UNB, Rome :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the trial of those involved in corruption, terrorism and militancy must be held as the government wants to build a peaceful environment in the country.
“I want to tell you just one thing that those who will indulge in corruption, terrorism and militancy must face trial,” she said. The Prime Minister was speaking at a reception accorded to her by the Italy unit of Awami League at Parco Dei Principi Grand hotel here on Tuesday with its president haji M Idris Farazi in the chair.
She said the government wants to develop the country with changing the fate of people.
“This will be possible only when we we’ll be able to check and eradicate corruption, militancy and nepotism,” the PM said adding that the prime goal of her government is to develop Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina said she and her party is there in power to change the fate of people, not to indulge in corruption. Recalling the illegal capture of power by Ziaur Rahman, she said those who had grabbed power illegally cannot give anything to the nation. “I’m the daughter of the Father of the Nation, and pursue the politics. Why should we indulge in corruption luxury?” she said. About the recent verdict in a case where BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted along with others, Hasina said the case was filed by Khaleda Zia’s favourite people Moeen Uddin, Fakhruddin and Iajuddin. “Awami League didn’t lodge the case.” She said BNP people are questioning the justification of giving the punishment just for only Tk two crore, and there some intellectuals too who are supporting this argument. “That means there’ll be a ceiling of amount of money to commit corruption which will be legal. Are they trying to mean that?” she questioned. Hasina suggested BNP to file a writ petition with the higher court saying that they can commit corruption up to this level. “Being a former prime minister, Khaleda Zia whitened black money. Where that money came from, anyway?” she said.
The Prime Minister said, whenever BNP comes to power it turns the country into a den of corruption. The Prime Minister said the last caretaker government assumed office and declared emergency following the misdeeds of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government. “The BNP unleashed terrorism and militancy, committed corruption and created ‘Bangla Bhai’ in such a situation, we saw the emergency.” She said the graft case was filed in 2007. “Its trial proceedings started the following year and continued for 10 years. The hearing was held on 236 days. But Khaleda Zia appeared before the court for only 40 days.” The Awami League president said the court was changed thrice for the BNP leader’s objection and she filed writs for 22/24 times. “When the court punished Khaleda Zia despite her attempts to delay the trial, BNP is arguing what was the necessity to punish her for such a small amount of money.” Hasina said the money embezzled by Khaleda Zia and others was brought for an orphanage. “But it went to their personal funds instead of orphans.”
Regarding the corruption cases filed against her in the past, the Prime Minister said the investigation of every case was carried out and its report was submitted. “I had said investigation would have to be conducted and the report on every case will have submitted … we wanted to see that what the merit of the case is,” she said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the trial of those involved in corruption, terrorism and militancy must be held as the government wants to build a peaceful environment in the country.
“I want to tell you just one thing that those who will indulge in corruption, terrorism and militancy must face trial,” she said. The Prime Minister was speaking at a reception accorded to her by the Italy unit of Awami League at Parco Dei Principi Grand hotel here on Tuesday with its president haji M Idris Farazi in the chair.
She said the government wants to develop the country with changing the fate of people.
“This will be possible only when we we’ll be able to check and eradicate corruption, militancy and nepotism,” the PM said adding that the prime goal of her government is to develop Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina said she and her party is there in power to change the fate of people, not to indulge in corruption. Recalling the illegal capture of power by Ziaur Rahman, she said those who had grabbed power illegally cannot give anything to the nation. “I’m the daughter of the Father of the Nation, and pursue the politics. Why should we indulge in corruption luxury?” she said. About the recent verdict in a case where BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted along with others, Hasina said the case was filed by Khaleda Zia’s favourite people Moeen Uddin, Fakhruddin and Iajuddin. “Awami League didn’t lodge the case.” She said BNP people are questioning the justification of giving the punishment just for only Tk two crore, and there some intellectuals too who are supporting this argument. “That means there’ll be a ceiling of amount of money to commit corruption which will be legal. Are they trying to mean that?” she questioned. Hasina suggested BNP to file a writ petition with the higher court saying that they can commit corruption up to this level. “Being a former prime minister, Khaleda Zia whitened black money. Where that money came from, anyway?” she said.
The Prime Minister said, whenever BNP comes to power it turns the country into a den of corruption. The Prime Minister said the last caretaker government assumed office and declared emergency following the misdeeds of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government. “The BNP unleashed terrorism and militancy, committed corruption and created ‘Bangla Bhai’ in such a situation, we saw the emergency.” She said the graft case was filed in 2007. “Its trial proceedings started the following year and continued for 10 years. The hearing was held on 236 days. But Khaleda Zia appeared before the court for only 40 days.” The Awami League president said the court was changed thrice for the BNP leader’s objection and she filed writs for 22/24 times. “When the court punished Khaleda Zia despite her attempts to delay the trial, BNP is arguing what was the necessity to punish her for such a small amount of money.” Hasina said the money embezzled by Khaleda Zia and others was brought for an orphanage. “But it went to their personal funds instead of orphans.”
Regarding the corruption cases filed against her in the past, the Prime Minister said the investigation of every case was carried out and its report was submitted. “I had said investigation would have to be conducted and the report on every case will have submitted … we wanted to see that what the merit of the case is,” she said.
