PM asks army to entrust efficient, patriotic officers with higher commands

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DHAKA, July 22, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sehikh Hasina today asked army
to entrust skilled, efficient and patriotic officers with its higher commands
for continued constitutional democracy and pace of development as she
addressed the opening of Army Headquarters Selection Board-2018 here.

“A disciplined and strong army plays a very helpful role in establishing
and integrating democracy of a country,” the premier told the function at
Dhaka Cantonment here.

She added: “Those who are well-educated, skilled, alert, intelligent, and
above all have commitment to democracy should be to be given the leadership.”

Sheikh Hasina said the military must make significant contribution to
building a modern, developed and prosperous Bangladesh and “so you have to
select eligible officers for promotion with honesty, fairness and justice”.

“The country may prosper only if the democratic and constitutional process
continues,” the prime minister told the function when army chief General Aziz
Ahmed gave the welcome speech.

PM’s principal secretary Md. Nozibur Rahman, Defense Secretary Akhter
Hosssain Bhuiyan, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division
Lieutenant General Md. Mahfuzur Rahman and officers with ranks of Lieutenant
General and Major General were present.

The prime minister said she was glad that the military adopted a modern
approach for comparative evaluation of various aspects of professional skills
for promotion of its officers.

She expected the selection board to recommend suitable officers for
promotion simultaneously taking into consideration their patriotism and
belief in the spirit of the Liberation War.

The prime minister said the senior officers’ promotion should be based on
good record of successes in leading units and performing various military
activities alongside their professional skills, discipline and honesty.

“Education, attitude, socialization and character of officers should also
be examined,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
began the gigantic task of rebuilding war-ravaged nation after the
independence when he formulated a Defense Policy in 1974 to build an
advanced, professional and trained army.

“He established various organizations including Bangladesh Military
Academy, Combined Arms School and Training Center for each Corp,” the premier
said.

Following that policy, she said, her government was making continued
efforts for development and modernization of the army by formulating “Armed
Forces Goal-2030”.

“We don’t want war, but we must have the capacity to face any situation,”
the premier said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government took various development, expansion and
welfare measures to boost up soldiers and officers spirit.

She said Bangladesh’s patriotic army achieved universal confidence and
acceptance for concentration, competence and various public service
activities adding that they particularly set a unique example by helping and
supporting the victims of natural disasters and accidents.

“The army also showed expertise in building roads and infrastructures,
creating marine drive roads and creating voter lists and machine readable
passports, even in remote hills in the country,” she said.

The premier praised the army role in the Padma Bridge project and as a
supervisor consultant for Padma Bridge Rail Project.

The Prime Minister said the glorious role of army in UN peacekeeping
missions brightened the image of the country.

The prime minister said the foremost goal of her government is to ensure
overall welfare of the people. As a result of her government’s efforts,
Bangladesh is moving forward and emerged as a role model of development.

She said people of the country were now enjoying the benefits of
development while 90 percent development works of the country was done with
own resources.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would go ahead.

“In the golden jubilee of independence, we will make Bangladesh a middle
income and prosperous country before 2041,” she said.