Sangsad Bhaban: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesdayreiterated that Bangladesh does not want war with anyone as its works for peace.

‘We want peace, not war with anyone,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking in Parliament taking part in the thanksgiving motion on President’s speech, reports the UNB.

But, Sheikh Hasina said, her government has takenmeasuresto modernise the Armed Forces to give a befitting reply if anyone attacks Bangladesh.

Hasina, also the Leader of the House, said the government is implementing the Forces Goal 2030 after formulating it following the footprint of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She said the government is turning the Navy as a three-dimensional force and procuring all modern equipment for the Army and Air Force.

She said the government has taken steps to procure modern warships, MIG 29, Frigate, tanks and other modern equipment for the Armed Forces.

Terming Rohingya influx a big problem for Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said the country have given shelter to them on humanitarian ground.

She said Bangladesh already had dialogue with Myanmar and signed an agreement over their repatriation.

She mentioned that some 10,78,966 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh from Myanmar and Bangladesh provided them with ID cards. ‘Myanmar can’t deny (these Rohingyas are not their citizens).’

Hasina criticised Myanmar for its inhuman attitude towards Rohingya people. ‘What the Myanmar government did to them is never acceptable.’

The Prime Minister said the government has already started building temporary shelters for the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar. ‘They’ll be living there in good condition until their repatriation.’

Talking about the recent spread of militancy, terrorism and drug abuse, Hasina said these are not the problems of Bangladesh alone as these are global problems. ‘‘But, we have to protect the country from militancy, terrorism and drugs. We’ve already been able to contain militancy with iron hand.’

The Leader of the House urged all, including parents, teachers, imams, and other religious leaders, to remain aware always so that no one could get involved in these social menaces.

She urged parents to create an environment at their homes so that their children could share anything with them frankly.

Hasina said Islam is the religion of peace and it never permits militancy and terrorism. ‘Islam never allows anyone to kill innocent people in the name of religion.’

In her 55-minute speech, the Prime Minister elaborately described various development activities of the government that upgraded the country’s socio-economic status.

She said Bangladesh has already earned the lower-middle income status and will be in the middle-income group by 2021.

She also said Bangladesh will be a developing country very soon and will be the developed one by 2041.