Awami League leaders and activists are eagerly awaiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first public rally in Cox's Bazar in nearly six years, scheduled to be held on Wednesday (Dec 7). Cox's Bazar is all set to welcome the AL chief amid festivity, expecting it as the biggest public rally ever. The PMwill deliver her speech at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar on Dec 7 organised by District Awami League. Awami League leaders said this at a press conference organised at the Stadium ground on Monday (December 5) afternoon. Read more: PM inaugurates, lays foundation stones of 35 projects in Chattogram Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, presidium member of Awami League, was the chief guest at the press conference organized on the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Cox's Bazar and the overall preparation of the district Awami League public meeting. During her day-long visit, the premier will attend an international naval exercise on Inani Beach of Cox's Bazar's Ukhia. The government has taken massive development schemes for Cox's Bazar which are now under implementation. During her visit, PM Hasina will also inaugurate 28 development projects and lay the foundation stones of four others. More projects may be added to the list of inaugurations and foundation stones, District Commissioner Md. Mamunur Rashid said. Colourful arches and gates have been constructed on various roads of the town with the posters and banners of the Prime Minister. Billboards, banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the Prime Minister and the party chief have been hung in the city. Read more: PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said a vested quarter continues misleading people by spreading various rumours, but there is nothing for the people to be misguided. “Today some words are being propagated in many ways and it will continue for many days. Many people can be misled. I would like to say there is nothing to be misguided,” she said. The premier was addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence Course-2022 and Armed Forces War Course-2022 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Mirpur Cantonment. Hasina said it is unfortunate for Bangladesh that when the country advances to economic progress amid a peaceful environment, all people don’t like it. Talking about the world economic crisis induced by the war and economic sanctions, she said her government has still been able to keep Bangladesh stable. “A quarter continues misleading the people through saying many things and injecting fear among the people,” she said. Read: No problem with movement, but don’t go for violence: PM Hasina warns BNP The PM said her government has been able to raise the reserve of foreign currencies to $ 48 billion during the Covid-19 period from only $ 5 billion in 2009. Then the money from the reserve was spent to procure Covid-19 vaccines and testing kits, food and others, she added.   She said her government’s goal is always to develop Bangladesh socio-economically. “We’ll continue to make socio-economic development of Bangladesh keeping its people free from terrorism, militancy, terrorism, drug and corruption. We don’t want war with anyone,” she added. Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman framed a foreign policy where he said friendship with all, malice towards none. “We’ve friendly relations with every country. We’re marching forward. Because, we don’t want war, rather we want peace. We witnessed the consequences of the war. If there is any problem, we solve it through negotiation,” she continued. In this context, she mentioned solutions to maritime disputes with neighbours in a peaceful way and implementation of land boundary agreement through discussions. Read: ‘Why did Bangladesh not see development in 29 years?’ – PM Hasina asks The PM stressed the need for attaining economic independence. “Unless we can attain economic self-reliance, we won’t be able to uphold our independence and its spirit. So, we’ve been working to accomplish the goal," she said. She said today Bangladesh has got the status of a developing country thanks to the continuation of an uninterrupted democratic trend and her government’s special attention paid to socio-economic development. She put emphasis on upholding the recognition of a developing nation. The PM said the Armed Forces stand always beside the people in any disaster and trouble. They earned public trust and confidence inside the country. The armed forces and police are getting acclamation from the United Nations for playing their roles efficiently in the peacekeeping missions in foreign lands, she added. The PM extended her sincere thanks to the armed forces for upholding the image of the country. She also congratulated the fresh NDC and AFWC graduates on their successful completion of their respective courses. Later, the prime minister attended the 19th joint governing body meeting of National Defence College (NDC) and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) as the president of the joint governing body of both institutions there.