Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the Army high-ups for selecting patriotic and competent leaders for the Bangladesh Army through neutral evaluation but with focus on those who have the spirit of the Liberation War, reports UNB. "A disciplined and strong army can play a very supporting role in establishing and strengthening democracy. The Army leadership should be bestowed upon such competent officials who are well educated, able, cautious, intelligent and above all having firm resolve in strengthening democracy," she said. The prime minister was addressing the Army Headquarters Selection Board 2016 meeting held at the Army Headquarters Conference Hall at Dhaka Cantonment.
PM’s security advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and senior military officials were present. Hasina, also in charge of the Defence Ministry, asked the Army high-ups to consider seven things, including the belief in the spirit of the Liberation War, leadership, professional efficiency, field-level success, discipline, honesty, trustworthiness, for giving promotions to the officials. Talking about the Liberation War spirit, she said ideologically the country’s independence and its spirit are the basics and major issues for the military. “You always must keep in mind that the leadership in Army should always bestowed upon those who are patriotic and do believe in the spirit of the Liberation War.”
On leadership, she said those officers who have become successful in giving competent leadership in various activities of their military life should be considered for their promotions.
“Officers having improved professional standards must be given preference while giving promotions,” Hasina said adding that the issue of discipline should not be comparable with other things while giving promotions as there will be no compromise when it comes to discipline.
The Prime Minister said the indispensable qualities of a military leader are honesty, trustworthy and loyalty. “Any official having moral strength and honesty surely deserve higher promotion.” The Prime Minister said whenever there was any need during the tenure of the present government, Bangladesh Army stood beside the common people. Referring to the recent incidents of terror attacks in the country, the Prime Minister urged the army officials alongside the common people and guardians to remain alert and cautious against the upsurge of militancy. “There’s no place of militancy in Islam.”
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the Bangladesh Army for successfully completing the 12-minute operation at the Holy Artisan Restaurant in city’s Gulshan area on July 1 freeing some 13 local and foreign nationals from captivity. About gaining the country’s strength in facing any war like situation, Hasina said, “We don’t want to get engaged in war against others, but if we’re forced to do so....then we should surely have such capacity.” Highlighting various steps of her government for the welfare of the Armed Forces including Army, Hasina said that work for implementing the Real Estate Master Plan is going on in light of the Forces Goal-2030 to modernise the Army. She also suggested expanding the operations of ‘Proyash’ in other divisions of Bangladesh Army. The Prime Minister said that work for setting up a riverine Brigade in Mithamain has already been started. “I’m hopeful that Lebukhali Infantry Division will be set up in the south western part of the country within this year. It is also under active consideration of the government to form special force at Brigade level to ensure overall security of the country.” Hasina said the approval has already been given in principle to set up a full-fledged cantonment at Ruma in Bandarban while work has also started setting up cantonment at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar. Besides, work is going on to establish cantonments on both sides of the proposed Padma River to address the accommodation problem of newly formed composite brigade.