The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has asked the senior army officials to consider professional efficiency, the spirit of the liberation war, leadership, discipline, honesty, trust worthiness and loyalty as the criteria for promotion.
She made the directive while inaugurating the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2012 at the Officers’ Mess (new) at the Army Headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday.
The prime minister formally inaugurated the five-day board in the morning.
Hasina said a disciplined and strong army could play a very supportive role in establishing and consolidating democracy of a country.
‘So, leadership should be handed over to those who are well educated, able for work, aware and intelligent, and above all firmly committed to strengthening democracy,’ she said.
Hasina asked the army officials to find out new able leadership, who are patriotic and believe in the spirit of great liberation war, through neutral analysis.
Hasina told the senior most army officials that she had the full confidence in their prudence, judgment and righteous. ‘I hope that you’ll be able to find out able leadership on the basis of principles and justice by keeping yourselves above personal liking and disliking,’ she said.
She mentioned that a strong, disciplined, well educated and professional army equipped with modern technology was the symbol of national independence and sovereignty.
‘The Awami League government believes in development, expansion and modernisation of the army. That’s why we always take effective steps to develop the armed forces,’ she said.
Hasina said the AL always ran the country as the servant not the ruler. To serve people, she mentioned, her government always got cooperation from them. ‘This is my firm belief that we’ll get you beside people whenever needed,’ she said.
An ISPR release said a decision will be taken through the board for the promotion of the army officers from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General and Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.
‘The board comprising officers of the highest policymaking level of the army would be given promotion to the efficient and skilled officers for future senior leadership of the Bangladesh Army,’ the release said.
Earlier, on her arrival at the Army Headquarters, the prime minister was received by her defence adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddique, a retired Major General, chief of army staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Abdul Wadud.