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said BNP does not want an election, rather it wants someone to take over after ousting the government — who would finally put the party in power. “They don’t want elections. They rather want something to come to power, ousting the government, which would install them in office — bringing them with ‘nagardola’ or ‘palki’. That is their expectation,” she said. The premier was addressing a huge public rally, arranged by Chattogram City Unit of Awami League at the Polo Ground in the port city. Sheikh Hasina, in her speech delivered from a 160ft boat-shaped stage, said BNP has two skills: vote-rigging and killing people. “They know if election is held, people would not vote for killers,” she said. Read more: PM inaugurates, lays foundation stones of 35 projects in Chattogram “They (BNP) don’t care about the people. If Awami League comes to power, we work for the people,” she added. Referring to the arson attacks unleashed in 2013-2015 by BNP, the PM said one day Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman will have to answer to the people as to why they burnt and killed so many. “People will take account of it one day,” she said. ‘December 10 a favourite date for BNP’ Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, criticised BNP for choosing December 10 as the date for their final divisional rally.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday inaugurated  29 development  projects and unveiled the foundation stones of six proposed projects in Chattogram. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of the projects ahead of joining a rally organised  by Awami League’s Chattogram North and South district units at the historical Railway Polo Ground  in the city. Read more: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday The total cost of the 35 projects is Tk 3,398.66 crore. Of them, Tk 1,897.61 crore was spent to implement the 29 projects, while the estimated cost of six other projects is some Tk 1501.05 crore. Read more: PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally Procurement of necessary equipment for different yards and terminals of Chittagong port, banks protection and flood control of the Halda River and Dhurang canal in Fatikchhari and Hathajari upazilas,  construction and extension of different school, college and madrasa buildings were among the projects. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived at the Polo Ground to address an enormous rally. This is her first public rally in Chattogram city after a gap of ten years. The port city has been gripped by enthusiasm and fanfare, as thousands of people were rushing towards the rally venue to see and hear the Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina. Chattogram City and North and South District AL organised the huge mass rally at the railway Polo Ground. It is Sheikh Hasina’s second appearance at a public gathering outside Dhaka, following the rally in Jashore on November 24 – after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak. The arrival of Sheikh Hasina has energized AL leaders and activists not only in Chattogram, but also the entire southern region. Read: AL rally in Ctg: Leaders, activists throng Polo Ground wearing colorful shirts Hundreds of thousands thronged the rally ground in Chattogram since early morning and within a few hours, the venue was packed to the brim. The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty spaces – turning into a human sea before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:05pm. Earlier, since morning, masses – men, women and AL supporters – were seen marching towards the venue in procession, shouting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, holding placards, banners, wearing colourful T-shirts and caps, beating drums, carrying the boat symbol as well as national and party flags. Women, in large and small groups, waited in queue at the entrance. Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Chattogram division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserved buses, pickup-trucks, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot. Read: Ctg ready to welcome PM; AL rally this afternoon Decorated arches and gates have been constructed on the roads with posters and banners of the Prime Minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the party chief in various areas of the city including Kazir Deuri, Halishahar, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat, Kadamtali, New Market, Anderkilla and other areas. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification work on the roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought cooperation from the World Heart Federation (WHF) to carry out basic research on medical science and to build skilled manpower in the health sector of the country. “Help us in conducting basic research on the medical science and give state-of-the-art training for the development of our manpower,” she said when WHF president-elect Dr Jagat Narula paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban. PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. Describing basic research as vital for the overall development of the country, Hasina said her government is laying greater importance on research on medical science for improving the healthcare sector. Referring to the research in the agriculture sector being carried out during her government, she said Bangladesh has attained food security by enhancing crops, milk, meat and fish production. “Research is mainly behind Bangladesh’s success in the agricultural sector, including attaining food security,” she was quoted. Focusing on the government’s measures for the health sector, the PM said her government’s main target is to reach healthcare services to the doorsteps. Read: PM gives directives to carry out different activities of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust She said her government has constructed 18,000 community clinics where 30 types of free medicines are available. The PM said her government has already established five medical universities in divisional headquarters as part of its plan to set up a medical university in every division to impart high education and research in medical science. She said many specialised hospitals have been built in public and private sectors at her government initiatives to treat heart, kidney and cancer patients, adding that they have a target to build specialised hospitals in every region. