Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam saying that the verdict is the outcome of a long wait and protracted struggle.

"The ICT has given verdict, and Ghulam Azam along with Jamaat- Shibir was found guilty in it. We are satisfied with the punishment against Ghulam Azam. But it is the matter of the court what judgement they would deliver," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while delivering her valedictory speech at the 18th session of the 9th Jatiya Sangsad.

Terming the punishment against Ghulam Azam as the result of long wait, efforts and struggle, she said "We are hopeful that we will be able to start execution of the verdict during our tenure.

Sheikh Hasina said the judges have been able to start trial process and they are delivering verdict with courage ignoring local and international pressure one after another. It is the biggest achievement of the nation.

Criticizing the absence of the opposition from the House, the Prime Minister said the support the BNP leader extended to the war criminals has been demonstrated through the party's support to today's and yesterday's hartals.

Calling upon the countrymen to stay alert against the war criminals and theirs cohorts, Sheikh Hasina said BNP has extended support to Jamaat-Shibir's shutdown by skipping the JS session and for this, the nation would hate them.

Sheikh Hasina said Jamaat-Shibir enforced two-day haratl centering the verdict against Ghulam Azam. BNP boycotted parliament session for two days by backing Jamaat's hartal. BNP's support to Jamaat's hartal is unfortunate for the nation, she said.

Extending her thanks to the opposition for joining budget session of parliament, the Leader of the House said they took part in the discussion for long time, though the speech of their many members was 'vulgar' and 'derogatory', which tarnished the image of the JS.

The Prime Minister mentioned that her government always honours democracy. "It is our aim to uphold democracy and run the country as per the constitution so that the democratic trend continues," she said.

The Prime Minister said the government has ensured the people's empowerment and their voting rights. All the elections held in the last four years of the present government were staged in a free, fair and impartial manner and none could raise any allegations about the polls.

She said the Election Commission, which was formed through a search committee, is working and conducting polls independently.

"We have taken all the steps that are necessary to establish good governance," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said: "Holding trial of the 1971 culprits was our commitment. We have started it and some verdicts have already been pronounced and we would execute the judgement, Insha Allah."

The Prime Minister said it was General Zia who stopped trial of war criminals through promulgation of the Martial Law Ordinance. He not only stopped the trial, but also rehabilitated them politically by making them ministers and MPs, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Ziaur Rahman allowed Ghulam Azam in Bangladesh with Pakistani passport.

Referring to the unbridled corruption and terrorism during the rule of the past BNP-Jamaat alliance government, the Leader of the House said 'Hawa Bhaban' and 'Khowab Bhaban' were the den of all misdeeds of the four-party alliance government at that time. "None could do business without paying toll to the Hawa Bhaban," she said.

The Prime Minister said former minister Shah AMS Kibria and Ahsanaullah Master, MP, were killed during the BNP-Jamaat rule. "Twenty-two leaders and workers including Ivy Rahman were killed in the grenade attacks and several attempts were made to kill me," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said BNP-Jamaat did not try the terrorists of the Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. "The brother of an accused in the August 21 grenade attack was rewarded by making him Chhatra Dal president," she said.

Mentioning her government's firm stance against terrorism and militancy, the Prime Minister said her government curbed these social vices with an iron hand.

"Incidents like creation of Hawa Bhaban and Khowab Bhaban and grenade attacks did not take place in the last four and a half years of the present government," she said.

The Prime Minister said: "Whatever incidents happened during our tenure, we tried our best to take action against those. We have arrested 600 BCL leaders and workers. We did not give indulgence to any crimes and unjust activities in the past and would not do so in future."

She said all the accused in the Biswajit murder were arrested. "The trial of the case started and we are taking action against the culprits. I don't know whether any party did take such action in the past."

Sheikh Hasina said Hallmark was created from the Hawa Bhaban. "The corruption of the Hall-Mark had been continued for long time and we have detected their crimes," she said.

The Prime Minister said Dundy Dying and Khamba Ltd looted crores of taka and banks owed Taka 980 crore to them. "The corruption of Khaleda Zia's sons was proved in foreign courts and we brought back their laundered money from abroad."

Referring to the steps taken for the welfare of the Islam, she said it is the Awami League which did most works for the development of Islam. Most of AL leaders and workers offer prayers and keep fast. "But it is unfortunate that we cannot compete with the BNP in falsehood. They are expert in falsehood," she said.

She recalled that Begum Zia had said before the 1996 general elections that prayers call will be stopped and Ulu sound would be heard from the mosques if the Awami League comes to power.

"But prayers call was not stopped from any mosque after assumption of office by the AL. Rather the AL did most development of mosques and madrasas," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh secured top position in the hajj management in Asia. On the other hand, there was history of embezzlement of hajj money by the religious affairs minister during the BNP rule, she said.

The Prime Minister blasted the 'derogatory' comments of Allama Shafi undermining the womenfolk and wondered being a woman how the opposition leader extends support to Allama Shafi.

She called upon the opposition leader to discard Hefajat and work for the development of the womenfolk.

Sheikh Hasina focussed on achievements of the present government in various fields like agriculture, education, health, power and women empowerment and social safety net.

She greeted all lawmakers and the countrymen in advance on the occasion of the upcoming Eid.

Ends/AMA/16/07/13