PM calls for combating terrorism collectively

Describing terrorism as a global phenomenon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for combating this social vice collectively.

"We have to fight terrorism together to ensure peace in the world," she told visiting German parliament members Hans Peter Uhl and Thorsten Frei who called on the PM at her Jatiya Sangsad Office here this evening.

After the meeting, PM`s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Reiterating her government`s "zero tolerance policy" against terrorism and militancy, the prime minister spelled out her government`s various steps to stamp out the twin demons.

She said the government has been conducting campaign to create mass awareness against terrorism and militancy.

"We are directly contacting with the people of all sections including guardians, teachers, students, religious leaders and public representatives and talking to them to create awareness against terrorism and militancy," she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said the government is getting "good response" from the people and they (people) are wholeheartedly cooperating the law enforcement agencies to clamp down on terrorism and militancy.

The prime mentioned she will visit German city of Munich this month to attend an international security conference. In the present global context, the conference is very important, she said.

The prime minister also highlighted her government`s steps for development of the country. "We want to develop the country in a faster pace and for this we need investment," she said.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina sought more German investment in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said her government`s main aim is to ensure basic needs of people including food, clothing, housing and healthcare.

Terming poverty as the main barrier to development, she described her government`s strides for alleviating poverty.

"Extreme poverty rate has been brought down to 12 percent and we are planning to reduce it further," she said.

Pointing out that the country`s economy is improving, she said Bangladesh achieved 7.1 percent GDP in the last fiscal year.

At the outset of the meeting, the premier welcomed the German MPs in Bangladesh and recalled that Germany was the first European country which recognised Bangladesh as an independent country.

The German lawmakers termed the Munich security conference as very important in the present global context, through which "we can share knowledge in combating terrorism."

They also described the migration as a big problem for the present world.

The two German MPs also highly appreciated Bangladesh`s socioeconomic development under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

PM`s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Senior Secretary of the Prime Minister`s Office Suraiya Begum and German Ambassador in Dhaka Dr. Thomas Prinz were present at the meeting.

Source: BSS