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has attained great success in the pharmaceutical sector as it is currently producing all the life-saving medicines and exporting them abroad. WHF President-elect Jagat Narula highly praised the health sector development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina, describing the advancement as “impressive progress.” He said Bangladesh has plenty of talented physicians who need appropriate training and assistance to boost their efficiency. “I am going to take over the charge of WHF in January next and have a target to work first with Bangladesh, India and Mongolia on heart diseases,” said the renowned cardiology specialist. Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday Dr Narula stressed the need for making aware the mothers about the non-communicable diseases as it helps to reach its benefit at grassroots quickly, At the meeting, it was informed that non-communicable diseases account for about 50 percent deaths in Bangladesh, of which heart diseases are responsible for 17 percent deaths. Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Professor Mir Jamal Uddin informed the meeting that the Prime Minister donated the institute Tk 7 crore from her relief and welfare fund to help procure valves, stents and pacemakers for poor and insolvent heart patients. As many as 300 Valves, 450 stents and 250 pacemakers have so far been set up in the hearts of the patients, he said. President of Bangladesh Society for Cardiovascular Intervention Prof Dr AKM Fazlur Rahman, National Professor Prof Brig. (retd) Abdul Malik, US expatriate Prof Chowdhury Hafiz Ahsan, Prof MG Azam and Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, PMO Senior Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate 30 projects and lay the foundation stones of four others in Chattogram on Sunday. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of the projects alongside joining a rally organised  by Awami League’s Chattogram North and South district units at the historical Railway Polo Ground  in the city. Earlier on March 28, 2012, PM Hasina had delivered a speech as the chief guest at a grand rally of the 14-party alliance at the same venue, which means she is returning to address a rally once again after 10 years. Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures tomorrow Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram District Administration and an Executive Magistrate, confirmed the matter. The 30 projects to be inaugurated include many newly built academic buildings of educational institutions, while the four projects the foundation stones of which will be laid are-construction of jetties and necessary infrastructures in Sandwip and Mirsarai, modernisation of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Anwara, construction of a United Nations Green Field with modern amenities at Panchlaish residential area of Chattogram city and construction of a building for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).   

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) central council has been moved to December 8 from December 6 as per Prime Minister and party president Sheikh Hasina’s instruction – to ensure that BNP can hold their Dhaka rally on December 10 without any difficulty. Obaidul Quader said this while addressing Pirojpur Awami League’s tri-annual conference today, joining virtually from his Dhaka residence. “The government will not obstruct BNP’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, but if they try to play with fire and sticks, they will get a befitting reply,” Quader said. Read more: No permission given to BNP yet to hold rally at Nayapaltan: Home Minister The minister and AL leader said that a Canadian federal court declared BNP as a “terrorist organisation”, as their politics is about arson attacks in the name of protests. “It is not so easy to turn a man – who fled to London after signing a bond with the condition that he will not be involved in politics – into a leader,” Quader said. Regarding BNP’s demand for a caretaker government, the AL general secretary questioned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul: “Which country of the world has a caretaker government? It was your leader who said that no one is neutral except children and those who are mad.” Read more: Amid relative ease, BNP’s 8th divisional rally begins in Cumilla He said the caretaker government is now “obsolete”. Quader also said all the hype about a “human sea” went silent after BNP’s Cumilla rally and they will see what’s what in the capital during the Dhaka rally of BNP.