Bangladesh to do everything to fight terrorism, militancy: PM

Reiterating her government’s firm stance against terrorism and militancy, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday categorically said that Bangladesh would do everything necessary to fight the twin social monsters.
She said Bangladesh has always played a strong role in rooting out terrorism and militancy and adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against the twin demons. ‘We have taken a decision that we won’t give shelter to terrorism and militancy anyway,’ she said.
The leader of the House came up with this assertion while replying to a supplementary question raised by treasury bench member Md Shahiduzzaman Sarkar (Naogaon-2) during her question hour in the House, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
‘I have already told the Saudi King, other Muslim countries and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) about our resolute stance against terrorism and militancy … we’re firm to check recurrence of such incidents that are happening,’ she said.
Describing Islam again as the religion of peace, the leader of the House said her government’s strides to take Islam to the peak would continue.
The prime minister said Bangladesh has joined the Saudi-led Islamic alliance against terrorism and militancy along with 40 Muslim countries. ‘An opportunity has been created for the entire Muslim Ummah to work against the twin demons,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said she always calls upon the Muslims to be united and put up a resistance against terrorism and militancy. ‘Whenever I went to the OIC, I raises this issue every time,’ she said.
While talking about her recent official visit to Saudi Arabia, the prime minister said this tour has taken the Saudi-Bangladesh ties to a new dimension.
Pointing out her fruitful talks with the Saudi King during the visit, the prime minister said the King thanked her for joining the Islamic Alliance to combat terrorism and militancy.
‘During the meeting, I have raised the issue on successful implementation of the ‘zero tolerance’ policy to fight terrorism. I told the King that Bangladesh would send troops if needed to protect the two holy mosques,’ she said.
Commenting on her recent tour to Bulgaria, where she attended the Global Women Leader’s Forum, the prime minister said the visit has added a new chapter in the existing relations between the two countries.
‘This visit has further brightened the image of Bangladesh in the world arena, particularly in Europe,’ she said adding that the bilateral relations between the two countries have also been more widened, evident and consolidated by this tour.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net