Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

My Dear Countrymen,

Assalamu Alaikum.

We all dream of building a beautiful Bangladesh; a Bangladesh which would arouse pride among our present and future generations. We want such a Bangladesh which would allow them to hold their head high at home and abroad and live in peace and happiness. We do not want a Bangladesh where they would bow down to injustices and unfairness.

Fellow Countrymen,

As you know, we assumed office at a critical juncture of our national life. We did not take up this responsibility out of self-interest; rather we undertook this task out of a deep sense of love for our country and our people. Hopefully, we have proved that point during the past three months. By the infinite mercy of Almighty Allah, we are on our way to overcoming the crisis with the sincere support and benign cooperation of you all. I had said during my first address to the nation that our ultimate aim was transition to genuine democracy. We are determined to hand over power to an elected government through holding a free, fair and credible election after implementing required programmes and institutional reforms and the creation of an appropriate environment as soon as possible.

My Dear Countrymen,

Now we want to explore: what have been our achievements during these past three months, how much of the hopes and pledges could be implemented, in which direction are we progressing? Some moments arrive in the life of a nation whose importance is infinite. We now have such a time and opportunity before us. We want to utilise it for the sake of the country and the nation.

The subject of the Election Commission comes first. As you know, full independence of the reconstituted Election Commission has been ensured and a process is underway to strengthen it. The Commission has also initiated various reformative measures for creating a proper environment as well as a desired framework for the election. The Commission has already prepared an amended draft of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 and discussions are underway at various levels to give it a final shape. Appropriate measures are being taken so that full transparency and neutrality are maintained in the election and the process can not be influenced in any way by any quarter. The Commission is considering the opinions and recommendations of various quarters on this issue and I believe this process will continue in the future.

Compulsory registration of the political parties is a major plank in the electoral reforms. Necessary modifications of laws are being made for the purpose. As a corollary to registration, the accountability of political parties in maintaining transparency in their incomes and expenditures and the practice of democracy within themselves will also be ensured. Firm measures will be taken so that honest, dedicated and qualified candidates feel encouraged to participate in elections. The Commission shall also be empowered to take swift and proper actions against the violators of election-related laws and regulations.

Preparations are already afoot for preparation of voters’ list with photographs along with ancillary ID cards. There is a huge public opinion in its favour. The Chief Election Commissioner has spoken on the subject. Measures will be taken to ensure that the identified criminals, loan-defaulters, black money holders, terrorists and musclemen do not take part in elections. The submission of incomes-expenditures and wealth of candidates will be made compulsory. Steps will also be taken to bar the use of photographs of national leaders, any kind of communal or provocative statements, malicious, anti-state or divisive campaigns. Efforts will be made so that the political parties refrain from using the professionals, students and teachers organizations as their component parts. Active cooperation of the political parties is also needed in these matters.

Fellow Countrymen,

The programmes for reforming election-related laws, regulations and processes will be implemented simultaneously, so that no undue delay takes place in the reforms and holding of actual election. The Election Commission has already made a presentation on the time-frame for preparation of voters’ list and ID cards.

I would like to state here categorically that we shall not stay in office a single day more than is necessary. I have firm faith that it will be possible for us to hold the parliamentary election, as desired by the people, before the expiry of the year 2008.

I should point out another thing here. Not only the upcoming election, we are determined to put in place a sustainable framework which would ensure that all elections in the long run are held in a fair, neutral and proper manner –  free from all kinds of unwanted influences like money and muscle.

My Dear Countrymen,

We are also pledge-bound to free the nation from the scourge of corruption. Steps have already been taken to strengthen the reconstituted Anti-Corruption Commission. Side by side, a national coordination committee has been constituted for tackling serious crimes including corruption; task-forces have also been formed throughout the country for the purpose. These task-forces are working tirelessly for assisting the Commission. Necessary changes and amendments have also been incorporated in the Emergency Rules. Our objective is clear-cut. We seek to bring all corrupt persons, people who have misused their powers and other serious offenders under the purview of justice in accordance with the country’s laws; so that the society, country and people are freed from their dark claws. The government will show zero tolerance in this area.

We earnestly need unflinching support and cooperation of all strata of people in this anti-corruption campaign. Corruption must be hated and a social movement must be waged against it. Our posterity will remain safe only in a society which is free of corruption.

The government has also been taking measures for improvement of the judicial system. The legal process for separation of the judiciary from the executive has been completed at the very commencement of this government. Utmost caution is being exercised so that political ideologies, party loyalty or influences do not come into play in administrative postings and appointments. The working of the Public Service Commission is also being evaluated. Elaborate reforms of the Public Service Commission including its reconstitution are also in the cards.

