BD will cooperate with Saudi to counter terrorism: PM

Pointing out that at least 40 countries in the world are now working to eradicate the terrorism and militancy globally, Prime Minster on Wednesday said Bangladesh would cooperate with the Saudi Arabia to counter terrorism.

She said, ‘We will remain with Saudi Arabia all time with Saudi-led coalition on this issue.’

The PM came up with these remarks while she was addressing a press conference at Gono Bhaban, her official residence, on return of her visit of Saudi Arabia on the invitation of King Faisal.

She also said, ‘Bangladesh is not going to sever diplomatic relations with Pakistan for its support for war criminals being tried in Bangladesh.’

‘Diplomatic relations would be there. But we don’t accept such comments,’ the PM said while replying to a reporter’s query whether the country would cut ties or maintain ‘limited relations’ with Pakistan for issuing statements in favor of Jamaat-e-Islami war criminals.

Pakistan’s role now proves it again that these elements work as its agents. It is clear that they don’t want Independence of Bangladesh and were involved in genocide during the 1971 Liberation War, she said.

National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCA), talking about secret killings, the PM urged the people to come forward to resist secret killings being carried out throughout the country.

When asked to comment on deaths in violence during the recently-ended Union Parishad polls, PM Hasina said violence during elections in the country is not a new phenomenon.

Terming the election violence unacceptable, she said her government would take steps against it, ‘We don’t want to see recurrence of such incidents in the future.’