Armed forces will keep our faith: PM

The armed forces will always be able to live up to people’s expectations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hoped.

“Our armed forces have emerged out of an armed struggle for independence. These patriotic personnel have always been fulfilling the people’s expectations.”

“I hope they will continue to maintain our faith in the future.”

The prime minister was making her address after handing out certificates for National Defence Course 2014 and Armed Forces War Course 2014 at the National Defence College on Thursday.

The government, she said, had been working to make the armed forces more skilled and professional. “We have been increasing funds for the army in the national budget.

Seventy-seven who passed defence courses were handed certificates in the morning ceremony.

Twenty-eight Bangladesh Army brigadier generals, four commodores of the Bangladesh Navy, three group captains of the Bangladesh Air Force, eleven from civil service, a police DIG, a director general of the foreign ministry took part in the defence course besides 28 other officers from India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The Armed Forces War Course, on the other hand, had 26 lieutenant colonel from the Army, two captains and three commanders from the Navy besides two group captains and wing commanders from the Air Force.

The prime minister congratulated them on passing out of the courses.

“Advanced training and mutual contact will enhance you and your teams. I believe you can combat all possible challenges with you merits, training and hard work.”

Global connectivity was key to establishing a strong economy, she said.

“But the world is not secure for various reasons. The policies of the international community affect developing countries, so they remain insecure to those impacts from rich nations.”

“It is very important that developing countries strengthen mutual ties to strengthen their economies.”

Bangladesh has played an integral role in solving the security issues that act as barriers against bilateral ties in the South Asian region, she said.