DHAKA, July 6, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the need for continuation of democracy and stability to maintain the country's ongoing development and progress.

"Pray to Allah so that the country's democracy and stability continue. We have been able to develop the country and transformed it into a developing one as there has been democracy in the country for a longer period," she said.

The Prime Minister said this achievement could not be possible without having continued democracy and stability.

She made the remarks inaugurating a new office for the officers of the parliament secretariat at the North Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban by cutting a ribbon.

The Prime Minister reminded all that the trend of democracy is the result of a long struggle, saying, "It hasn't come in a day."

The premier later went around different sections of the office.

Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, JS Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhary received the Prime Minister with a bouquet.

Among others, Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, cabinet members, deputy speaker, chief whip, whips, lawmakers and officials concerned were present on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh witnessed a massive development as her government has been maintained the country's democratic process since 2009.

"Not the parliament only, the entire country has also changed due to having continued democracy," she said.

About the new office, Sheikh Hasina, the Leader of the House, said the parliament has got a smart office with opening of the new one as part of the government's move to turn Bangladesh into a smart country by 2041.

The new office will ensure a convenient atmosphere for work and help infuse dynamism in the activities of the parliament secretariat, she said.

Describing the parliament library as invaluable, the premier called upon the lawmakers to spend some time here to study previous proceedings to be good parliamentarians.

She said they give speech in parliament referring to the previous proceedings.

The Prime Minister thanked the Speaker for taking an initiative of establishing an archive in parliament to let all know the actual history of the country.

She said her government has been giving topmost priority to protecting the main design of the parliament designed by world famous architect Louis Isadore Kahn.

The premier said her government had collected the complete design of the parliament from Pennsylvania University at a cost of four lakh US dollars.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said an archive on life, works and struggles of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Great War of Liberation will be constructed in the parliament by October next.