Army to be modernised: PM

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CHITTAGONG, Oct 12 (BSS): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina today said that Bangladesh Army would be provided with everything necessary for its modernisation. "The present government believes in development, expansion and modernisation of Bangladesh Army. To achieve the goal, all necessary steps are being taken and . . . everything necessary for building a modern army will be given in future," she said. Addressing a 'darbar' of the members of Bangladesh Army at Chittagong Cantonment, the PM said as head of the government she has given the army as much as possible according to her capabilities. Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan was present on the occasion. Sheikh Hasina said her government if voted to power would continue the reform and reorganising activities at different levels of Bangladesh Army. She urged every member of the army to keep him or her always ready by remaining united for protecting the sovereignty of the country. "It is my belief that you would brighten the image of the homeland through your own consideration, professional skill and dutifulness and you would enhance your reputation on the world stage meaning the UN Peacekeeping Missions," she hoped. The PM said the main driving force of the army is faith in leadership, mutual trust, sympathy, brotherhood, dutifulness, responsibility and discipline. I have firm belief that the members of Bangladesh Army would work with utmost integrity to accomplish their responsibility by maintaining these virtues, she said. Sheikh Hasina said father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had laid the foundation of strong armed forces for independent Bangladesh and formulated the Defence Policy 1974.