New Cabinet members led by PM pay homage to Liberation War martyrs

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War on Friday, a day after taking the oath to form the government for the fourth consecutive term and fifth overall.

Sheikh Hasina, as the prime minister, first placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of the capital city, around 11am in the morning.

Flanked by the new cabinet colleagues, the PM also placed another wreath at the altar of the National Memorial.

After laying the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for the independence of Bangladesh.

A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while Bugle played the last post on the occasion.

Later, Sheikh Hasina signed the visitors’ book kept on the National Memorial premises.

The PM's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, was also present.

The prime minister, along with her new cabinet members earlier in the morning, paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi in the capital in the morning.

Sheikh Hasina took the oath as prime minister for the fifth term, four days after the Awami League secured a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7, bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and her new ministers at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7pm on Thursday.

Her council of ministers included 25 ministers and 11 state ministers.

Source: UNB