No use worrying about visas, sanctions : PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said it doesn't matter at all if someone does not go to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour-plane journey.

"There are other oceans and other continents in the world. We will make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant," she said firmly. The prime minister said this while attending a programme organised to inaugurate the office building of the Dhaka district Awami League in the city's Tejgaon area.

She said Bangladesh will run on its own feet and vowed to build the country. "We will not be dependent on others. It's no use worrying about who will not issue us visas or who will impose sanctions on us," she said. Hasina, however, advised the USA to look at the party "which rigged votes" and "played with the fate of the people" - referring to the BNP. She mentioned that the Canadian High Court had declared BNP 'a terrorist party'. "The USA did not issue a visa to Tarique Zia for terrorism and corruption," she added.

Hasina, also the chief of the ruling Awami League, said her party knows the importance of working for the welfare and benefit of the people of Bangladesh and working tirelessly to achieve the developing country's status.

"The country will be a developed country by 2041. We also formed Delta Plan 2100 for the future generations," she said. She said that she has confidence and faith in the people of the country.

"They know that only by casting their vote for Boat (electoral symbol of Awami League) their fate will be changed," she said. The PM also had something to say to the Awami League leaders and workers. "People will pay you back if you sacrifice for the people," she said.

"You have to remember that. You have to strengthen the organisation so that no evil force could play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. It is our responsibility to save the people from the clutches of the evil force," she said.

The prime minister said it's regrettable that BNP, a party involved with arson terrorism, grenade attacks and terrorism activities, sermonises about democracy. Regarding the criticism about the budget for 2023-24 fiscal, she said the government is confident of implementing the budget.

"They are repeating their same old songs which they usually utter during every budget period," she said referring to the criticisms from the opposition and civil society. Sheikh Hasina said the government has been able to achieve remarkable development in Bangladesh.

"This [development] happened as in the 2008, 2014 and 2018 elections people of the country voted Awami League to power. Because of that, there is a stable and democratic environment in the country and it resulted in this unprecedented economic development," she said.

She mentioned that if stability was not maintained and Awami League was not in power, "this sort of development" would not have been possible in the country. "This is the ground reality, no one would work for the people of the country [except Awami League]," the PM said.

Earlier, arriving at the venue, the prime minister unveiled the plaque of Dhaka District Awami League office. She also visited various parts of the office. On the occasion of the inauguration of the newly constructed building of Dhaka District Awami League by the Prime Minister, party leaders and activists were seen waiting to welcome her with a procession on both sides of the road from her official residence Gono Bhaban to the office building (Tejgaon).

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