Bangladesh will move forward: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in office for a second consecutive term, says her government is determined to take Bangladesh forward despite all obstacles.

She has sounded a stern warning to the BNP-led alliance, which is enforcing a violent anti-government agitation since Jan 5 that claimed at least 40 lives.

“No matter how great the obstacle is, Bangladesh will surely overcome them, much the way it achieved independence,” Hasina said while inaugurating IWM building in Dhaka on Saturday.

The ruling Awami League president said the people would never accept the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance’s blockade campaign.

Violence on highways is hampering goods movement across Bangladesh, pushing up essential prices in towns and cities even as farmers and local businesses suffer losses.

“The BNP-Jamaat alliance must stop this… We will not allow them to toy with the people’s lives,” the prime minister warned.

She said the opposition coalition was trying to impede Bangladesh’s development.

Hasina said the defeated forces of the 1971 had become “active again” and urged everyone to unite against them.

“We have to prevent such acts of violence. I urge everyone to unite with the spirit of the Liberation War so that no-one can stop Bangladesh’s development,” the prime minister added.