President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday asked PGR members to ensure foolproof security for the very very important persons (VVIPs) without disrupting the people’s attachment.
“The PGR’s key responsibility is to secure the VVIPs. . . . But keep in mind that the security step doesn’t hamper their public relations and isolate them from people,” he said while addressing a function of President’s Guard Regiment (PGR) at its Darbar Hall at the PGR Headquarters of Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of its 42nd founding anniversary.
The President instructed the members of the PGR to carry out their duties and responsibilities with full confidence and due respect to the force’s chain of command.
Noting that the responsibility bestowed upon the PGR by the nation is a matter of pride, Abdul Hamid said, “Being more efficient and adept in discharging your respective duties, I hope you will uphold the dignity and standard of the regiment and take lesson from the previous history and incidents.”
Referring to glorious history of PGR, the President said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established this prestigious regiment on July 5 in 1975 and since then as an individual and discipline regiment, it has been established as regiment playing outstanding contribution with honesty, professionalism and hard labour.”
He paid homage to the patriotic freedom fighters including soldiers of the PGR who embraced martyrdom in the 1971 War of Liberation saying they will be remembered for their sacrifices.
“There is no alternative to impart training for attaining efficiency in military life. It teaches discipline, professional knowledge, and expertise through which you can be more capable to uphold the image of the regiment,” Hamid observed.
Terming the terrorism and militancy as a global problem, President Hamid said, “As the trend of terrorism is changing across the world with the rapid expansion of science and technology, each PGR member must become skill as well as efficient by imparting time-befitting and quality training to face any situation instantly.”
Later, Abdul Hamid exchanged pleasantries with PGR officials and junior commissioned officers while a smartly turned out contingent of the Guards gave him salute.
The President also signed the visitor’s book, cut a cake and joined a photo session with PGR officials.
Earlier, Prime Minister’s Security Adviser Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, chief of army staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, and PGR Commander Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Harun received the President on his arrival at PGR headquarters.
Secretary concerned and high military and civil officials were also present on the occasion.
