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LONDON, March 5 (BSS): Visiting Bangladesh Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman urged all friends abroad to evaluate the country through its development indicators and achievements in social sectors ignoring anti-Bangladesh campaign orchestrated by the vested quarters.
The minister made this call last evening here at a reception hosted in honour of the British lawmakers, members of the press and pro-Bangladesh lobbyists. British revenue secretary Stephen Tim was present on the occasion.
Saifur said Bangladesh is far ahead of its South Asian neighbours as regards its achievements in different social sectors. He recalled that Bangladesh has made significant progress defying all man-made and natural disasters. For this, the country deserves appreciation and accolades, he pointed out.
He said though over 14 crore people live in Bangladesh, it was astonishing that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in food with such a huge surplus population.
The country has also earned marked development in the human development index (HDI), he said, adding that it also made progress towards meeting the objectives of the millennium development goals (MDG) set by the United Nations.
Significant progresses have been made in the fields of immunisation, supply of drinking water, female education and health care, he said outlining the country's achievements.
He alleged that the opposition Party Bangladesh Awami League is of the mindset that 'it is the only political power which has natural authority to rule the country'.
The Awami league is trying to disrupt the development process and it never accepted the defeat in general elections. BNP believes in multi-party democracy and practices democracy in the country, he said.
Saifur Rahman said the present government has ensured all democratic and fundamental rights of the common people.
The minister informed the audience that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and he also ensured freedom of the press.
The journalists did not enjoy press freedom during the rule of the first government in the country led by Bangladesh Awami league , he alleged.
He observed that continuous dialogues between the members of the global civil society will help created a positive image of the country abroad.
Stephen Tim assured that Britain would continue its existing development assistance and cooperation towards Bangladesh.
He also lauded the contributions of the members of Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK in different spheres of economy and culture in Britain.
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