State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Faridpur-2 MP Shama Obaed on Saturday called for a broad-based social movement to build a society free from drugs, corruption, terrorism and extortion.
Speaking at a civic discussion organised by the Citizens' Committee in Faridpur town on Saturday, she said such a movement must begin from every household, village, ward and union.
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"Our 17 years of struggle must not be wasted because of our own mistakes. We must stay away from corruption and extortion at any cost and work together to build a drug-free, corruption-free, terrorism-free and extortion-free society," she said.
Shama also said declaring Faridpur a division and upgrading its municipality to a city corporation were long-standing demands of the district's people.
She urged local business leaders to form a business platform for the proposed Faridpur division to help raise the concerns of entrepreneurs before the prime minister.
Highlighting the need for unity, she said people of all religions and political beliefs should work together for the district's development.
Leaders from different political parties, business organisations and civil society also addressed the programme.