Coming down heavily on BNP for unleashing arson violence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said BNP has become Azrael for Bangladesh.

“Those who are involved in such kinds of incidents can’t be pardoned. They must face punishment,” she said.

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The Leader of the House said this while taking part in the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech and thus delivering her valedictory speech simultaneously in the maiden session of the 12th parliament.

During her speech, an audio-visual presentation was screened depicting the terrible scenario of the violence and fire incidents unleashed by BNP-Jamaat jote in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2023.

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She said BNP has continued terrorist activities day after day. Many are still leading a miserable life sustaining burn injuries in the arson violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat jote, she added.

About the allegation that a huge number of BNP men are politically arrested, she questioned what is called political prisoners (Rajbondi) and how those who killed people by burning them through fire can be political prisoners. They are rather terrorists, militants and criminals.

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“None are arrested due to political reasons. Those who remain arrested are either order-givers, directly engaged in the incidents or financers. So, none of the financers, order-givers or those who are directly engaged won’t be spared,” she said.

The PM asked the members of parliament to pay heed to quick deposition of witnesses and documents of the cases filed in connection with arson violence in their respective areas for the sake of quick disposal of the cases and ensuring punishment for the perpetrators.

Referring to the Israel attack on Gaza hospitals, Hasina said Israel kills children and women. “The character of the BNP is the same as it does here what Israel is doing in Palestine. BNP has become Azrael for Bangladesh,” she said.

The first session of the current parliament, which was formed through the January 7 general election, began on January 30.

The prime minister said the country's democratic trend will continue and Bangladesh will continue marching forward at an indomitable pace.

“There will be no benefit by lodging complaints at home and abroad. And the country won’t run on what the foreigners say. We’ve seen elections of all countries,” she said, adding that none can hinder the progress of Bangladesh.

She said the January 7 general election was held in a very peaceful manner and the people spontaneously cast their votes in the election. Larger number of women and fresh voters exercised their franchise in the election.

“Such fair election as this was not held in the past,” said Hasina.

In the next five years, the Awami League government would implement its election manifesto announced before the general election.

“It is our only vow that in our five-year tenure, we’ll implement the promises we announced in the election manifesto,” she said, adding that the election promises would be reflected in the upcoming national budget.

Noting that her new cabinet has taken some decisions, she said the government will take and implement plans for the welfare of the country and will complete the ongoing schemes quickly.

The premier said the government would also take effective measures to control inflation.

The cabinet has also taken a decision for keeping the commodity prices at tolerable levels during Ramadan by controlling the prices and ensuring the normal supply of these items.

The PM said the government would continue its ‘zero tolerance policy against corruption,’ ensure transparency and accountability in public procurement, ensure right persons would be beneficiaries of the social safety programmes, create new entrepreneurs, recruit in the vacant posts in the government services, diversify export basket, produce new products, search new export markets for Bangladeshi goods, promote development of agro-processed goods and industry, and ensure the facilities and incentives for leather, jute goods and other goods as now the readymade garments enjoy.