National

PM, new cabinet members pay homage to Liberation War martyrs

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War today on the occasion of installation of her government for the third consecutive term, reports BSS.

Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs by placing a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar this morning, a day after she took oath as the prime minister for the fourth time.

After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the independence of Bangladesh.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while bugle played the last post on the occasion.

Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League (AL) president, placed another wreath at the altar of the National Memorial as the party chief.

Advisers to the prime minister, Jatiya Sangsad chief whip, whips, AL parliament members and central leaders were also present on the occasion.

Later, Sheikh Hasina signed the visitors’ book kept on the National Memorial premises.

The prime minister and her new cabinet colleagues earlier paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the capital.

AL President Sheikh Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fourth time, the third in a row, with a 47-member council of ministers yesterday, a week after the Awami League-led Grand Alliance’s landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election held on December 30 last.

The new cabinet comprising 24 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers took oath at a state ceremony at Bangabhaban Darbar Hall yesterday afternoon.

President M Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and her new cabinet members.