The Awami League will take a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to free Bangladesh from corruption if it is reelected, Sheikh Hasina has said.
The prime minister interacted with a diverse group of youths and listened to their dreams, hopes and aspirations for a prosperous Bangladesh free from corruption, gender inequality and other menaces last month.
Her anticorruption stance mirrors the government’s crackdown on militancy and drugs.
“When will Bangladesh be free from corruption?” one of the youths asked her at the “Let’s Talk” programme organised by the Awami League’s research wing, the Centre for Research and Information, or CRI, in Dhaka.
“It’s one of my targets. I have cracked down on terrorism and drugs. Now a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption will be announced,” Hasina said.
“Why do the government officials need to resort to corruption when they get salaries?” she asked.
It will be possible to stop corruption if the “evil competition” of being rich can be stopped, according to the prime minister.
A total of 150 young people selected from across Bangladesh, including professionals, jobholders, entrepreneurs, students, representatives of youth groups, and sports and cultural activists, took part in the programme.
They discussed the government’s policies and measures, including employment opportunities, education, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and research, fighting the menaces of corruption and violent extremism and ensuring transparency in governance to take the country forward.
