Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq Friday said they have scaled up security ahead of the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) in the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital Saturday. He, however, dismissed any security threat surrounding the council which is likely to see the participation of "more than one lakh leaders and activists" of the ruling party. The DMP commissioner was speaking with the media after visiting the Suhrawardy Udyan Friday. Read more: 22nd Nat'l Council: AL to focus on “smart” leadership aligned with Smart Bangladesh goal The security arrangements in the area were made keeping Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in mind, he said. "The prime minister survived many attempts on her life in the past. So, we have beefed up security and vigilance this time," Golam Faruq added. About the escape of two convicted militants from a Dhaka court on November 20, he said: "They will be arrested soon. We have been able to identify their associates already. We will arrest the rest of them soon." "There is no terrorist threat (in the country now)," the DMP commissioner added.

Awami League is focusing on youth and “smart” leadership – with the determination to achieve its ‘Smart Bangladesh’ goal – by confronting conspiracies at home and abroad. Some senior leaders said the 22nd National Council of Awami League is going to present a smart, organised and acceptable leadership to face the imminent challenges. Awami League will hold its National Council at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on December 24. Read more: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina  The main theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”. According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping in mind the global recession, the party has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme. The budget of the 21st AL National Council was Tk 3.43 crore while the budget for this year’s council is a reduced Tk 3.13 crore. About 7,000 councillors and lakhs of delegates will participate in this year’s National Council. The party started distributing councillor and delegate cards from Wednesday. The first session will begin on December 24 at 10:30 am. Leaders and activists will come to Suhrawardy Udyan early in the morning. There will be a break for lunch and prayers. Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024. Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League. Read more: Awami League never wasted a single taka of Bangladesh’s money: PM Besides, the leaders will also work to highlight the development and achievements of the government to the countrymen. Awami League intends to go for leaders from among honest, courageous, idealistic and tested activists. Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a member of the presidium of the party, said that this council is committed to ensuring a smart Bangladesh by 2041. Among the former leaders of Chhatra League, those who have demonstrated maturity in politics and are loyal to the party can be chosen. He also said the party will give efforts to fulfil the quota of women in leadership. Saying that Awami League is a “smart party”, Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the ruling party is always “the first to think what needs to be done to advance the nation.” “Awami League has established Digital Bangladesh. Now, it will also ensure Smart Bangladesh. Our country lagged behind for decades during the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but now we are not behind in the fourth industrial revolution under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” he also said. Read more: Awami League is fighting to institutionalise democracy: Quader Joint General Secretary of Awami League, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, said that the 12th national election will be held after one year. “Awami League will have a strong leadership, consisting the young and elderly, who can work for the party along with Sheikh Hasina to build a smart Bangladesh,” he said. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB that every council brings new faces to lead the party. This trend will continue in this council as well, he said. Ahead of the 22nd National Council of Awami League, the last executive meeting of the current committee will be held today at 6 pm at Ganabhaban, the official residence of party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Obaidul Quader requested the invited members of the central executive committee of Awami League to attend the meeting in accordance with the health protection rules. A spectacular stage is being built in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. This will include the development and progress of the current government. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide. There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councillors. The gates will be opened for councillors and delegates from 7 am.