Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said democracy stands on a solid ground in Bangladesh now, with the economy being strong enough.

She was speaking at an iftar party hosted in honour of political leaders at the Gono Bhaban.

The PM said Bangladesh has entered the era of a developing country and its progress has to be maintained.

Hasina, also the Awami League chief, said the government would ensure people's improved lifestyle through implementing Vision-2021.

Mentioning that there was scarcity of everything in the country once upon a time, she said the AL government through its pragmatic steps put an end to the scarcity.

She said the government would build the country in the spirit of the Liberation War. “We'll make the country free from hunger and poverty as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.”

Earlier, Hasina went round different tables set for the guests, exchanged pleasantries with them and enquired about their wellbeing.

Before the iftar, a munajat was offered seeking peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, LGRD Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, Bangladesh Nationalist Alliance leader Nazmul Huda and Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua attended the iftar party.

Besides, other ministers, advisers to the PM, lawmakers, senior leaders of AL, Jatiya Party, Jatiya Party (Manju), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Workers Party and other political parties were present.