We are making all-out efforts to uphold citizens’ rights, rule of law and justice in all sectors controlled by the state; so that the people of Bangladesh can one day say with pride, ‘the messages of justice do not cry in seclusion in this country’. We have heard reverberation of this theme in the words of the widowed wives of judges who were killed by the bombs of terrorists; that was undoubtedly reassuring.

Fellow Countrymen,

Making the country’s economy dynamic and time-befitting is a prime objective of the present government. A number of policies and reform-oriented decisions are being implemented for the purpose. The export receipts, foreign investments and foreign exchange remittances through manpower exports have risen significantly. Remittances sent home during the first 9 months of the current fiscal year have crossed 4 billion dollars, which is an all-time record. The macro-economy and the foreign exchange reserves are stable. Transactions in the stock exchanges have surpassed all previous records. Vibrancy has returned to Chittagong sea-port. Cut-off times and integrated terminal management have been introduced in the port for easing container congestion, improving service quality and labour management. The New Mooring Container Terminal has been pressed into partial operation and the port is being kept open seven days a week.

The businessmen operating in various sectors including transportation are now free from unwanted interferences and extortions. Despite that, I would like to assure the business community that the law enforcement agencies have been given strict orders so that no innocent person is harassed because of the state of emergency or during anti-corruption and anti-adulteration drives. The government will extend all-out cooperation for the success of trading and industrial ventures. The practice of holding coordination meetings with various business and trade bodies by the government at local and national levels for solving problems is already yielding positive results.

Programmes have been undertaken to keep the prices of essentials within tolerable limits; these include sales of essential commodities by BDR and Ansars in the open market, selling of rice under OMS and Food for Works. Import duties have been reduced in some cases. Measures have been taken to maintain unhindered supply and movement of commodities and to maintain normalcy in the markets. All-out steps have been taken by the government for ensuring continuous supply of fertilisers, diesel and electricity to far-flung areas of the country. As a result, bumper harvest is expected during the upcoming Boro season.

The collection of arrear power, gas and water bills has also improved substantially during recent times. The production of natural gas can now meet its daily maximum demand. As it is now possible to meet the demand for gas in various sectors, generation of electricity could be increased by 400 mega-watt per day by restarting 6 power stations including those at Tongi and Rauzan. The government is taking short, medium and long term measures for the amelioration of electricity crisis. Responding to the government’s initiative, the shop-owners are helping save electricity by closing down their shops by 7 in the evening. The industrial entrepreneurs have similarly agreed to follow area-wise weekly holidays. I thank the business community as well as the people at large for bearing with these temporary hardships.  There is no alternative before us but to remain patient as the problems which have piled up in the power sector over the years due to corruption and mismanagement would take a long time to heal.

My Dear Countrymen,

In this context, I shall raise the issue of consumers’ rights and citizens’ awareness. If the consumers remained united and the citizens strove to establish their rights, then that would aid the business community as well as the administrative machinery to tread the right path. Not only citizens’ and consumers’ rights, I want to make them conscious about their responsibilities as well. A survey has shown that the use of electricity and gas can easily be brought down by one-third in each of our households. I therefore make a clarion call to the consumers to exercise maximum restraint in the use of power, gas and water at individual and family levels.

Fellow Countrymen,

We are striving to make the administration welfare-oriented in order to establish good governance in the country. The process of administrative reorganisation is continuing. I have already visited five divisional towns outside Dhaka for providing directions to government officials at the field level. Side by side, I have also exchanged views with the civil society and the professionals for enhancing coordination between the public and private sectors. I have placed emphasis on increasing communication and coordination in governmental activities at the grassroots level.

The people are extending spontaneous cooperation in the governmental drives to dismantle unauthorised structures, recover illegally occupied government lands and combat those who are placing obstacles to natural flows like rivers and canals. Significant progresses have been made in these tasks. But we do not want that the poor, the working class or small businessmen are harmed by these. Orders have been issued to the concerned authorities to provide all-out assistance to those already affected.

Previously, people had to face lot of hassles to submit GD entries in police stations. That picture is now changing. Service Delivery Officers have now been posted at many police stations. The number of people seeking services has also increased substantially. This programme will be gradually widened to cover other police stations. Besides, the government offices have been instructed to solve the grievances of citizens without wasting any time.

