Bangladesh News

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought cooperation from the media in strengthening the foundation of democracy and ensuring its uninterrupted run.

The present government’s main aim is to achieve people’s economic emancipation through democracy without which country’s “smooth and sustainable development is not possible,” she said at a meeting with the chiefs and editors of the country’s national dailies and electronic media at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“Before the nation, we have put forward a specific vision of building up a modern and prosperous Bangladesh by 2021. But without democracy smooth and sustainable development is not possible. Media can ensure uninterrupted flow of democracy,” she said.

As the media personalities greeted the PM on the Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance’s landside victory at the December 29 polls, Hasina said the massive win has put on the government’s shoulders a substantial responsibility to work for the people.

“But, unfortunately, whenever AL comes to power, it gets the country in a problem-ridden condition. In 1996, there were severe crisis of food, energy, power and water. But we had turned Bangladesh into a food-sufficient country and electricity generation had also been increased significantly,” she said.

But later the advancement halted and that is why people have to suffer again from scarcity of food, water and electricity, Hasina deplored.

When the media men appreciated the prime minister and the government for reducing the prices of various essentials, including rice, just after assuming power, she said the government has taken different measures to ensure smooth supply of electricity and water.

“People will start to get the benefit soon,” she added.

Hasina invited constructive criticism from the media to keep the country on right track of development, reiterating that the government believes in free flow of information and freedom of the media.

The media chiefs thanked the PM for the government’s initiatives to enact the Right to Information Act and for forming seven parliamentary standing committees with MPs from other political parties as chairmen.

They said such works will expedite the country’s development and strengthen the parliamentary democracy.

The PM was also hailed by the media men for regularly arranging cabinet meetings at Bangladesh Secretariat, as they said such practice will create mobility and dynamism in the whole administrative process.

They suggested the PM to keep balance and coordination between the works and powers of members of parliament (MPs) and upazila chairmen for overall development of the country.

The media personalities placed various proposals before the prime minister for expediting development of the country. They suggested dredging the rivers surrounding the capital to increase its navigability and thus saving the city from severe environmental pollution.

Hasina informed them that already the government has taken a project to dredge the major rivers of the country.

They also requested her to take necessary steps to ease the cities’ traffic congestions.

When the recent Pilkhana carnage came up for discussion, the prime minister said, “Such an incident of killings is a threat to country’s sovereignty and independence.”

Sheikh Hasina was highly praised for the way she handled the situation and restored peace in the country within the shortest possible time after the BDR crisis.

The media chiefs and editors unanimously noted that the wisdom and farsightedness shown by the PM in tackling the crisis is rare in the world.

They condoled the death of the army officers and civilians in the BDR killings and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Ittefaq editor Rahat Khan, Editor-in-Chief of UNB Enayetullah Khan, Samakal Editor Mujammel Hossain, Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam, Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Today Editor Col. (retd) Mahmud-ur-Rahman, News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Janata Editor Mahitul Islam, Naya Diganta Editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, Amar Desh’s Acting Editor Ataus Samad, Manabjamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Sangbad Editor Altamash Kabir, BTV Director General Abu Jafar Siddiqui, ATN Bangla’s Chief Adviser Saiful Bari, Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar and Ekushey TV Chairman Abdus Salam were among others present.

Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, PMO Secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Deputy Press Secretaries Mahbubul Hoque Shakil and Nakib Uddin Ahmed were present.