Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said a disciplined and strong army always played a very helpful role in establishing and integrating democracy in any country.

She said this while inaugurating the “Army Headquarters Selection Board 2018” at Dhaka Cantonment.

The PM asked the generals to select through neutral analysis patriotic and eligible leadership who are imbued with the spirit of the great Liberation War.

“The leadership should be handed over to such eligible officers who are well-educated, active, cautious, intelligent and above all have strong credence to strengthen democracy. The army leadership should be placed in the hands of those who are patriot and believe in the Liberation War," she said.

“Staying above everything and through your analysis ..., you'll have to find qualified leadership having patriotism and belief in the great Liberation War,” Hasina said.

The army has to contribute a lot towards building a modern, developed and prosperous Bangladesh apart from continued democratic and constitutional flow, the PM said.

“For that, the leadership has to be placed to the eligible, skilled, capable and patriotic officers,” she said.

The PM gave a six-point directive to the generals regarding the process of selecting new officers for their promotion.

The directives include believing in the Liberation War spirit, eligible and capable leadership, professional skill, discipline, honesty and loyalty.

Bangladesh does not want any war, but its armed forces, including the army, must have the capability to face any situation, Hasina said.

The government has taken up “Armed Forces Goal 2030” to modernise and develop the army following the policy that was taken by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the PM said.

She briefly described various development programmes, including purchasing of modern equipment, for the development of the army to increase its operational capacity.

The government has undertaken various steps for the development, expansion, and welfare of the army to increase the confidence of its personnel, the PM said.

Besides, steps have been taken for the welfare of the members of the army and their families.

Hasina also expressed satisfaction over the introduction of modern TRACE (Tabulated Record and Comparative Evaluation) method for the promotion of army officials.

Highly praising the army's role in the welfare of people, the PM said members of this force earned universal trust and acceptance through their integrity, efficiency and people-oriented work.

Besides, they set a unique example by extending their helping hands and support towards the people affected by various disasters, she said.

The premier said the army also brightened the image of the country before the world community through their work to help the forcibly displaced Rohingya people of Myanmar.

She also mentioned the role of the army in preparing Machine Readable Passport and constructing various infrastructures in the country's different parts.

In the global arena, Hasina said Bangladesh army members earned international reputation through their glorious role in different UN peacekeeping missions.

The premier mentioned that Bangladesh launched its own satellite and was constructing the Padma Bridge with domestic funds.

She also said the government was establishing 100 economic zones across the country.

Hasina said Bangladesh would surely march forward and become a middle-income country by 2021 as well as a developed and prosperous one before 2041.

Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed delivered the welcome address, while PSO of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman, Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman, Defence Secretary Akhter Hussain Bhuiya and PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present on the occasion.