<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to engage in war with anyone, but will boost its defence forces aiming to protect the independence and sovereignty.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“We will not engage in war with anyone. But we have to attain capability to protect our independence and sovereignty,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while addressing the Golden Jubilee of the enactment of the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury chaired the programme organised at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina said that following the footstep of Bangabandhu the government has formulated Forces Goal 2030 and implementing it.</div><div><br></div><div>“Side by side, as an independent country we will do whatever we need. We are working on that direction,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said that Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 is working as an important guideline and in future it will continue to do the same.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that the vast maritime areas that Bangladesh attained will contribute a lot in the country’s economy.</div><div><br></div><div>Shipping Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Naval chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan also spoke at the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam presented the keynote paper, reports UNB</div><div><br></div><div>An audio-visual documentary was also screened at the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, the PM visited different stalls at the programme premises.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>