MT Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that establishing peace is a prerequisite to ensure development. She said this while the outgoing Ambassador of Afghanistan to Bangladesh Abdul Qayoom Malikzad paid a farewell call to the prime minister at her official Gono Bhaban residence in the capital.

PM`s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed media after the meeting.

During the meeting, the Afghanistan envoy informed the Bangladesh premier that the iconic March 7 speech by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was translated into the Afghan language.

On the Covid-19 situation, the PM said, "Covid-19 is a problem for all as it`s a global pandemic. We have been fighting this deadly disease collectively."

Describing Bangladesh-Afghanistan relations as wonderful, Sheikh Hasina said, "We are pursuing the foreign policy `friendship to all, malice to none`."

The prime minister also expressed her desire to help Afghanistan in its development.

To this end, she said that Bangladeshi NGO BRAC has been working in Afghanistan for its socio-economic advancement

She said her government has been working to make Bangladesh a poverty and hunger-free country as dreamt by the Father of the Nation. The prime minister also conveyed her regards to the Afghan president.

The Afghanistan ambassador congratulated the prime minister marking 50 years of the country`s independence. He highly praised the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina under which Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress.

In this regard, he said, "Bangladesh`s development is considered as a role model for all."

The Afghan envoy also said that under the leadership of Bangladesh`s Prime Minister, the bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened further.

He greeted the Bangladesh premier for extending cooperation to Afghanistan embassy in Bangladesh.

About trade and business, the envoy said that there is enough scope to enhance assistance, particularly in the private sector between the two countries.

He also requested the prime minister to reopen Bangladesh`s Embassy in Afghanistan.

PM`s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present.