Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all, particularly Bangladeshi expatriates living in different countries, to remain alert so that none can push the country backwards and turn it into an abode of anti-liberation forces.

"We’re taking Bangladesh towards prosperity. This advancement must go on. Stay alert so that none can push the country backwards and make it an abode of Rajakars," she said while addressing a reception accorded to her here on Friday night.

The Bangladeshi diaspora in Germany hosted the reception at Hotel Burgerhaus Garching.
The prime minister also asked all to remain alert to any conspiracy with the fate of the country’s people.

She reiterated her commitment to build Bangladesh as a secular state where people of every faith will enjoy equal rights. "We’ll materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous, developed and smart ‘Sonar Bangla’ with the spirit of the Liberation War and secularism," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she is committed to reach the fruit of the War of Liberation to every doorstep and not allow the victory against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 to go in vain.
"I never think of what I need; rather I think of what I can do for the betterment of the country and its people," she said, adding that her children also dedicated them to people’s welfare.

Describing Awami League as a pro-people party, the prime minister said the country’s people have got everything, including Bangla as the mother tongue and country's independence through the Language Movement and Liberation War respectively, under the leadership of the Father of the Nation.

"Awami League is the biggest strength of mine. We’ve been able to fight various disasters like the Covid-19 pandemic as we have the party (in power)," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said she has always tried to do something for the masses. “Whenever I get chance, I do work for the welfare of the people."
She said the people have faith and confidence in Awami League as they always find the party beside them in the time of their need.

Giving a brief description of the overall development of the country, the prime minister said they have made huge socio-economic development in Bangladesh.
"Our development goal is not only building mega establishments but also progressing at the grassroots," she said.

Sheikh Hasina termed BNP the party of looters, saying it does nothing for the wellbeing of the people; rather it makes their own fortunes.
She came down heavily on BNP, saying it did not take part in the 12th parliamentary elections fearing defeat as they torched vehicles and burned people to death. “The party which was formed by a military dictator always believes in agencies and they can do nothing without their help," she added.

The head of the government blamed BNP for destroying the electoral process by holding ‘yes-no’ vote and presidential election. "BNP snatched away the voting rights of the people and made the election farcical through manipulations," she said.

But Awami League has returned the balloting power to the people through long struggle, she added.
The prime minister said the last general election was the freest, fairest and most credible after 1975.

"If Awami League had not been voted to power this time, the massive development which has taken place in the last 15 years during the AL tenure since 2009 would
have been ruined. The looters (BNP) would have robbed everything," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also reiterated her call to Bangladeshi expatriates to send remittance through banking channels.
Mentioning that her government has been establishing 100 economic zones across the country, she asked them to invest in the economic zones with foreign partners.
The prime minister also asked the expatriates to prepare themselves as worthy so that they can serve themselves, their country and people.

She said her government has attached top priority to sending skilled manpower abroad. "We’ve been working with the target and we’re developing skilled manpower to this end," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government made Bangladesh digital and will transform it into a developed, prosperous and smart one by 2041 in line with AL’s election manifesto of 2024.