The Acting President, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, said Wednesday that we all should pursue our national objectives with a sense of partnership to take the country forward and erase our image as one of the poorest nations, reports BSS.

In his last farewell speech addressed to the Bangabhaban staff Including the President's Guard Regiment (PGR) and the President's Security Forces (PSP). Justice Shahabuddin said, "If we are aimless, we will drift haphazardly like a piece of wood in the vast ocean without ever reaching our national goals."

Attired tn his usual dress and looking pale after a bout with influenza. Justice Shahabuddin however looked satisfied that he could fulfil his mission as the interim head of the government when he met his staff to bid them goodbye.

He advised the staff, both civil and military, whom he preferred to call colleagues In his brief but touching address. Io work selflessly with devotion to free the people from the clutches of poverty. "You,

as public servants, owe much to pur poor people many of whom live below the poverty line. You must first set examples of austerity and selfless service yourselves before ad vis Ing others to do so,"

He said all should work In , their respective stations with ! utmost sincerity and without grumbling for rewards.

Rewards will automatically follow good deeds," he stated.'

Justice Shahabuddin said he had executed his responsibilities during his brief tenure with no malice to anybody and had to take some stern decisions in the Interest of the nation when situation had called for, He said the government should neither fear hard options nor hesitate to aot deci sfvely to protect and promote the supreme national Interest.

Later, the President’s Guard Regiment gave him a ceremo nial guard of honour. Justice Shahabuddin inspected the I guard in a sombre mood and j took the salute.

The I’rcsident-clect, Abdur Rahman Biswas, sent him a number of souvenirs through

the military secretary to the President. Major General Manzoor Rashid Khan.

Both the PGR and the PSF presented their respective crests to the outgoing President.

Justice Shahabuddin visited the Toshakhana' of the Bangabhaban where gifts to the head of stale arc preserved. He drove out of the Bangabhaban in a ceremonial motorcade.