She was addressing the army selection board that began a four-day meeting at the army headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment yesterday.

Defence Secretary Mesbahuddin Ahmed and members of the board were present.

Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury gave a welcome address at the outset of the meeting that will decide promotion of the lieutenant colonels to the rank of colonel and the colonels to brigadier general.

The prime minister said the government has formulated a promotion policy that will ensure uniformity in the promotion of the officers of the three services and help select worthy officers.

She stressed the timely promotion of the competent officers to uphold discipline, skill and professionalism of the army.

"Promotion of deserving officers plays an important role in maintaining chain of command and overall development of the army," she told the meeting of generals, laying emphasis on the policy as the basis of promotion.

The prime minister, also in charge of the Ministry of Defence, said that professional attitude, competence and conduct of an officer should be taken into account for his elevation.

She asked the authorities to be neutral and "rise above everything" in judging an officer's eligibility.

The prime minister hoped that the army officers would continue to perform their responsibility with sincerity and determination.