The government is attaching priority to financial sector reforms and increase in productive activities in the industrial sector. The budget for the next financial year is being prepared on the basis of suggestions and recommendations made by various social classes and professions. Special attention is being paid to the communication sector, especially railway communication. The privatisation process will also continue in appropriate sectors.

The need for strengthening the local government institutions for accelerating development at the local level is also undeniable. Unfortunately, this aspect has been neglected in the past. The government as well as the Election Commission is therefore contemplating holding of Upazila election in order to make the local governments in the country effective.

My Dear Countrymen,

I spoke about our unfulfilled responsibilities for the war-wounded freedom fighters and their families during the Independence Award Ceremony. We also have responsibilities for other deprived and repressed sections of society. We have to be more active to redress their sufferings. I especially want to mention all categories of disabled people, acid-burnt mothers and sisters and the tortured females. Many women in our society are still victims of dowries or illegal fatwas.  We want to bring an end to this intolerable situation. Affirmative initiatives at both state and social levels are needed to make this happen.

Fellow Countrymen,

I want to especially mention here the positive contributions and cooperation of our patriotic armed forces in our overall efforts to infuse dynamism in the socio-economic arena of the country. The glorious role played by the armed forces of Bangladesh at various conflict zones of the world under UN Peacekeeping Operations has been acclaimed by all. They have also been making laudable contributions at various times and in different areas inside the country. Currently, they are playing a commendable role in maintaining peace and discipline within the country, in recovering illegally occupied lands and in the anti-corruption drive. I have firm faith that this trend of patriotism and devotion to work shown by our armed forces shall continue in the day ahead.

My Dear Countrymen,

The world leaders have expressed their full support for various initiatives and steps taken by the present government for firmly putting the country on the path of genuine democracy. Our efforts to run the administration in line with the UN Conventions and universal values have earned the praise of all. Our ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption as well as the decision to set up a National Human Rights Commission have been praised worldwide. These matters were awaiting governmental approval for many years. These were part of our endeavour to raise the level of our national morality to an unchangeable new height. The recently concluded SAARC Summit has declared 2008 as the ‘Year of Good Governance’ for all member-states. We want Bangladesh to emerge as a luminous star of good governance in the sky of South Asia. I have firm conviction that it is attainable.

Fellow Countrymen,

Today, boosted by self-confidence, we are witnessing the resolve of our nation to raise its head high on the global podium. Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank have brought Nobel Peace Prize for the country by playing a pioneering role in upholding the rights of the poor through micro-credit and by establishing peace in the process. In the sporting arena, our young Cricket team has created sensation by reaching the super-8 in the World Cup. We are witnessing advances in other areas of national life as well. The country is now almost self-sufficient in food-grain production because of the success of our hard-working farmers in producing golden harvests within a small landmass. Our millions of garments workers have established the industry as the most competitive one in this region through their incessant toils day and night. The successes of our immunization and birth-control programmes through tireless efforts of conscious mothers and health-workers have been lauded all over the world. Our average life-expectancy has risen in recent years and we have attained parity in enrolment of boys and girls in schools. Our most efficient and disciplined soldiers now lead the world in promoting global peace.

My Dear Countrymen,

As the head of the government, I have not hesitated and shall not hesitate in taking far-reaching and stringent steps to eliminate injustices and unfairness. We do not want to be seen as a weak nation anymore. Our muscles now overflow with the winds of energy. Our minds are firm. Our goals are unwavering.

The nation must be united in this endeavour of advancement. We may have differences of opinions or political ideologies, but why should there be disunity, conflicts and violence in the national arena. We must shun those divisive ideas and activities which prolong the walls of division amongst us. We must abhor all kinds of communalism, religious or ideological militancy, intolerance and extremism.

Fellow Countrymen,

We want to ameliorate the sufferings of our people and remove all obstacles from our socio-economic arena. We want freedom of our people from unemployment and poverty. We seek a happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh. For this to materialise, what is needed most is hard work and self-less love for the country. We can certainly do it, only if we want to. Come, let us all be united by touching the sacred soil of our mothreland for the sake of our children and the country. Come, let us start this process from our respective homes. Let us free our dearest Bangladesh – the land of our future generations – from thorns. Let us redecorate her anew with added splendour.

We must establish ourselves on the world map as a modern country by upholding democratic values. We seek to initiate a new dawn of immense possibilities through united efforts by overcoming our failures and limitations of the past. Come, let this be our national pledge on the eve of the Bangla New Year.

May Almighty God help us in this collective endeavour.

Allah Hafez.