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday assured the people that there won’t be any crisis of consumer goods in the country. “There will be no problem regarding consumer goods. We’ve started importing (goods) from Ukraine and Russia as well,” she said. The premier was addressing the 5th National Conference of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), a pro-Awami League professional body of physicians, in the city’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan. She said though there is a problem over payment with dollars due to sanctions (on Russia), the government is taking steps for an alternative (payment) system. Read: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina Hasina said Bangladesh still has enough reserves to meet up the import expenditures for five months. “Still we’ve the reserves to meet the import expenditures of five months, not three months,” she said. Coming down heavily on the critics of the government on the reserves issue, she said now all have become experts on the reserve and economy. She said the reserves increased to some US$ 48 billion during the Covid-19 restrictions, which was only above US$ 5 billion in 2009. She said it had to spend huge money from the reserves to procure Covid-19 vaccines, testing kits and other related materials to fight the pandemic. Now the government needs to import edible oil, wheat and other consumer goods at high prices following the war and economic sanctions, she added. The PM said they’ve been taking proper steps to ensure consumer goods and stood beside the people. “The reserves have declined not only in our country but also in many countries of the world,” she said. Read: Keep wheels of economy running amid global crisis: PM urges industrialists Hasina said now a rumour is being spread that there is no money in banks and the clients would not get back their deposits. She said many people keep money in houses withdrawing it from the banks due to this rumour. “To keep money in the houses creates scope for thieves, doesn’t it?....Now it's upto the money owners whether they would keep it in the banks or give it to the hands of the thieves,” she added. The premier reiterated her call to the people not to leave even an inch of land uncultivated to ensure Bangladesh won’t need to import food items at higher price amid the global crisis. She said all should grow crops and vegetables in whatever lands they have. “We’ll not only fulfill our local demand, we’ll also have to help many countries with food items,” she added. No peaceful transfer of power except 2001: PM The PM said the AL government handed over power in a very peaceful manner in 2001, which is the only instance of peaceful change in power in the history of Bangladesh. She said that illegal takeover of power started in the country after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. “Then, there was no change in power through peaceful manner in Bangladesh except in 2001,” she said.  Hasina said Khaleda Zia had to step down on March 30, 1996 in face of the movement. “Then AL came into power through the election and we handed over the power peacefully in 2001. There is only one instance of peaceful transfer of power in the history of Bangladesh, which is only when AL was in power, she added. “We always want political stability and the continuation of democracy,” she said. The PM said AL formed the government, winning the 2008 election. “We’re in power for three consecutive terms. We can at least claim that Bangladesh has turned around and got the dignity of a developing country and it has been socio-economic uplift of the people of our country in the last 14 years,” she said. Focusing on her government’s success and steps over the country’s health sector,  Hasina said her government took huge programmes for the healthcare development. She said AL government established the first medical university-BSMMU- during its 1996-2001 term. But the pro-BNP physicians obstructed the move at that time. Noting that her government set up a medical university also in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet, she said they’re establishing a medical university in every division in phases and medical colleges in every district. She also highlighted the introduction of digital health services including telemedicine services and health call centre, lactating maternity allowance, setting up community clinics, increasing the beds and manpower of the government hospitals including physicians, nurses and health workers. She said Bangladesh has attained massive development in terms of nutrition during her government. “Our health policy is a pro-people one. As a result, the maternal and child mortality rates have declined. Our successes in the health sector are now internationally recognised,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government took steps to ensure the healthcare services for the people from all tiers of the society. The PM unveiled the name plaque of the permanent central office of Swachip through a virtual platform. AL general secretary Obaidul Qauder, Swachip President Dr M Iqbal Arslan and its general secretary MA Aziz also spoke at the function. The last Swachip national conference was held in November 2015.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Japan is ready to receive a Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to further deepen the relations between the two countries. "Bangladesh-Japan relations are very deep. It will further be deepened through the visit," he told reporters on Wednesday evening. Momen said Japan is keen to elevate the comprehensive relations to a strategic one. "We like each other." Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave for Tokyo on November 29. In a severe blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan's three cabinet members will leave in less than a month. Read more: Dhaka to work closely with Tokyo to take relations to a new height: FM Responding to a question on Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's recent polls-related comments, Momen said certainly someone briefed him this way as he said he heard this. He (ambassador) said this in a simple and plain way, Momen said. "He is a good friend of Bangladesh." Read more: Dhaka, Tokyo to elevate bilateral ties to ‘strategic partnership’