PM Tarique Rahman Calls for Merit-Based Promotions in Armed Forces
Published : 18:01, 23 August 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for promotions of armed forces officers to be determined above political ideology and personal preferences. He instructed members of the selection boards to prioritise professional competence, leadership qualities, discipline, integrity, loyalty, allegiance and overall suitability for appointment.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards-2026 at Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday morning.
The prime minister said the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force make important contributions not only to safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty, but also to maintaining internal peace and stability and assisting civilian authorities in disaster response. He thanked the chiefs and all members of both forces for their service and sacrifice.
At the beginning of his speech, he remembered former president Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, the martyrs of the Liberation War, wounded freedom fighters and decorated war veterans. He also referred to those killed and injured in movements for democracy and rights at different times, including the 2024 mass uprising.
Later, the prime minister visited several key Air Force operational facilities. He unveiled a commemorative plaque for the Air Defence System Integration (ADSI) at the Air Defence Operations Centre and observed its activities.
He also visited the Air Command Operations Centre and the Aerospace Research and Development Complex. Various unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Bangladesh Air Force—including drones, kamikaze drones, interceptor drones and VTOL platforms—were displayed during the visit.
The prime minister said the development of modern aerial systems through indigenous technological capabilities would represent an important step toward research, innovation and technological self-reliance for the Bangladesh Air Force.
The prime minister’s defence adviser, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and other senior armed forces officials were present.
