Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would not yield to any external interference as it is an independent and sovereign country.

‘We’ll not give in to interferences of anyone. It is our decision,’ she said.

The prime minister was addressing a special gathering arranged at her office, marking the 37th founding anniversary of the Special Security Force.

‘We are an independent nation. We achieved our country through a war,’ she asserted.

Noting that Bangladesh is following the policy ‘friendship to all and malice towards none,’ which was framed by the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said that her government had been working accordingly to make friendship with essential ones and doing whatever necessary to develop the country.

Hasina said that Bangladesh was progressing and would go ahead farther defying many obstacles and conspiracies.

Bangladesh faced obstacles and conspiracies many times, she said adding that the country had successfully overcome those.

‘So, still many obstacles and conspiracies continue. The reason is that when a country makes rapid progress, many may not tolerate it. So, they start making various types of trouble’, said the PM.

‘There is nothing to be unnerved with these disturbance,’ she said asking all people of the country to move with self-confidence and self-esteem, keeping the heads high as an independent and victorious nation on the world stage.

At the outset of the event, SSF director general Major General Md. Majibur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.

A video documentary on the SSF and its activities was screened.

PM’s principal secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present at the programme.

At the function, the prime minister unveiled the cover of a book titled Durnitir Biruddye Bangabandhur Ukti, a selection of 75 quotes of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman compiled and edited by SSF DG Major General Md Majibur Rahman.

On June 15, 1986, the Presidential Security Force was formed, which was later renamed as Special Security Force in 1991 following the restoration of the parliamentary government system in the country.

The force was originally intended to provide ‘physical security’ both to the president wherever he may be and to VIPs, including any head of the state or government or any person declared to be a VIP by the government. Following the restoration of the parliamentary system, its primary function has been to protect the president, the prime minister and other VIPs.