Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Friday said parliament will be centerpiece of building a prosperous state by implementing the goals including equality, human dignity and social justice of the Liberation War.

“This government is elected by the people which will build a happy, prosperous state by implementing the goals of the Liberation War and fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of people and parliament will be its centerpiece,” he said.

The newly appointed Speaker of the 13th Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said this after paying homage to the martyrs of the great Liberation War by laying a wreath at Savar National Memorial.

Newly appointed Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal also laid a wreath at the memorial.

At this time, they observed silence for a while and prayed for the forgiveness of the departed souls.

Then, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker signed the visitor's book.

In response to journalists' questions, the Speaker said his role in running the parliament is to be neutral like an umpire in a game of cricket.

"I have resigned from the party to perform my duties impartially in the National Parliament. The opposition party will get enough opportunities in parliament. We were together in the movement to remove dictatorship. We have enough tolerance towards them."

He said the National Memorial is a sacred place that is the holder and bearer of Bangladesh's independence. “I feel fortunate and inspired to be able to pay my respects here.”

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, "I remember with deep respect the proclaimer of independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and I pray for the forgiveness of the souls of the Liberation War martyrs."

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He said that he had the opportunity to participate in the great Liberation War and had the privilege of fighting on the battlefield under martyr President Ziaur Rahman. “I was injured in the war."

I remember with respect the political workers of different parties, students, guardians, and people of various classes and professions who have been martyred in the past 17 years while protesting against the ‘mafia government and overthrowing the dictatorial government’.