Armed forces’ true strength lies in public trust: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to maintain discipline, professionalism and public trust in the armed forces, alongside developing modern defence capabilities. At the same time, he has called for making the country clean, green and beautiful through proper planning and goodwill.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the National Standard to several battalions and regiments of the Bangladesh Army at Savar Cantonment on Sunday, the Prime Minister said the true strength of the armed forces is not limited to weapons, equipment or manpower; rather, its core strength lies in discipline, efficiency, leadership, morality, training and public trust.

He said the use of cyber technology, drones, artificial intelligence and information-based capabilities is increasing in modern warfare. Therefore, defence preparedness must be strengthened in line with the changing security situation. He also emphasized the need to develop a domestic defence industry to produce the country's necessary weapons, ammunition and other defence equipment locally.

The Prime Minister said members of the armed forces must perform their duties with a commitment to the Constitution, laws, military regulations and humanitarian values. The government is also working to ensure housing, healthcare, education, training and social security after retirement for members of the forces. He also mentioned the progress in implementing the 'One Rank, One Pension' system.

Recalling the history of the Bangladesh Army, Tarique Rahman highlighted Major Ziaur Rahman's role in the 1971 Liberation War. He also praised the armed forces' contributions to national disaster management and United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister's Defence Adviser, retired Brigadier General A K M Shamsul Islam; Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman; Major General Molla Mohammad Kamruzzaman, General Officer Commanding of the 9th Infantry Division; along with ministers, state ministers, members of parliament and senior military officials.

Earlier, on his way back to Dhaka from Savar Cantonment, the Prime Minister inaugurated a greening and beautification programme along both sides of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Aminbazar. He also planted a sapling on the occasion.

Tarique Rahman said that with proper planning and goodwill, any area could be transformed into a clean, green and beautiful place. The visible changes in Aminbazar over the past two months are proof of this, he said. He also remarked that the initiative had improved the environment for local residents and increased their opportunity to breathe fresh air.

Seeking cooperation from local residents to preserve the area's beauty, the Prime Minister said that although the government had taken initiatives to improve the environment, maintaining it was everyone's responsibility. Elected representatives, the administration, local residents and factory owners must work together to resolve pollution and waste management problems.

He instructed the authorities to expand greening programmes to other areas of Dhaka district alongside Aminbazar and to develop plans for improving places where waste accumulates. The Prime Minister also called on administrators of other districts to undertake similar initiatives.

BNP Standing Committee Member and local Member of Parliament Amanullah Aman, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku were present on to occasion.