TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to pay special attention and exert extra efforts in implementing projects funded by foreign loans and grants.

In addition, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is required to submit a progress report every three months on these projects, she said.

The directives were given during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by the prime minister at the NEC Conference room in Dhaka’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar.

Awami League joint general secretary and foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud

Awami League joint general secretary and foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, we don’t want BNP to be weaker. Because a strong opposition is needed to consolidate democracy. We want them to fulfill that responsibility.

He said this at a discussion meeting organized on the occasion of ‘Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Homecoming Day (1981)’ at the National Press Club on Thursday.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that BNP is following the path of staying out of the elections by conspiring against the country, thus the sky is getting smaller for BNP. If it stays on that path, then BNP will disappear in the wind.

He said, in fact, BNP has now confounded. I used to see two leaders lose. Gayeshwar Babu Khei lost his clue as well as General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Now I see more senior leaders also saying like nonsense. In fact, when one does not see the light of hope, they lose hope. That is the situation of BNP.

Awami League joint general secretary also said that the country is moving forward. But BNP leaders do not see anything. They (BNP) are upset after the visit of the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of the region yesterday. What did they expect? Tried a lot to meet. But by dashing their hopes, the United States has sent a message that they want to deepen the relationship, take the relationship further. We also want to take the relationship forward. This is why BNP leaders are upset. Now they are talking different things.

General Secretary of Independence Teachers Parishad Shahjahan Alam Saju administered the meeting while Secretary General of Bangabandhu Academy Humayun Kabir Mizi conducted the meeting. Awami League National Committee Member Advocate Balram Poddar, Awami League Leader MA Karim, Chairman of Bangladesh Mofswal Journalist Society Md. Suman Sardar, General Secretary MA Bashar, Co-Chairman Seheli Parveen and others were present.