Yunus urges members of Armed Forces to ensure smooth, festive election

NEWS DESK

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the upcoming national election, scheduled for February next year, will mark an important chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

He called upon members of the Armed Forces to carry out their duties with skill and professionalism to ensure a smooth and festive election.

The Chief Adviser made the remarks at a reception marking Armed Forces Day at Senakunja in the afternoon.

As a peace-loving nation, Prof Yunus said, Bangladesh believes in respectful cooperation with all friendly countries.

“However, we must always remain ready and determined to protect the country’s sovereignty from any aggressive external attack,” he added.

To this end, he said, efforts are underway to modernize the army, navy and air force, enhance training, and integrate modern technology into the forces in line with developed countries.

Recalling the joint operation of the Army, Navy and Air Force on this day in 1971, Prof Yunus said their combined efforts against the Pakistani occupation forces paved the way for Bangladesh’s final victory in the Liberation War on December 16, 1971.

He said the contributions of the Armed Forces during the 1971 Liberation War will be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh.

In addition to safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty, Prof Yunus said the Armed Forces have always stood by people during national disasters.

Recalling the formation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces during the 1971 Liberation War, he said that after the atrocities committed by the Pakistani occupation forces on March 25, then-Major (and later President) Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh on March 27 from the Kalurghat Betar Kendra in Chattogram.

He said the Armed Forces also stood by people during the 2024 student uprising and continue to support ongoing national reconstruction and reform efforts.

“I believe the Bangladesh Armed Forces, loyal to democratic and disciplined leadership, will continue this tradition of sacrifice and service for the nation, combining professional skills with patriotism,” Prof Yunus said.

Over the past 37 years, he noted, Bangladesh’s peacekeepers have successfully completed 63 missions in 43 countries.

“At present, our peacekeepers are engaged in 10 missions in different parts of the world,” he added.

Prof Yunus also said Bangladesh is now one of the largest contributors of women peacekeepers and has earned global recognition as a responsible and reliable partner in international efforts for peace and security.

He expressed sincere gratitude to members of the Armed Forces and said efforts must continue to provide timely training and necessary equipment to Bangladeshi peacekeepers so they can effectively operate in challenging and high-risk environments around the world.

He thanked the diplomats stationed in Dhaka and guests from the friendly countries for joining them to celebrate the Armed Forces Day.

“On this occasion, we gratefully recall the contribution of the people of our friendly nations during our War of Liberation. I am also thankful for the excellent training support and assistance provided to our

Armed Forces by your countries,” Prof Yunus said.

“I must mention that it is a unique opportunity and great experience for our troops to work together with the global peacekeepers under the umbrella of the United Nations,” he mentioned.

Prof Yunus assured full support to the United Nations in the global peace efforts by the Armed Forces.

At the outset, he solemnly honoured all martyrs, the wounded, and the valiant freedom fighters of the great Liberation War, as well as the martyrs, injured, and participants of the July–August 2024 student–people’s uprising.

He also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the deaths and injuries caused by house collapses and other incidents triggered by a powerful earthquake that struck several districts of the country.

Discrimination-free, welfare-oriented Bangladesh

Prof Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a discrimination-free, exploitation-free, and welfare-oriented state, a vision cherished by the Freedom Fighters (FFs) who liberated the nation.

“We are committed to fulfilling the dream for which the freedom fighters liberated the country — the dream of building a discrimination-free, exploitation-free, welfare-oriented and free state,” he said.

The Chief Adviser made these remarks while addressing a reception honouring gallantry award-winning freedom fighters and their inheritors, organised by the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of Armed Forces Day 2025.

He said the government seeks to build a Bangladesh where the people are the ultimate source of power and the country is recognised globally as a humane and welfare-oriented state.

On the occasion, Prof Yunus paid deep tribute to the martyrs, freedom fighters, and brave citizens who fought for Bangladesh’s independence.

He prayed for the eternal peace of all martyrs and expressed profound respect to the gallantry award recipients and their family members present at the ceremony.

He also remembered the martyrs of the July 2024 Uprising.

Calling the Liberation War the greatest chapter in the nation’s history, Prof Yunus noted that soldiers, farmers, workers, students, and ordinary citizens had all joined the movement, turning it into a true people’s war.

“We want to remain committed to the valiant freedom fighters, martyrs, injured and living students, and the people so that, by utilising the opportunities they have given us, we can present Bangladesh to the world as an example of democratic transition,” he added.

The Chief Adviser thanked the Armed Forces Division and all involved in organising the reception, and expressed his wishes for peace, prosperity, and well-being for all freedom fighters, their families, and the people of Bangladesh.

CA Meets Khaleda

Prof Yunus and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia had one-to-one meeting on Friday.

Chief Adviser’s press wing said they exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of a program organized at the capital’s cantonment on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.

“Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a one-on-one meeting with BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Senakunja on Friday,” said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

The Chief Adviser inquired about the current physical condition of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and wished her well.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia thanked the Chief Adviser. She inquired about the physical condition of the Chief Adviser’s wife Afrozi Yunus and wished her well.

Khaleda Zia’s youngest daughter-in-law Syeda Sharmila Rahman was present at the time.

Army Chief meets CA

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and his wife Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman met Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the Senakunja in the city.

They met the Chief Adviser on the sidelines of a reception programme there on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day-2025, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

Earlier, the chiefs of the three services paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of Armed Forces Day 2025.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the meeting at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning.

During the meeting, Prof Yunus adorned Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman with the Senabahini Padak (SBP).

On the occasion of Armed Forces Day, he also unveiled the cover of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Training Compendium.

Prior to the meeting, Prof Yunus paid rich tributes to the members of Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice during the Liberation War of 1971.

He laid a wreath at the altar of Shikha Anirban (eternal flame).