We want to give democracy a solid base

PM tells Pak envoy

4 April 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government is working hard to provide a strong base for democracy in the country, which was established through free and fair elections on December 29 in 2008. “We got democracy through a free, fair, credible and acceptable election, and we want to establish it properly,” she said when Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Ashraf Qureshi called on her at the Prime Minister's Office. The PM said it is not possible to do any real welfare for the people of the country without democracy. “It was the people who suffered most in absence of democracy.” She said her government is working hard to provide a strong base for democracy in the country. Mentioning that poverty is the main enemy of the South Asian region, Hasina emphasised collective efforts to eradicate poverty from the region. She stressed the need for exchanging parliamentary and business delegations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, who was present at the meeting, later briefed the reporters. Qureshi praised Sheikh Hasina for her visionary leadership. He mentioned that the 'Vision 2021' and 'Digital Bangladesh' of Awami League were both excellent and these could greatly advance Bangladesh towards more development. The envoy emphasised united efforts of the member countries to eradicate poverty from the region. They also had discussion on various bilateral issues of common interest and the upcoming Saarc summit.