Govt collecting modern war weapons for armed forces: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government is collecting ultra-modern and time-befitting war weapons for each of the armed forces.

"We're working to build the armed forces as professional and powerful as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she said Sunday at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) parade ground in Bhatiary, Chattogram, marking the President Parade of the passing out cadets of the 83rd BMA Long Course.

As the chief guest of the ceremony, she said her government is implementing the Forces Goal-2030 formulated in line with the Defence Policy-1974 by the Father of the Nation to build a time-befitting technology knowledge based military force, reports the BSS.

To make the defence system more strengthened, she said her government has established three infantry divisions, three brigades and 58 small and large units across the country and set up Sheikh Russel Cantonment at Jazira while works are on to build cantonments in Mithamoin, Rajbari and Trishal.

The prime minister reiterated that her government is pursuing establishment of peace across the globe, saying, "We want peace, not war. The Father of the Nation formulated the policy 'Friendship to all, malice to none' and we're following it appropriately."

She asked the new army officer cadets to serve the country and uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation with patriotism.

Referring to Bangabandhu's speech at the concluding ceremony of first batch's training at the BMA on 11 January, 1975, Sheikh Hasina called upon the young military officers to develop them as professionally competent, morally motivated and patriotic.

She extended her best wishes and greetings to all the new officers and said by taking oath they (fresh cadets) are entrusted with serving the country and its people.

Mentioning that Bangladesh army has been able to earn the acclamation of all quarters through their efficiency and professionalism in discharging duties at home and abroad, she urged the new cadets to uphold the dignity.

"We will build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country by 2041 and the new officers will be the soldiers of 2041 who will transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country within the timeframe," she said.

Assuming power after 21 years in 1996, she said that the Awami League government adopted the development and modernisation plan for the Armed Forces.

Earlier, on her arrival at the BMA Parade Ground, the prime minister was received by the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), the Chattogram Area Commander of Bangladesh Army and also GOC of 24th Infantry Division and the BMA Commandant.

The prime minister received salutes and reviewed an impressive march-past as the chief guest at the parade ground.

She was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and BMA Commandant Major General SM Kamrul Hassan while she reviewed the parade riding in an open jeep.

At the function, the passing-out cadets formally took oath.

Battalion Senior Under Officer of the 83rd BMA Long Course Labib Johair Noor Anan received the coveted "Sword of Honour" as the best all-around cadet, while Company Senior Under Officer SM Jahirul Islam Niloy got the "Army Chief Gold Medal" for the best performance in military subjects.

The prime minister handed over the "Sword of Honour" and the "Army Chief Gold Medal" to them for their outstanding performance.