UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that her government always works as the servant of the people, not as the ruler, and never spares anybody when the question of corruption arises.
“We never spare anybody when the question of corruption comes; we established the rule of law,” she said, while addressing the graduation ceremony of the Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Mirpur Cantonment.
Sheikh Hasina also said that during her government, Bangladesh got rid of the label of money laundering, corrupt and militant country as the government showed its strong stance against these.
“Recently, our country came out of the grey list of Terrorism Financing of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).” She said that her government wants to build a strong, efficient and modern armed force within its available resources, and assured to do whatever is necessary to this end.
Putting emphasis on advanced training and exercise to attain the goal of the government, the PM said that during its immediate past tenure, her government implemented various development programs under the Forces Goal 2030, which was formulated in light of the Defense Policy 1974 of the Bangabandhu’s government.
“The armed forces are the symbol of independence and sovereignty, and they are discharging their noble responsibilities very well.”
Besides, she said, the members of the patriotic armed forces are also making significant contributions to the fields of tackling natural disasters, construction of infrastructures, socio-economic development, and maintaining law and order in aid of the civil administration.
Hasina mentioned that not only within the country, the members of the armed forces have also earned name and fame in foreign lands by their honesty, dedication and professional efficiency.
She said they’re contributing significantly towards restoring democracy, social development, and health and education in various countries under the emblem of UN mission and their success has brightened the image of Bangladesh.
“In the backdrop of changed security scenario in the present day world, the role of the armed forces has become multi-dimensional,” she said, and asked the Staff College to see that it is reflected realistically in the education and training programs of the armed forces.
Referring to the country’s foreign policy, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh believes in the peaceful resolution of all bilateral, regional and international disputes in all corners of the globe. “Bangladesh is committed to international peace and security, and its standpoint against all kinds of terrorism is very clear,” she said, and hoped that the armed forces would move forward being imbued with that ideal.
Sheikh Hasina said that her government is working round the clock to turn the country into a middle income one by 2021.
She mentioned that per capita income in the country has been raised to 1044 US dollar, the foreign currency reserve surged to 18 billion US dollar and over 6 percent GDP growth is being maintained despite global economic meltdown.
She hoped that if the current pace of development continues, the country would be turned into a front ranking developed one by 2041. About the foreign participants, the Prime Minister hoped that the ties between Bangladesh and their countries would deepen through their participation in the courses at this Staff College.
Terming the foreign participants as the goodwill ambassador of Bangladesh, she requested them to convey the “good wishes of our simple and hospitable people” to their government, the armed forces and countrymen.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, PM’s Special Envoy former president HM Ershad, MP, ministers, PM’s security advisor Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Naval Chief Vice Admiral Farid Habib, Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, PSO of Armed Forces Division, secretaries of different ministries, vice chancellors of different universities, diplomats, and high civil and military officials and their spouses were present on the occasion.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Commandant of the DSCSC Maj Gen Sajjadul Haque gave the welcome address.
This year, a total of 188 officers including 100 officers from Bangladesh Army, 23 from Bangladesh Navy, 21 officers from Bangladesh Air Force, and 44 overseas officers from China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, USA and Zambia have successfully completed DSCSC course this year.
The DSCSC is a tri-services training institution of Bangladesh Armed Forces with a purpose to prepare officers of the three services for the assumption of increasing responsibilities both in command and staff appointment.
