ZCZC
BSS-17
PM-JUBO LEAGUE 2 LAST DHAKA
Referring to a recent query by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wondering why Sheikh Hasina
was not being prosecuted like her in the NIKO case, the prime minister said
investigators had interrogated her as well while she was confined during the past
military-backed interim regime.
“I want to say in response to the BNP leader’s comments that I was interrogated by
the investigators when I was in the jail, but they did not get anything against me,”
the premier said.
Sheikh Hasina said had she been involved in NIKO or other corruptions, the
investigators could have got something against her “but they didn’t get anything”.
The prime minister said she had challenged the World Bank’s corruption allegations
against her regarding the Padma Bridge while a Canadian Federal court eventually
dismissed the case of corruption allegations involving the project, terming it
abricated and baseless.
“The World Bank, US FBI and the British intelligences thoroughly conducted
investigations all over the world to find out corruption of mine, my sister and
children . . . but they didn’t get anything,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said on assuming power in 2001 the BNP government too filed a dozen
cases against her and started investigations but “they (too) didn’t get anything
against me”.
Furthermore, the prime minister said the caretaker government also carried out
investigations against her and her children and sister and enquired about their bank
accounts and “they also didn’t find anything wrong”.
She said Khaleda Zia and then the caretaker government, and lastly the World Bank,
being instigated by certain quarters including Dr Mohammad Yunus, tried to hook her on
graft charges but found nothing.
“They didn’t get anything, since we committed no wrong . . . they would have gotten
something if we had done anything (wrong),” she said.
The prime minister asked the Jubo League leaders and workers to serve the nation by
winning the greed and fear. “The people who could triumph the greed and fear will be
able to deliver something to the nation and the country,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also urged the Jubo League leaders and workers to devote themselves to
building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh following the ideology of Bangabandhu.
“If you can follow the ideology of Bangabandhu, it will be your great success . . .
there is no success in enjoyment, rather success comes in exchange for sacrifice,” she
said.
BSS/SH/AR/1710 hrs