Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (July 31, 2024) likened the recent violence in the country as ‘almost a terrorist attack’ aimed at creating a situation like what had happened in Sri Lanka to oust her government.“It was not a movement at all, and at one stage it almost into a terrorist attack,” she said while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. Lives lost during the anti-quota violence will never come back: PM HasinaPM’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed reporters after the call on.He quoted the PM as telling the envoy said that the anarchists actually tried to create a situation like what had happened in Sri Lanka to topple her government.“Actually they (the anarchists) have planned to create Sri Lanka type violence and oust the government,” she said. PM Hasina visits Suhrawardy Hospital to check on violence victims Hasina expressed sorrow for the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the carnage centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public services.Indian HC Verma expressed condolence for the loss of lives during the recent violence.He welcomed the normalcy that steadily is being restored, and the gradual resumption of economic activities in Bangladesh, according to the press secretary. Govt to take foreign technical assistance for judicial probe committee: PMVerma said that Bangladesh is the closest neighbour of India. It always gives support to the Bangladesh government and its people for implementation of Dhaka’s Vision of a progressive and prosperous country.He said that the successful visit of PM Hasina to India produced substantive outcomes, consolidated the past achievements and created a blue print for the future cooperation.“And based on the two countries national development visions, Vision 2041 for Bangladesh and Vision 2047 India, both countries entered into a new era of cooperation,” he said.In this cooperation there will be digital, green, joint development of satellite and new areas of cooperation like blue economy, oceanography and fintech.“That means future oriented partnership is based on our people’s shared aspirations for the future,” Verma said. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin were present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (May 27, 2024) extended an invitation to US business leaders to explore business opportunities in Bangladesh and partner with the country in its journey towards becoming a developed, prosperous, and smart nation by 2041. “I invite you to invest in our many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment, among others,” she said. The Prime Minister said this during her opening speech at a meeting with the US-Bangladesh Business Council at her official residence, Ganabhaban. She expressed optimism that economic engagement through the US-Bangladesh Business Council would deepen in the coming days. “The United States will become our long-term partner in achieving our development goals through trade, investment, technology transfer, and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits,” she added. While briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam said that Sheikh Hasina informed members of US-Bangladesh Business Council that with her personal initiative after forming the government in 1996, US investment in Bangladesh increased manifold. PM urges JICA to allow farmers to use wastage of sea water in the desalination project at Matarbari Nazrul Islam said that the US investors expressed high expectations regarding their investments in Bangladesh. “But they pointed out some challenges which needed to be addressed for more investments in Bangladesh,” he said. US-Bangladesh Business Council Chairman Steven Kobos delivered the welcome speech while the Council President Ambassador (retd) Atul Keshap gave the vote of thanks. Sheikh Hasina hoped that the US-Bangladesh Business Council would continue to play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries. “Our focus is now on promoting economic and commercial relations with not only regional but also global partners, including the United States,” she said. PM urges multilateral dev banks to set viable debt management plan for vulnerable countries Highlighting the government’s accomplishments over the last 15 years, she mentioned several mega-infrastructure projects such as the Padma Bridge, metro rail in Dhaka, the Karnaphuli River tunnel, expressway, a modern international airport in Dhaka, and power plants. “Legal and financial infrastructures are also being enhanced. These have heightened our domestic and regional connectivity,” she noted. