Under the stewardship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is poised to navigate these challenges and continue its trajectory toward a brighter future
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, amidst global turmoil, leads Bangladesh with a firm hand, positioning the country favorably compared to many others worldwide. Bangladesh strides ahead under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, as affirmed by Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader.
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On Saturday (16th December), following a tribute to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar on Victory Day, Quader reiterated the nation’s progression.
“The Bangladesh forged through the immense sacrifices of the Liberation War is advancing under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s guidance,” stated Quader. He outlined the ongoing mission to craft a Smart Bangladesh following the era of Digital Bangladesh, emphasizing continuity in this trajectory of development.
Visionary Leadership Spurs Bangladesh’s Growth
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is dealing with everything with a strong hand despite the world crisis. Now Bangladesh is in a better position than many countries in the world. The government has taken initiative to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ based on higher economy, advanced technology and greater knowledge by the year 2041. This latest move is an obviously bigger and brighter step aimed at taking the country to the next level upon tasting success with regard to establishing ‘Digital Bangladesh.’ The journey of Bangladesh towards a technology-driven economy began in 2008 when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formulated the ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision as a manifesto ahead of parliamentary elections.
Allowing the country’s vision-driven progress, Obaidul Quader highlighted communalism and militancy as key hurdles obstructing prosperity. He pointedly addressed the challenges to democratic politics, citing opposing forces seeking not just to sow communal discord but to dismantle Bangladesh’s democratic fabric entirely.
“The commitment we make today is to confront and overcome these malevolent forces,” declared Obaidul Quader.
Awami League’s Achievements
- 7.25% GDP growth
- Per capita income surge from $543 to $2,824
- $87.56 billion infrastructure development
- Poverty reduction from 41.51% to 18.7%
- Nearly five-fold drop in extreme poverty
Achievements of Present Awami League Govt
The Bangladesh government, led by the Awami League, has charted an impressive path of progress across multiple sectors, positioning the nation for stability and growth. Economic metrics paint a vivid picture of this advancement, exemplified by a robust 7.25% GDP growth achieved by 2023, eclipsing the 5.40% growth under the prior BNP-Jamaat coalition. Per capita income reflects a remarkable five-fold surge, climbing from $543 in 2006 to $2,824 in 2023—a testament to effective economic stewardship.
Infrastructure and investment sectors have undergone substantial augmentation, with the development budget soaring to $87.56 billion by 2023, a twelve-fold increase. Concurrently, social enhancements and poverty-alleviation endeavors have yielded tangible results, significantly reducing the poverty rate from 41.51% in 2006 to 18.7% in 2023, accompanied by an almost five-fold decline in extreme poverty.
Strategic prioritization of health and education initiatives has resulted in marked improvements, evident in the increase in life expectancy from 59 to 72.8 years. Moreover, there’s a notable rise in the Human Development Index ranking from 154th to 129th, accompanied by enhanced access to safe water and sanitary facilities.
These milestones underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development, steering Bangladesh toward a more prosperous future despite enduring challenges. These achievements highlight the administration’s dedication to addressing concerns and fostering holistic progress for the nation and its people, solidifying their commitment to comprehensive national development.
Free, Fair and Impartial Elections
The government of Bangladesh is dedicated to holding free, fair, and impartial elections. Bangladesh has a long tradition of conducting democratic elections in a peaceful environment, and the citizens of Bangladesh are certain that this will continue with the upcoming 12th general election. The government has already taken steps to ensure that the election is free, fair and participatory, including by establishing an independent Election Commission, by appointing election commissioners based on a consultative procedure, by granting financial and administrative autonomy to the Election Commission, by inviting international observers in parliamentary election and by registering all eligible voters.
The recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) have fortified the Election Commission (EC), endowing it with augmented authority. Under these amendments, the EC possesses the prerogative to annul the voting outcomes at multiple affected centers upon uncovering irregularities post-voting through its investigative processes. Additionally, the EC now wields the power to halt the issuance of gazettes. These alterations signify a significant empowerment of the EC, granting it pivotal tools to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
Democratic Politics
The evil forces, who are opposing the election in the country, want to destroy democratic politics, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
Recent clashes on Oct 28 between law enforcement and BNP supporters at Naya Paltan led to a policeman’s death and injuries to several, including journalists. The violence extended to a police hospital and the chief justice’s residence. Fleeing activists set numerous vehicles ablaze, portraying anarchy under the guise of democratic protest.
The ongoing efforts of BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami seek to hinder Bangladesh’s growth during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s successful fifteen-year tenure. These parties persistently aim to obstruct the country’s remarkable progress.
