Bangladesh makes better progress compared to South Asian nations, say MPs

Lawmakers on Sunday said Bangladesh has made significant progress in different development indexes, compared to other South Asian countries.

Bangladesh has made significant progress in different development indexes compared to other South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan, they said while taking part in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion of the president’s speech at the Jatiya Sangsad.

Taking part in the discussion, the lawmakers highlighted development activities in various sectors including communication, socio-economic, education, youth and sports, and information and communication technology.

The President in his 168-page speech on January 5 last, on the first day of the maiden session of 2023 of the 11th parliament, focused on the country’s massive successes in different sectors.

Participating in the discussion with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, Pran Gopal Dutta of Cumilla-7 said due to the befitting leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant progress in various development indexes.

“The average life expectancy of Bangladesh has risen to 73.29 years from only 40 years in 1971 while it is not more than 70.19 years in India and only 67.64 in Pakistan,” said the ruling party lawmaker.

Even the livelihood and life expectancy of women have increased significantly due to women’s empowerment, Dutta mentioned in the parliament.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatunnesa Indira said, “The country is now a role model of development under the leadership of the Prime Minister...the vision of 2041 that has been announced aiming to build prosperous and smart Bangladesh which is now visible.”

Sharply criticising the role of BNP-Jamaat, Nurunnabi Chowdhury MP of Bhola-3 said the BNP-Jamaat is now vocal for democracy while the BNP founder Ziaur Rahman had killed the democracy.

Due to the development of power generation, the country’s export volume now reaches $51 billion from its earlier stage of $ 14 billion, said Whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Shawpan of Jaipurhat-2.

Earlier, the chief whip Nur-E Alam Chowdhury came up with a proposal for holding a discussion on the thanksgiving motion of the President’s speech in the House, and then it was seconded by treasury bench lawmaker Shamsul Huq Tuku.

Treasury bench lawmakers including Umme Kulsum Smiriti of Gaibandha-3, Zakia Parvin Khanom of Women seat-18, Kh. Momota Hena Lovely of Women seat-31 and Jatiya Party lawmaker Shariful Islam Zinnah of Bogura-2 attended the discussion.

The lawmakers also thanked the President for giving a timely speech highlighting the success stories of the government and guiding the nation toward peace, progress, and prosperity.

Earlier, they paid a rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his contribution to establishing an independent Bangladesh.