heat waves, desertification, forest fires, crop failures.
The prime minister expressed dissatisfaction as the rich countries are not complying with their promises.
"Response from the Loss and Damage Fund from the rich countries have yet to be adequate " she said while UNOPS Under Secretary General has brought the COP28 for discussion.
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The prime minister said her government has taken various measures to make Bangladesh as a climate resilient country that included raising a climate trust fund by its own resources.
She said they have given houses to the climate refugees at Khuruskul in Cox's Bazar under the Ashrayan Prokect-2.
The premier said her government has built green belt, artificial mangrove forest and planted trees in huge numbers alongside giving climate resilient houses to the people along the costal belt.
The UNOPS official highly praised the delopement of Banhladesh particularly the social safety net programmes and micro savings under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
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He apprised the premier that the UNOPS in collaboration with DG of Health Services are constructing medical grade oxygen generating plants for 29 hospitals around Bangladesh.
In response, the PM Hasina said," It will be better if the plants are constructed in all the 64 districts in Bangladesh.
The premier greeted the UNOPS for responding the humanitarian need during the Rohingya influx in Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017 and also during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
She appreciated the UNOPS expertise of managing projects.
The premier said she believed that UNOPS proven expertise in project management can help improve the project implementation culture in Bangladesh.
Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.
PM condoles death of freedom fighter Badrul Alam Bir Uttam
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of valiant freedom fighter Squadron Leader (retd) Badrul Alam, Bir Uttam.
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In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina said that contribution of this fearless aviator, of the “Kilo-Flight”, to the Liberation War will be remembered.
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The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Awami League advisory council member and former deputy minister AFM Fakhrul Islam Munshi.
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In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina said that the death of Fakhrul Islam Munshi rendered an irreparable loss to the political arena of the country.
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She prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
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