Waker-Uz-Zaman takes charge as army chief

General Waker-Uz-Zaman has officially took charge as the new chief of the Bangladesh Army. His tenure as the army chief will last for three years, according to the ISPR.

General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed assumed command of the Bangladesh Army as the 17th chief of army staff on June 24, 2021. General Waker-Uz-Zaman took on the duties of chief of general staff of the Bangladesh Army on January 1.

An alumnus of the Bangladesh Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Infantry Corps on December 20, 1985.

With an illustrious career spanning more than three and a half decades, Lieutenant General Waker brings with him extensive experience in key command, staff, and instructional appointments.

In his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Waker has commanded an infantry battalion, the only independent infantry brigade of the Bangladesh Army, and an infantry division.

His key staff appointments include roles as a staff officer at an infantry brigade, the School of Infantry and Tactics, and army headquarters. He has also been a distinguished instructor at the School of Infantry and Tactics, the Non-commissioned Officers’ Academy, and the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training. Additionally, Lieutenant General Waker served as military secretary at army headquarters.

Prior to joining as the Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army, he served as the principal staff officer for the prime minister in the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Lieutenant General Waker is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, and the Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK. He holds a master’s degree in defence studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a master of arts in defence studies from King’s College, University of London.

As head of the Armed Forces Division, he was directly involved with UN Peacekeeping Affairs of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was also nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate of Bangladesh for UN Peacekeeping Affairs.

By virtue of his appointment as principal staff officer, he also headed the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention as chairman.

Under the blue helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as an observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia), respectively.

As the CGS of the Bangladesh Army, he has been responsible for military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, the budget, and many other aspects of the army. Lieutenant General Waker had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade three consecutive times. He was awarded the coveted Army Medal of Glory (SGP) and Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP) for his remarkable contributions to the modernization of the army.

He frequently serves as a keynote speaker at various seminars and symposiums both at home and abroad. He enjoys games and sports.

He is married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and is blessed with two daughters: Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.