Promotions, retirement benefits awarded to Gen Azmi, 149 former military officers

Authorities say the officers faced “deprivation, injustice and vengeance” under Awami League rule

The government has granted retrospective promotions or normal retirement status to 150 former officers of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force who were retired, removed, discharged or dismissed from service.

The defence ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the officers will also receive arrears of salary and allowances, along with other financial benefits.

Former brigadier general Abdullahil Aman Azmi, son of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and convicted war criminal Ghulam Azam, is among those covered by the decision.

The authorities said the move followed a review that found the officers had faced “deprivation, injustice and vengeance” during Awami League rule between 2009 and Aug 4, 2024.

Of the officers, 115 are from the Army, 21 from the Navy and 14 from the Air Force.

Former brigadier general Azmi was forced into compulsory retirement on Jun 24, 2009. The interim government reversed the decision in December 2024, months after the Awami League was ousted in the mass uprising.

The Muhammad Yunus-led administration entitled him to “premature (compulsory) retirement” from Jun 24, 2009.

And now during the BNP government, he has been given retrospective promotion to the rank of major general from Dec 26, 2011 and to the rank of lieutenant general from Dec 26, 2014.

He will get the arrears of salary and allowances of both the posts, other financial benefits as per the rules, a special financial incentive of Tk 10 million and the opportunity to be posted in government or autonomous institutions depending on age and qualifications.

Former Special Security Force director general Maj Gen Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi is also on the promotion list. He will be sent on normal retirement.