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned the establishment of 100 special economic zones (SEZs) and 28 hi-tech parks, some of which are already operational. “Particularly in the IT sector, with over a million freelancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is the right destination for IT investments. Moreover, the availability of a young, skilled, and vibrant workforce at a competitive wage is a huge advantage.” She emphasized that Bangladesh has the most liberal investment policy in the region and is prioritizing improvements to the investment environment. Sheikh Hasina also highlighted Bangladesh’s upcoming transition from a "least developed" to a "developing" country in 2026. “We aspire to become a ‘Smart Nation’ by 2041. Here, we need your support in increasing our global competitiveness and expanding our export base.” Bangladesh to launch US roadshow with 30 banks’ MDs to advertise offshore services She noted that Bangladesh is globally acknowledged as a “role model of socio-economic development,” attributing this to good governance, rule of law, stability, investment in the rural economy, empowerment of women, and ICT advancements that led to Digital Bangladesh. The Prime Minister acknowledged the United States as a major economic and development partner for decades, with intensive engagements in many areas, particularly trade and investment. “Our shared aim is to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity for our people. This is manifested in our growing bilateral trade and people-to-people interaction,” she said. She added that the United States is currently the largest single-country destination for Bangladeshi exports, the largest source of foreign direct investment, and an important source of knowledge and technology. PM’s Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin were present at the meeting. Read more: Australian FM's Visit: Trade, investment, Rohingya, regional security to get priority

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (October 16, 2023) asked the officials concerned to make sure that developments projects don’t impede the free flow of  water bodies, including rivers and canals. “We have to ensure the uninterrupted flow of rivers. Keeping that in mind, we have to carry out our projects and development activities,” she said. The prime minister said this while inaugurating various projects under the ministries of water resources and health. She joined the programme from her official residence, Ganabhaban, through video link. She said that in the name of development it is often seen that all water bodies are filled up. “I think that this is very fulsome. All have to take step to save the water resources whenever any project is taken up or implemented,” she stressed. Hasina also put importance on preserving water during the monsoon season. She put emphasis on continuous capital dredging and maintenance dredging whichever is needed for the water bodies. Read more: Bangladesh is a role model to least development countries: Shahab Uddin The PM also said that the natural flow of the rivers, canals, beels (lake-like wetland) and other water bodies must not be hindered during implementation of any development project. She asked the relevant authorities to ensure having at least one water reservoir in every development project. Mentioning water as the biggest resource for the country, she said that all water bodies must have to be protected. “The nature will flow by its own course, and we have to take steps to save our resources going with that flow,” she said. Read more: Development should prioritise environmental protection over environmental damage: Dr Hossain Zillur Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and State Minister for Water Resources Ministry Zaheed Farooque also spoke at the programme.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (August 06, 2023) asked her Awami League party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming national election. “All have to work unitedly to ensure the win of the Awami League-nominated candidates in the next election,” she said while delivering concluding remarks at the special extended meeting of Bangladesh Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban. In reply to the call of their party chief, all the leaders attending the meeting raised their hands and expressed their commitment to do so accordingly. Read: Mass people are our only masters, no one else: PM Hasina tells AL special meet Issuing directives to all Awami League leaders and activists to prepare themselves for the upcoming national election, Hasina said “Our only strength is the people.” Noting that the upcoming national elections are very important, she urged her party members to highlight and present to the people the development works  that have been implemented in every area during the last 14 years and a half of the Awami League rule. “All these developments in Bangladesh have been possible because Awami League has been in power," she said. Read: PMO for increasing leather export to $5 billion within four years Criticizing the activities of BNP and its leaders, the Awami League President said that the birth of BNP had been an outright sin. “The birth of the BNP had happened through the illegal seizure of power, through the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and through terrorism," she asserted. She mentioned that since the Awami League formed the government in 2009, BNP has carried out arson violence, killed people, staged blockade programmes, and committed many other misdeeds. “But, no movement can harm the country and the people as Awami League is a strong organisation and we are accepted by the people.” Read: PM Hasina urges private sector to patronize sports and culture Rather, they (BNP) are gradually being questioned by people, she added. Hasina called upon all to be vigilant against rumours and misinformation, saying Awami League never bow to anyone.