Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (June 21) questioned whether BNP intends to come to power by giving a guarantee to sell Saint Martin's island.

She said: "BNP came to power in 2001 by giving the undertaking to sell gas. Now they want to sell the country. Or do they want to come to power by undertaking to sell St Martin's island?" 

The PM was addressing a press conference held at the Gono Bhaban over the outcomes of her recent visits to Switzerland and Qatar.

PM Hasina said she is the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and never wants to come to power by selling any resource of the country.

"Now if I say that I will lease out St Martin's Island, there will also be no problem for me to stay in power. I know that. But I will not do that," she said.

And she would not allow anyone to play with the fate of the people of Bangladesh, the PM said.

"We won't allow any actions to execute terrorist activities anywhere or assault anyone using our nation's territory," she declared.

PM Hasina said Bangladesh didn't engage in quarrels with Myanmar even after some 11 lakh Myanmar refugees took shelter in Bangladesh as she believes in peaceful cooperation.

She said Bangladesh continues negotiation with Myanmar on the issue as her government believes in the policy "friendship to all and malice towards none".

"We refrained from initiating conflicts or disputes with them [Myanmar]," the premier added.

Sheikh Hasina was on a tour from May 22 to 25 to participate in the Qatar Economic Forum-2023. She also visited Switzerland from June 13 to 16 to attend the "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All," an ILO summit.

BDST: 1848 HRS, JUNE 21, 2023
MSK/SMS