PM Hasina: Armed Forces being made global standard

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government has taken measures to make the armed forces more developed and a global standard, as they are the symbol of Bangladesh's sovereignty.

"Armed forces are a symbol of our sovereignty; we have already taken steps to improve the armed forces, which were formed by my father, to a more developed and international standard," she said.

The premier was addressing as the chief guest a program marking the 49th founding anniversary of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) at its headquarters inside Dhaka Cantonment.

She said her government is transforming the armed forces into a modern force with global standard arms, ammunition, vehicles, and required equipment, along with giving proper training to its personnel at home and abroad.

She also said that she had built the National Defence College in 1998 to provide the armed forces personnel with modern and improved training after assuming office for the first time in 1996.

To this end, she said they built the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) in 1999.

The premier also added that they have built armed forces medical colleges and recruited women to the forces for the first time in 2000.

She continued that they are implementing the Armed Forces Goal-2030 in line with the Defence Policy formulated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974.

Bangladesh believes in peace, and its armed forces are contributing the most to the UN peacekeeping missions, she said.

The Bangladeshi peacekeepers have won the hearts of the people of those countries where they work to establish peace, she added.

"So, I am really very proud of you," she continued.

The prime minister thanked the PGR personnel as they ensured security for her defying storm and rain risking their lives and prayed for their safety, security, and wellbeing.

"I know my life is full of risks. They, who have come to secure my life, are also taking risks," she said.

She added that the PGR personnel are performing their professional duties with honesty, dedication, dutifulness, and professionalism.

Considering their risk in performing the duties, the premier said her government had introduced risk allowances for the PGR personnel in 1998.

She continued that her government had launched Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the PGR, alongside increasing its manpower to enhance its operational capability.

The PGR men were being imparted training at home and abroad to enhance their professional excellence, she said.

PGR Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal delivered the welcome address at the function.

In the event, the prime minister handed over the donations and gifts to the families of martyred PGR members who lost their lives while performing their duties.

Source: BSS