London, 31 January 2019

President Md. Abdul Hamid has said the Bangalee nation needs to forge unwavering unity to build exploitation free ‘Sonar Bangla’ dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by uprooting terrorism, militancy, drug abuse and corruption from the society. The President said this while addressing the maiden session of the 11th Parliament held yesterday.The President in his address highlighted massive developments achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has welcomed the criticism of the government from the opposition in Jatiya Sangsad saying that it is crucial in democracy. The Prime Minister made the remarks in her address at the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday congratulating newly elected Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah of 11th Jatiya Sangsad. The Prime Minister requested the Speaker to look into that the treasury and opposition members get equal scope in Parliament.

Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has been elected Speaker of parliament for the third time with Md. Fazle Rabbi Miah her deputy by voice votes. Newly elected Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Speaker were sworn in by President Md. Abdul Hamid yesterday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on President Md. Abdul Hamid at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office last evening. Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and President’s wife Rashida Khanom were present on the occasion. The President greeted Sheikh Hasina for achieving absolute majority in Parliament and becoming Prime Minister for the fourth time. The President also congratulated Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on her being elected Speaker for the third consecutive term.

Jatiya Sangsad has adopted a condolence motion expressing profound grief at the demise of nine former MPs and some noted personalities including former Public Administration Minister and Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam. Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House yesterday.

Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury Liton was appointed the Chief Whip of the 11th parliament while six members of Parliament Atiur Rahman Atik, Iqbalur Rahim, Mahabub Ara Begum Gini, Panchanan Biswas , Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon and Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury were appointed as Whips. President Md. Abdul Hamid approved their appointments.

More world leaders have congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her assumption of office as the Prime Minister for the fourth time. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Azerbaijan Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov, Jordanian Premier Dr. Omar Al Razzaz and Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed in separate messages wished success of the new government in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the international community including Vietnam to keep up pressure on the Myanmar government to take back their forcibly displaced nationals from Bangladesh. The PM made the call when visiting Special Envoy of the Vietnamese Prime Minister and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dzung paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban yesterday.

Visiting Chief of Naval Staff of UAE Rear Admiral Pilot Saeed Bin Hamdan Al-Nahyan met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban yesterday. The Prime Minister while exchanging views said , ship building sector of Bangladesh is flourishing fast following various initiatives of the government.

Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has termed the report of Transparency International Bangladesh as flawed and politically motivated. The Minister at a press conference at his ministry yesterday said, the government rejected the report and hoped that the Anti-Corruption Commission would take necessary steps to this end.

Press Wing