By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is going to formulate a specific media policy soon regarding media publicity on army and defence.
At the same time, she said, her government has taken steps to make Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate effective and time-befitting by reconstituting its existing organizational structure.
The Prime Minister said this while presiding over the Formation Commanders’ Conference-2009 of Bangladesh Army at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.
Referring to recent propaganda centering Bangladesh Army in a section of newspapers and TV channels, she said any negative remarks or discussion on army hurt the moral courage of all the military personnel.
In this context, she called upon all army personnel not to be confused with propaganda and expressed the hope that they would discharge their duties vested in them with utmost sincerity and honesty in the greater interest of the nation.
She called upon the army to be united to foil any ill attempt against the beloved motherland by maintaining discipline, unity and fellow feelings within the force.
“You have to take all possible measures to keep moral courage of the army personnel at the highest level removing all the existing problems by identifying those,” she added.
The Prime Minister said historically the army is a disciplined, sincere and patriotic force and the government as well as the people are keeping deep faith in them regarding safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
Terming the army as the pride of the nation, the Prime Minister said her government wants the army remains above all criticism and as a glittering symbol of sovereignty.
She called upon the army to keep up the laurels that they earned both in the national and international arenas by flourishing the country’s historic ideology and military values.
Sheikh Hasina also asked them to take effective steps so that no wrong impression or evil force can hinder their forward march. The Prime Minister requested the army to keep full confidence in the existing law of the land, judicial system and administration.
“The existing process could be time-consuming, but it is possible to achieve sustainable and permanent solution only through this process,” she said.
Referring to her election pledge, Sheikh Hasina said her government is pledge-bound to build a modern and strong army in the country.
“Our main objective is to attain economic prosperity quickly maintaining the country’s internal stability,” she said.
Laying emphasis on taking training to gain professional efficiency, she said there is no alternative to constant exercises for attaining efficiency and professional ability.
Earlier on her arrival at the venue, Chief of Army Staff General Mohammad Abdul Mubeen received the Prime Minister.
Among others, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was present on the occasion.