Armed Forces are being made World Class: PM

  • Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government has taken steps to develop the armed forces, the symbol of Bangladesh's sovereignty, to more advanced and global standards.

She said, armed forces are the symbol of our sovereignty. We have already taken measures to make the armed forces built by my father more advanced and of international standards.

বিজ্ঞাপন

Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing the 49th anniversary of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) Sadar Dafar in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday (July 7) morning.

Referring to the formation of her government in 1996 after twenty-one years, the Prime Minister said, "I took the step of improving the armed forces built by my father and achieving international standards, and also started working in a planned manner with a special focus on the socio-economic development of Bangladesh." .

Sheikh Hasina, after killing the father of the nation with his family in 1975, the military dictatorship and repeated Coup ‘tat and its weight, killing the freedom fighter army officers and being forced to spend 6 years as a refugee in exile, was somehow forced to return to the country when elected as the president of Awami League in 1981. Recalling the context, she also mentioned his first speech on 7th June 1981 during the observance of 6-point day.

"That day I said that I don't want to hear any more widows in the armed forces," she said. I don't want to hear the cry of a fatherless father or a fatherless child. Since then it has been my endeavor to bring back order to those who defend our freedom-sovereignty and make it better and more prosperous. Where there will be peace and not conflict.

Since then there was only one attempt that the country my father made free can never fail.

Highlighting various steps taken by his government to build a modern and up-to-date armed forces, the Prime Minister said, I established the National Defense College and War College in 1998 for better training of our armed forces. Military Institute of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (BIPSOT) in 1999, Armed Forces Medical College was established. Besides, in 2000 measures were taken to include women officers in the army, navy and air force.

She said that the armed forces of Bangladesh at the national and international levels have earned a reputation by performing their duties efficiently.

Referring to the father of the nation's March 7 speech about the construction of the Padma multipurpose bridge with its own funds after overcoming domestic and foreign conspiracies and various adversities, the Prime Minister said that we have proved that Bangladesh is afraid of anyone's bloodshot eyes. We can do it ourselves if we want. No one can pull this country back. We will move forward at an unstoppable speed.

She said, Bangladesh will continue to hold its head high in the world court. Not bowing down to anyone. She also reiterated her strong conviction to build a developed and prosperous golden Bangladesh as well as a 'Smart Bangladesh' equipped with modern technology by the year 2041.

PGR Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal delivered the welcome address on the occasion.

The Prime Minister handed over donations and gifts to the families of the martyred PGR members at the event while performing security duties.

Earlier, the Prime Minister was accorded a guard of honor on her arrival at the PGR headquarters. The Prime Minister also planted a sapling there.