Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said members of the Armed Forces always stand by the people at home and abroad while discharging their professional duties.
"Each of our forces always stands by the people alongside protecting the country's independence," she said, addressing the 48th founding anniversary program of the President Guard Regiment (PGR), as the chief guest, at its headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment, on Wednesday.
The members of the forces not only stand by and serve the people at home but also in peacekeeping missions abroad apart from performing their duties with professionalism and dedication, she said.
"Due to their humanitarian gesture, they get honour from the general public. I feel very proud when heads of states and governments praise Bangladeshi peacekeepers.”
The prime minister extended her greetings and congratulations to all members of the PGR on the occasion of its founding anniversary.
ISPRSheikh Hasina said that as the head of government, she has witnessed the PGR very closely and she is impressed with their work, responsibility and devotion.
She said she knew that the regiment personnel always do their duty sincerely with professionalism, loyalty and discipline.
“The sincere accomplishment of your duties, braving adverse weather conditions, including storm and rain, is highly appreciated. It is my expectation that you will work with honesty and patriotism to maintain this reputation.”
Sheikh Hasina said her government first introduced risk allowances for the PGR considering the risks the guards face.
She said the government has already addressed the housing problem by creating a barrack adjacent to Ganabhaban and constructing a 14-storey building for the guards' family.
Bangabandhu formulated the PGR on July 5, 1975.
ISPRThe prime minister said Bangabandhu developed all the forces appropriate for an independent and sovereign country on his own initiative.
Referring to various measures taken by her government for the overall development of the Armed Forces, she said: "We have transformed all the forces into international standard ones."
The forces have been made capable so that they can march ahead keeping pace with the global forces, particularly in peacekeeping missions abroad where they work with other world forces, she added.
She said her government has been implementing Forces Goal 2030 after formulating it in line with the Defence Policy of 1974 formulated by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make the Armed Forces modern and time-befitting.
Referring to the false allegations of corruption by the World Bank, she said the government constructed the Padma Bridge with its own resources.
ISPRAs recognition of development and progress, Bangladesh has already achieved the developing country status from the LDCs, she said.
"We are building the country in such a way that we never need to go ahead depending on others. We wish the advancement of the country will be continued in the days to come," she said.
The development partners do not give many conditions like in the previous years after the construction of the Padma Bridge with their own finances, she added.
The prime minister reiterated her commitment to making Bangladesh a developed, prosperous and smart country by 2041 free from hunger and poverty as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
On her arrival at the venue, Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed and PGR Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal welcomed the prime minister.
ISPRShe exchanged pleasantries with all officers and junior commissioned officers walking around the venue.
Later, the prime minister cut a cake to mark the founding anniversary of the PGR.
She also distributed gifts among the family members of the deceased and PGR members severely injured while discharging VVIP duty.
