Govt aims to build national unity and develop country: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (28 May) said the current government is committed to strengthening national unity and building the country.

He made the remarks while briefing reporters after exchanging Eid greetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Gulshan residence in Dhaka.

The minister said people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, must remain united to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh.

"Our main goal and only slogan is 'Bangladesh First'. We believe in working together to build the country, putting Bangladesh above all else," he said.

"We want to move forward through strength in unity by taking every citizen along with us," he added.

Referring to the political situation after 5 August 2024, the minister said people in Bangladesh are now enjoying a free, independent and peaceful environment.

"In this atmosphere of freedom, the country has been able to celebrate several festive Eids consecutively," he said, calling on people to pray for the country's continued prosperity, peace, stability and overall welfare.

The home minister also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, visited the graves of late president Ziaur Rahman and thrice-former prime minister Khaleda Zia, at the Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

Later, they also visited and paid their respects at the grave of late Arafat Rahman Koko, the PM's younger brother, and Dr Zubaida's late father, ex-Navy Chief Mahbub Ali Khan in Banani.

They also paid tribute to the 57 military officers, as well as others killed from 25-27 February 2009 in the Pilkhana tragedy, and prayed for the salvation of their departed souls, the home minister said.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam and the home minister's son, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, a member of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's ad hoc committee, were present at the briefing.