Army ready to assist government in free and fair elections: Army Chief

Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has said that the army has made all kinds of preparations to assist the government in arranging free, fair and impartial elections.

He said: "This time the army is performing its duties in the field for a long time, which was not the case in the past. Therefore, he called for maintaining good relations with the people and removing the distance."

The Army Chief said this while addressing the army members at the 'Officers' Address' programme at the Dhaka Cantonment on Tuesday (August 19) morning.

At this time, senior officers were present in person and officers from all army establishments of the country joined virtually.

He said that the people of the country are now looking at the army. Therefore, the army members should be motivated by patriotism and keep the chain of command of the force intact.

Regarding various criticisms surrounding the army, he said: "There is nothing to be unhappy with these comments. Those who are doing this are young, the age of our children. When they grow up, they will understand their mistakes and then they will be ashamed."

Stressing on professionalism, the Army Chief said that no one should engage in any vindictive act while performing their duties. The Army is a professional organization, so professionalism should be the first identity of everyone.

Without disclosing his name, he said that an army member's allegations of being associated with a political party are under investigation. If proven, action will be taken against him. Army members are not allowed to be involved in political activities. Similarly, an investigation is underway against an officer for abusing women.

He said that no concessions will be made in cases of moral lapses, but no action will be taken on the basis of a media trial in any case of an allegation.

Addressing senior officers, the Army Chief also said that the state spends a huge amount of money to develop an army officer. Therefore, those in charge should take care from the beginning that no one gets involved in crime. Sending them home after committing a crime will only be a waste of state money.