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (August 06, 2023) said that the ruling Awami League has no other masters other than the mass people of the country. “The people are our masters and we are accountable to the people only,” she said in categorical terms while delivering her introductory speech at the special extended meeting of the Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban. She also said that her party Awami League works for the welfare of the people. The president of the Awami League asked leaders and workers of her party to highlight the achievements in the last 14 and half years to the grassroots. Read more: No CCTV cameras in 12th national election At the same time, she also directed them to strengthen the organisation as the next general election is approaching, saying they will have to earn the trust and confidence of the common people. Around 5,000 party leaders and elected public representatives from the AL took part in the meeting. The prime minister said, the country is witnessing massive development and fate of the people is changing as the Awami League has been in the power since 2009 after receiving mandate of the people. She said that Bangladesh has attained the status of a "developing nation" as a result of the Awami League being in power. Read more: Shariatpur ASP's unconditional apology rejected “Awami League has worked with a long-term plan for it,” she said. She mentioned that Bangladesh’s journey as a developing nation will begin in 2026. “I would like to tell the people of the country whether or not you want Bangladesh to move forward with the status of a developing country.” She also directed the leaders and activities of Awami League to ask the people regarding the journey of the developing nation of Bangladesh, as they (the people) are the owners of their votes. Read more: Five member AL delegation leaves for India at BJP's invitation She said that If the people want Bangladesh to move forward with the status of a developing nation and to be established, then they should vote for Awami League’s electoral symbol, boat. "And it (implementation of a developing nation) will be possible if AL gets votes, and no one else can do it," she asserted. Hasina said Awami League is working to change the fate of people of all professions, including blacksmiths, potters, weavers, and fishers. “We promise to work for everyone. Awami League has worked for every person; no one else has ever thought or acted for people before,” she said. Read more: Go all out for the victory of AL-nominated candidates in upcoming national election: PM Hasina asks party members PM Hasina asked her party leaders and activists to convey these messages to the people and strengthen the organisation at the same time. “We will build the Golden Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she declared. She requested the party leaders and activists to go to the grassroot people including beneficiaries of Asrayan projects, and other allowances. The Prime Minister said that opposition BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tareque Zia are all murderers and the country and its people are not safe in their hands. She also called BNP’s founding leader Ziaur Rahman a murderer. Read more: ‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’ “Those who are robbers, corrupts, and murderers; actually Khaleda Zia and Tareque Zia are all murderers. So was Ziaur Rahman,” she observed. She requested the leaders and activists of Awami League and associate organisations to highlight to the people all the development works that have been made by her government after assuming power. She said that people usually forget past pain and grief while they are in good condition. “In Rangpur Monga ( a seasonal food shortage) was a common phenomenon in the past. It disappeared after the Awami League came to power. There is no famine. The reason is that AL is an organisation founded by the Father of the Nation.” Read more: BNP a ‘horrible blister’ in Bangladesh’s politics: Quader At the outset of the meeting, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also spoke, while Barrister Biplab Barua placed a condolence motion. Members of AL central committee, central working committee, advisory council, presidents and general secretaries of district, metropolitan, upazila and municipality units of AL, members of parliament, district and upazila parishad chairmen, city corporation and municipality mayors, presidents and general secretaries of AL associate organisations were present at the meeting. Before every national election, the AL organises such meetings to give guidelines to the party leaders. Last such meeting was held on June 23, 2017 ahead of the 2018 parliamentary polls. The next general election in the country is due in next December or first week of January. Read more: BNP in some cases deadlier than dengue: Information Minister The Awami League has been in power since 2009 after winning three consecutive national elections.

Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair had a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday morning at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, while briefing reporters, said that during the meeting the former British Prime Minister apprised Sheikh Hasina of the activities of his Institute. PM Hasina appreciated the Tony Blair Institute’s mission to equip leaders and governments for the global future. She recalled her various meeting with Tony Blair while he was the Prime Minister of Britain. Karim said that both reviewed Bangladesh-UK relations. Read more: Sunak marks 100 days as UK prime minister as problems mount They also talked about sports, particularly cricket, as the England cricket team is touring Bangladesh right now. Principal secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson were present during the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning released a special commemorative postage stamp, an opening day cover and a data card on the occasion of great Victory Day,2022. She unveiled the commemorative postage stamp of Taka 10, the opening day cover and the data card at a ceremony at her official residence Ganabhaban here. Read more: PM releases postage stamp marking historic March 7 A special canceller was used on the occasion, PM’s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas said. PM’s Principal Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman and Director General of Directorate of Posts Md Harunur Rashid were present on the occasion. The postage stamp, first-day cover and data card will be sold from Philatelic Bureau of Dhaka GPO and will also be available at other GPOs and head post offices across the country later.      

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (November 12, 2022) categorically said Awami League has never wasted the country’s, rather it uses every taka in people’s interest, for their well-being, and considering their brighter future. She said this while inaugurating the construction work of Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway — aimed to facilitate fast entry and exit of vehicles to and from the capital. She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Sheikh Hasina said that no one has gone away, taking money from country’s forex reserve. Also read: PM inaugurates construction of Tk 17,553cr Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway “This fear is always in their (BNP’s) mind. BNP will say this. The reason behind this is that their leader Tarique Zia has been convicted for seven years and fined Tk 20 crore in money laundering case. He is now an absconding criminal,” she said. She also said that BNP is habituated with money laundering while they always think it is normal to take away money from the country. The Prime Minister said that the government is investing from the country’s forex reserve, as if it takes loans from other countries’ banks, it has to repay that dollar with interest. “If we use our own dollars through Sonali Bank, that money remains in our country. Keeping that in our mind we have given USD 8 billion,” she said. Also read: 2nd day of toll collection: Traffic jam eases on Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway She mentioned that Bangladesh has given some dollars to Sri Lanks as loan while they were in deep economic crisis. The Prime Minister said that BNP often questions about the money in the forex reserve. “They are trying to spread propaganda across the country regarding the reduced reserve amount,” she said. In this regard, she said that when BNP was in power, the forex reserve was only USD 2.9 billion, and during 2001-2008, it was increased to USD 5 billion only. Read More: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project delayed by Russia-Ukraine War: Yeafesh Osman “From that position we were able to raise that up to about USD 48 billion. It was increased during coronavirus pandemic when communication, transport, import and everything was almost stopped,” she said. But, she mentioned, when the world started opening up, import increased, especially the inflation and recession due to the coronavirus and Ukraine-Russia war created a blow over the economy worldwide and Bangladesh is also affected due to that. “We are paying our import expenditure from reserve money, besides we have given vaccines free of cost and arranged coronavirus tests free of cost. Developed countries across the globe did not do this vaccination and testing free of cost. We have procured vaccines by giving cash. After that, we got vaccines as grants,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said that food prices, transportation cost, fuel price, edible oil, wheat price, lentil price and corn price also have increased around the world. Read More: No megaprojects now but no compromise on welfare-oriented ones: PM “We are importing those. We are producing rice and other food items, apart of those we have to import some other items. We had to import some items while we were affected in flood and cyclone,” she said. The Prime Minister said that what the government is spending is just for the people of the country and their welfare. “For procuring food for them, procuring medicines for cancer, fertiliser, fuel and electricity. We are procuring those with cash money.” She also said that Bangladesh has procured aircraft and doing river dredging with reverse money. Read More: People will talk but Bangladesh is benefitting from AL govt's dev work: PM Regarding the apprehension of scarcity of food in the coming days, she again requested all to utilise every inch of land for food production to avert any kind of food related crisis. “Briefly describing various positive impacts of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, the Prime Minister asked the concerned authorities to complete the project quickly. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming And Bridges Division Secretary Md. Monjur Hossain also spoke at the programme. A video documentary on the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway was screened. Read More: PM Hasina credits long stay in power for country’s development

Two recent photographs of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in more candid moments than people are used to seeing her, have gone viral on Facebook.