LW minister says, Khaleda desire to down Banglaesh like Pakistan's

Bangladeshi Liberation war MinistersHuq claimed at an Awami League meeting organised to mark the historic March 7 in Washington that Bangladesh has achieved significant progress under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership in the last six years.

"That upsets Khaleda Zia, because during this period, Pakistan has only gone down, paying the price of her long backing of terrorism."

"BNP's long agitation for two months now is nothing but a conspiracy to damage our economy and polity so that we are brought down to the levels of Khaleda's beloved Pakistan," Huq told the meeting.

The two month agitation has already cost Bangladesh economy significant loss a government estimate recently put that at TK 1.2 trillion.

More than 100 people have died, mostly in fire-bombings. Scores more have been injured.

Though initially written off as a basket case after gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in the last few decades.

Its annual GDP growth has steadily stayed above 6 percent despite a global downturn, its foreign exchange reserves have crossed the $20 billion mark, remittances from its nationals abroad have broken all previous marks.

More importantly, Bangladesh has been projected as a model of inclusive economic growth and it has achieved its 2015 Millennium Development Goals well ahead of time.ts social sector achievements have also been striking and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has put Bangladesh ahead of India (not to speak of Pakistan) in many spheres like women's education and empowerment.
This has happened even as Pakistan has gone downhill, ravaged by terrorism, religious bigotry and ceaseless ethnic violence.