ZCZC
BSS-12
PM-E-PASSPORT-LEAD
E-passport is a ‘Mujib Barsho’ gift for nation: PM
(Updates with more quotes of PM)
DHAKA, Jan 22, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today launched the
much-awaited electronic passport (e-passport) along with the automated border
control management programme, saying that it (e-passport) is a gift for the
nation in the “Mujib Barsho”.
“We’re handing over the e-passport to the people of the country in ‘Mujib
Barsho’, the special year, coinciding with the birth centenary celebration of
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It (e-passport) is a
gift for the nation in the Mujib Barsho,” she told the inaugural function of
the e-passport and automated border control management programme at
Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here this morning.
The premier added: “I do believe that e-passport and automated border
control management will undoubtedly brighten Bangladesh’s image in the
digital world.”
Sheikh Hasina said due to the introduction of the e-passport, Bangladesh
will advance another step forward and the people will no more be deceived
regarding the passport.
“There was a problem in the past about the passport as ‘galakata’
(tampered) passport was used at that time. But due to launching of the e-
passport, it (fraudulence) will never happen … the people will no more be
cheated and they could move with transparency,” she said.
The prime minister said in the e-passport, there will be embedded micro
processor chip that will contain all information along with the photo,
fingerprint and iris of eye of the passport holder.
“E-gate is going to be incorporated with e-passport, and once e-passport
and e-gate are introduced, the immigration and passport services will be
easier, smooth and international standard ones,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government wants to advance through keeping pace
with the world, and the Awami League is working to achieve the goal.
“We’ll celebrate Mujib Barsho from March 17, 2020 to March 17, 2021 and its
countdown has already started … we’ll also celebrate golden jubilee of
independence in 2021,” she said.
The prime minister said: “The people of the country will get e-passports in
the ‘Mujib Barsho’ and that’s why I congratulate them.”
Expressing gratitude to the people for reelecting the Awami League
government through votes, Sheikh Hasina said, “I express my sincere gratitude
to the countrymen for keeping confidence and trust in us and giving a scope
to serve them again.”
The prime minister said her government is working relentlessly to turn
Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and dignified country.
“We advanced far long economically and economic solvency has come to the
life of the people and many people go abroad. Expatriate Bangladeshis are
working abroad and send remittances which are making a huge contribution to
our economy … So, we remain careful so that they don’t become victims of
any type of harassment,” she said.
The prime minister said 118 countries have already introduced e-passports
and Bangladesh is the 119th country which launched such passports.
“We’ve reached such a position and Bangladesh is the first country in South
Asia which has been able to introduce e-passports,” she said, extending her
sincere thanks to all concerned involved in the project.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is working on building an educated nation
based in science and technology.
“In our election manifesto before the 2008 elections, we declared that
Bangladesh will be a “Digital Bangladesh” and accordingly we made
arrangements so that modern technologies are used everywhere and we also
waived taxes so that computers, laptops and their parts are available to the
people,” she said.
The premier went on saying: “The government also made arrangements to
provide computer education to the students…. We’re now getting its good
results and as a result a digital revolution took place in the country.”
Sheikh Hasina said her government has been able to provide internet connection
almost the entire country. “Optical fibre connection has reached 3,500 unions
and we launched Bangabandhu-1 Satellite,” she said.
The premier said the government has digitalised all the activities of the
DIP to attain the immigration-related SDG.
“We’ve also set up 69 passports offices in 64 districts, 33 immigration
check-posts and passports and visa wings at 75 missions abroad aiming to
reach the passport, visa and immigration services to the doorsteps of the
people,” she said.
MORE/SH/RY/14:45 hrs