The military will stand by the people in their time of need, says Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says she believes the Bangladesh military will stand by the people and help the government manage state affairs when necessary.

“Whenever the current government will have need of help, the military will stand by the people,” she said at an event inaugurating various military development projects at the Dhaka cantonment on Sunday.

“This is my firm belief. We must remember that our country belongs to us. It belongs to our people.”

The event, attended by officials and personnel from the Dhaka, Mirpur and Postagola cantonments, was broadcast live to eight cantonments across the country via video link.

“Our government does not want to rule the country. It wants to govern and provide service to all of our citizens. We have always received your full cooperation when trying to serve the people.”

The military is an asset of the nation and a symbol of the people’s trust and faith in the country, Sheikh Hasina said.

“And so all of you must perform your duties admirably, maintain social and religious values and lead a good and honest life to preserve the sanctity of your profession.”

“You must also be ready to face any threat, internal or external, to preserve the unity of our sacred constitution and the sovereignty of our people.”

The prime minister expressed her hope that military personnel would respect their leaders and conduct their duties while maintaining trust, sympathy, fraternity, discipline, dutifulness, a sense of responsibility, and, above all, peace.

During his welcoming speech Army Chief Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq congratulated the prime minister on her Global Women’s Leadership Award and the launch of Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1.

“Our country, our people, and our army are honoured to have a skilled, wise and capable leader such as yourself as the head of our government,” he said.

“It is an exceptional achievement for our people.”

The army chief also highlighted several efforts by the Hasina government to develop the armed forces.

“Every member of our armed forces fulfil their duties to protect our nation’s independence and sovereignty and take firm steps to resolve any internal emergency with full confidence in your capable leadership,” he said.