POBNEWS24, Dhaka May 21, 2025 : Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar Uz Zaman is reported to have discussed various issues of the current Yunus government at a courtesy call with officers at the army headquarters on Wednesday. Speaking at the meeting, he said,
The current government does not have the authority to take sensitive and risky decisions like humanitarian corridor!
He said that only an elected political government can take such a decision by following the proper procedure. He also said that the government is not clearly stating what it thinks about the corridor or whether it is pushing the nation towards a “proxy war”. In response to a question from an officer in the later part of the program, he clearly said, “There will be no corridor”.
All army officers deployed in all cantonments and UN missions of the country, except those on duty, attended the program. In the first part, the Army Chief addressed the officers at 10:30 am for about 30 minutes and then answered the officers’ questions for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
In general, the Army Chief seemed quite tired, a little disappointed and unusually excited.
In his initial speech, the Army Chief congratulated all the members of the army for working tirelessly and fulfilling their responsibilities towards the country. However, he expressed disappointment about the overall situation including peace and order in the country for various reasons.
He also mentioned that anarchy prevails in the country overall and the situation is deteriorating further with time. All the institutions including law enforcement agencies, civil administration have collapsed and are not being able to be reorganized. He mentioned that only the armed forces have survived and are working to maintain the stability of the country.
The Army Chief expressed disappointment stating that despite the tireless and selfless role of the army in maintaining the overall situation in the country stable since August 5th till today, the army and the army chief are being targeted from various quarters.
He further mentioned that domestic and foreign vested interests are going to further deteriorate the situation so that they can fish in troubled waters to save their interests.
He mentioned that the army has not taken any statement in the report prepared by the UN on July-August. He further said that when he contacted the UN on this issue, he came to know that even though the UN wanted to contact the army, the current government did not give the UN that opportunity.
He expressed disappointment that he and the army, along with the countrymen, are not aware of what decisions the government is taking or how it is taking on various nationally important issues including reforms. Later, in response to a question, he mentioned that he has repeatedly requested the government for the necessary reforms from the first day. However, the government is not really serious about such reforms.
He mentioned that the current government does not have the authority to take sensitive and risky decisions like the humanitarian corridor. He said that only an elected political government can take such decisions by following the proper procedure. He also said that the government is not clearly stating what it is thinking about the corridor or whether it is pushing the nation towards a “proxy war”. In response to a question from an officer in the later part of the program, he clearly said, “There will be no corridor”.
Similarly, the army chief mentioned that this government does not have the authority to take any decision regarding the Chittagong Sea Port.
Stating that garment factories are closing down one after another, he said that the government has no concern in this matter either.
The army chief mentioned that in the meeting held on the night of May 20, 2025, he was asked by the government whether any secret meeting had taken place in the army building the previous night. In this context, he said that “the army chief can organize a meeting at any time for the sake of the assigned duties and besides, there is no need for him to hold any conspiratorial meeting due to the constitutional rights given to the army chief”.
The army chief said that the Bangladesh Army will not do anything that will harm the country and the people and will not allow anyone to do such a thing.
He mentioned several times that he has been without a guardian as the army chief for the last nine months. In this regard, he said that, “I am looking at political leaders for an elected political government like a Chatak bird. An elected government will act as a guardian for the army and as a result, the overall situation in the country will be stable.”
He mentioned that there is a need to transfer power to a political government through an acceptable election as soon as possible. He also instructed the army to be honest and impartial in the upcoming elections and perform its due duties.
For such a long time, army members have been deployed to maintain peace and order, which is damaging the country’s defense system as a whole. Therefore, he mentioned that the army will be withdrawn to the barracks as soon as possible after an elected government takes power. He mentioned that if this is not done, Bangladesh’s defense system will be at great risk in the current world situation and the situations arising in neighboring regions.
The army chief instructed everyone to perform the assigned duties with utmost dedication and loyalty. Later, in response to a question from an officer, he instructed them to work specifically to protect the rights of the oppressed and not to shed tears of the oppressed.
An officer mentioned that although the history of Bangladesh from 1947 to 1971 was taught in a small way, it was not sufficient. The officer also mentioned that it is necessary for officers to acquire knowledge about the history of Bangladesh after 1971. The army chief agreed on this.
An officer expressed the opinion that it is necessary to have proper representation of the army in decision-making on reform activities. However, the army chief did not express any specific opinion on this matter.
Referring to the Sahojoddha platform, an officer proposed to inform the nation about the crimes of dismissed army members through ISPR. The Army Chief mentioned that such steps have not been taken so far as Allah Almighty has instructed to keep the sins of others secret. However, he mentioned that such measures can be taken if this matter crosses the limit of tolerance. Finally, the Army Chief instructed everyone to remain united and inspired by the ideals of duty and patriotism. The Army Chief mentioned that if one is steadfast in one’s position and ideals, no group will be able to harm the army and the country.
