PM Tarique Rahman opens 2026 selection boards for Navy, Air Force

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday (August 23) inaugurated the 2026 Selection Boards of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force, stressing that promotions must be based solely on merit, competence and professionalism.

The prime minister opened the boards at a ceremony at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday (August 23).

Tarique instructed the authorities responsible for selecting officers for promotion to keep personal likes and dislikes, as well as political affiliations or ideology, completely out of the process.

He said officers should be selected for promotion strictly on the basis of their qualifications, efficiency and professional conduct.

At the ceremony, the prime minister praised the contributions of the Navy and Air Force to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty. He also highlighted their role in maintaining internal peace and stability and assisting the civilian administration during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Tarique thanked the chiefs and members of both forces for their sacrifices and service to the country, while stressing the need to further strengthen Bangladesh's defence capabilities in the national interest.

He called for the armed forces to be developed into more modern, technology-driven, capable and disciplined forces in line with changing national and global security challenges. He also emphasised greater use of modern technology and further strengthening the professional capabilities of the services.

Earlier, Tarique was received at Air Force Headquarters by Defence Adviser retired Brigadier General Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.

After inaugurating the selection boards, the prime minister also visited several key operational installations of the Bangladesh Air Force.