The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday asked the members of President Guards Regiment to always maintain the mentality of making the highest sacrifice in ensuring the personal security of the country’s president and prime minister.
The prime minister came up with the call while addressing a function organised by the President Guards Regiment marking its 40th founding anniversary at its headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment in the afternoon.
She also iterated her government’s plan to set up another full-fledged cantonment in the country’s southwestern region. ‘I also a full-fledged cantonment in the country’s southwestern region as I also hail from the Padma basin,’ said.
About Bangladesh Army’s modernistion, she said a process was underway to procure sophisticated arms, ammunition and other equipment for it as her government is committed to elevate to international standard.
By 2016, Sheikh Hasina said, two FM-90 surface-to-air missile regiments would be inducted in the Bangladesh Army. ‘Main battle tanks, self-propelled gun system, weapon locating radar, anti-tank guided weapon, armored personal carrier and state-of-the-art warcrafts have been inducted to the Bangladesh Army raising its battle strength.’
Hasina said each member of Bangladesh Army was a partner in the country’s march towards development and achievements, including winning the vast maritime areas as well as settling of the Land Boundary Agreement issues with India.
Mentioning that the World Bank has recently declared Bangladesh as a lower middle-income country, she said the country would not remain at the lower ladder as they want to take to it the highest ladder.
She also directed the PGR members to go ahead keeping firm confidence in their leadership and perform responsibilities to establish Bangladesh Army as a dignified force before the world.
The prime minister also asked all the PGR commanders to take care of their subordinates saying effective command channel plays a key role in resolving any problem within the army.
Noting that as head of the government, she has the close relations with the regiment, Hasina said the members of the force perform their responsibly with utmost trustworthiness, loyalty, discipline and professionalism.
She said it was the Awami League government which first introduced ‘Guards Allowance’ in 1998 considering the risk of the PGR members.
The prime minister said her government gave an independent status to this traditional organisation on April 8 in 2013.
She said the government was forming new divisions in Bangladesh. ‘The 17 Infantry Division at Jalalabad Cantonment and 99 Composite Brigade has been formed for the construction of the relevant infrastructure for the Padma Bridge and its security,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has established 10 Infantry Division at Ramu and under it, an artillery brigade, one infantry brigade, one artillery unit and two infantry battalions were constituted.
The prime minister said the construction work of a barrack for 150 members of the regiment has begun at Ganabhaban. ‘I hope it will solve your longstanding housing problems to a great extent,’ she said.
Illustrating her government strides for the development of Bangladesh Army, the prime minister said the government has framed the Forces Goal-2030 and development of army is being made according to the Forces Goal.
The prime minister said inclusion of the female soldiers at the Army Medical Corp has increased the capacity of women at Bangladesh Army while there has been modernisation of Combined Military Hospitals with incorporation of modern medical equipment, appointment of skilled and experienced physicians through which the Army and the PGR members are getting better treatment.
Acting Commandant of the PGR Colonel Md Jahangir Harun delivered the welcome address at the function.
Prime minister’s security affairs adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, chiefs of the three services, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division as well as high civil and military officials were present.
Later, the prime minister joined an iftar party hosted in her honour by the PGR.
Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of the PGR guards. She took salute and inspected the guards.
Sheikh Hasina also met the family members of the PGR members who were martyred on duty, and provided them financial assistance and gifts.
The prime minister came up with the call while addressing a function organised by the President Guards Regiment marking its 40th founding anniversary at its headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment in the afternoon.
She also iterated her government’s plan to set up another full-fledged cantonment in the country’s southwestern region. ‘I also a full-fledged cantonment in the country’s southwestern region as I also hail from the Padma basin,’ said.
About Bangladesh Army’s modernistion, she said a process was underway to procure sophisticated arms, ammunition and other equipment for it as her government is committed to elevate to international standard.
By 2016, Sheikh Hasina said, two FM-90 surface-to-air missile regiments would be inducted in the Bangladesh Army. ‘Main battle tanks, self-propelled gun system, weapon locating radar, anti-tank guided weapon, armored personal carrier and state-of-the-art warcrafts have been inducted to the Bangladesh Army raising its battle strength.’
Hasina said each member of Bangladesh Army was a partner in the country’s march towards development and achievements, including winning the vast maritime areas as well as settling of the Land Boundary Agreement issues with India.
Mentioning that the World Bank has recently declared Bangladesh as a lower middle-income country, she said the country would not remain at the lower ladder as they want to take to it the highest ladder.
She also directed the PGR members to go ahead keeping firm confidence in their leadership and perform responsibilities to establish Bangladesh Army as a dignified force before the world.
The prime minister also asked all the PGR commanders to take care of their subordinates saying effective command channel plays a key role in resolving any problem within the army.
Noting that as head of the government, she has the close relations with the regiment, Hasina said the members of the force perform their responsibly with utmost trustworthiness, loyalty, discipline and professionalism.
She said it was the Awami League government which first introduced ‘Guards Allowance’ in 1998 considering the risk of the PGR members.
The prime minister said her government gave an independent status to this traditional organisation on April 8 in 2013.
She said the government was forming new divisions in Bangladesh. ‘The 17 Infantry Division at Jalalabad Cantonment and 99 Composite Brigade has been formed for the construction of the relevant infrastructure for the Padma Bridge and its security,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has established 10 Infantry Division at Ramu and under it, an artillery brigade, one infantry brigade, one artillery unit and two infantry battalions were constituted.
The prime minister said the construction work of a barrack for 150 members of the regiment has begun at Ganabhaban. ‘I hope it will solve your longstanding housing problems to a great extent,’ she said.
Illustrating her government strides for the development of Bangladesh Army, the prime minister said the government has framed the Forces Goal-2030 and development of army is being made according to the Forces Goal.
The prime minister said inclusion of the female soldiers at the Army Medical Corp has increased the capacity of women at Bangladesh Army while there has been modernisation of Combined Military Hospitals with incorporation of modern medical equipment, appointment of skilled and experienced physicians through which the Army and the PGR members are getting better treatment.
Acting Commandant of the PGR Colonel Md Jahangir Harun delivered the welcome address at the function.
Prime minister’s security affairs adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, chiefs of the three services, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division as well as high civil and military officials were present.
Later, the prime minister joined an iftar party hosted in her honour by the PGR.
Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of the PGR guards. She took salute and inspected the guards.
Sheikh Hasina also met the family members of the PGR members who were martyred on duty, and provided them financial assistance and gifts.
Source: New Age