UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said upholding the chain of command is essential in conducting a disciplined force and an effective command channel in the Army can help accomplish any task.
The Prime Minister was addressing a function at the Headquarters of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) at Dhaka Cantonment marking PGR’s 39th founding anniversary.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the PGR on July 5, 1975 to ensure highest security of the VVIPs, including the President and the Prime Minister.
Hasina expressed her firm belief that any task could be done in an efficient, disciplined and effective manner if all guards remain loyal and respectful to their commanders.
She also voiced her optimism that they would be able to march ahead keeping full trust in their leadership and work together with integrity and sincerity in ensuring personal security of the head of state and head of the government maintaining the mentality of self-sacrifice.
In this regard, Sheikh Hasina directed the commanders to give attention always to the subordinates under their commands.
Stressing the need for training the members of the armed forces, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to training as it enhances skills and efficiency as well as helps increase professional knowledge.
Hasina urged them to continue imparting training and professional practice on regular basis and said her government, as a pioneer of digital Bangladesh, wants to ensure utilisation of ICTs in all sectors.
That is why, like other fields and organisations, the PGR is using ICT in discharging their duties which reduced their physical labour a lot on one side and made security measures more effective on the other, she said.
The Prime Minister said, it is really impressive and a matter of pride that the PGR members are discharging their duties with utmost sincerity, trust and obedience in a disciplined manner taking the risk of their lives and braving rains, storms and the scorching sun.
Considering the importance of the most-smart regiment since its inception in 1975, she said, the Awami League-led government has implemented massive programmes for its development, including manpower increase, providing modern military equipment and expansion of other facilities.
Sheikh Hasina said, her government in 1998 introduced guards’ allowance considering the risks of the PGR members on duty, while the posts of the GCOs and Sergeants have been upgraded from April-2014.
The Prime Minister mentioned that her government is determined to materialise the dreams of the Father of the Nation through ensuring overall development of the country as well as modernization of the Armed Forces.
For the purpose, she said, her government in its last two terms implemented massive programmes for the development of the Armed Forces.
As part of the modernisation plan, the government signed an agreement with Russia to buy arms worth one billion US dollars to enhance the capability of the armed forces.
Citing the role of Bangladesh army at the UN peacekeeping mission, the Prime Minister said they have brightened the country’s image and proved their superiority in establishing peace in the international arena through efficiency and relentless works. “The nation and the country feel proud of the Bangladesh Army.”
Prime Minister’s Security Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, the chiefs of the three services, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Haque, PGR Commandant Brigadier General Anwar Sohel Siddiqui and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, on her arrival at the PGR headquarters, the Prime Minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly contingent of the PGR. She later inspected the guard and took salute.
Sheikh Hasina also met the family members of the guard members who embraced martyrdom while performing duty. She also presented gifts to them.
Later, the Prime Minister joined an Iftar hosted by the PGR in her honour.
Before the Iftar, a special munajat was offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation and the eternal peace of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage, including Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as martyrs of the Liberation War.
