Equally important to counter non-traditional threats: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the need for addressing traditional and non-traditional threats as the pattern of crimes has changed with the advent of new technologies.

“The concept of security has changed. Digital devices have changed the pattern of terrorism, militancy and crimes aside from creating advantages for all,” she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the graduation ceremony of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course-2022 and handing over certificates among the graduates at the Sheikh Hasina Complex in Mirpur Cantonment.

Sheikh Hasina said that it is equally important to counter non-traditional threats along with the traditional ones to ensure national security.

“We want a peaceful environment in our country and we have taken the country forward accordingly,” she said.

She also reiterated her call to world leaders to stop the Russia-Ukraine war immediately for the wellbeing of people worldwide.

The Prime Minister said her government has been empowering and developing the armed forces, but not to engage in war.

“Our foreign policy is clear: ‘Friendship to all, malice towards none.’ We’re running the country, maintaining friendly relations with all, following the foreign policy adopted by the Father of the Nation,” she said.

She said that Bangladesh did even not engage in any conflict with Myanmar over repatriation of the forcibly displaced nationals, Rohingyas, to their home land.

In this connection, she referred to solving the land boundary problem with India through discussion and establishing rights to the vast sea areas and marine resources after winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar while maintaining friendly relations.

She once again alerted the countrymen against rumours on foreign currency reserve and liquidity in banks.

“A quarter with vested interest is spreading rumours about the foreign currency reserves and liquidity in banks. Don’t pay heed to rumours,” she said.

The Prime Minister said her government will make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country and transform “Digital Bangladesh” into a “Smart Bangladesh” by implementing Vision-2041.

“We are taking measures to make the armed forces more modern and developed by implementing the Forces Goal-2030 in line with the Defence Policy, 1974 formulated by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.

The Prime Minister attached topmost priority on training and said that the overall standard of armed forces would not be achieved through collecting only world class war weapons, rather it requires time-befitting and future oriented training as well.

Besides, the government has been preparing all citizens for the fourth industrial revolution as well, she said.