Reza Mahmud and Abu Jakir :
General Waqar-uz-Zaman, the Chief of the Bangladesh Army, has pledged unwavering support for the interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, as it implements crucial reforms aimed at holding elections within the next 18 months.
Speaking to Reuters in a recent interview, the Army Chief emphasised his commitment to standing by Yunus to ensure the completion of these reforms, regardless of the challenges.
“I will stand by him, no matter what, so that he can complete his program,” said General Zaman, highlighting his firm stance on the need for reform and his desire to ensure a smooth transition to a democratic process within the stipulated time.
The Army Chief’s comments come amid a series of reform initiatives launched by the interim government following the resignation of fascist Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5. One of the main opposition parties, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has since been urging for elections to be held sooner, putting pressure on the government to hasten the process.
The interim government has established six commissions to oversee reforms in key areas such as the Election Commission, the judiciary, and law enforcement. These commissions are expected to begin their work in October, with final reports due by January 1.
BNP Welcomes Army Chief’s Remarks
BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir responded positively to the Army Chief’s remarks about holding elections within 18 months. “The sooner the election, the better it is for the nation,” Fakhrul stated, adding that public participation in the reform process is critical, and timely elections are the way forward.
BNP Vice Chairman Mohammad Shahjahan also praised General Zaman’s statement, highlighting the need for the next general election to occur after completing necessary reforms.
“I appreciate his statement, as the country’s people are eagerly waiting for elections. The people have been deprived of their voting rights in the last three elections under Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime,” he told The New Nation.
Shahjahan further expressed his belief that it would benefit the country if elections were held within the proposed 18-month timeframe, or even a little later, if necessary, to ensure thorough reforms are implemented.
JAMAAT’S REACTION
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has taken a more cautious approach. A source within the party revealed that the Army Chief’s comments would be reviewed in an upcoming party meeting.
Jamaat’s spokesperson, Motiur Rahman Akond, acknowledged that the party’s leadership had previously stated their support for reforms before elections.
“The Chief has spoken in the broader context, and we align with the idea of completing critical reforms before elections,” Akond said.
Army Chief’s Vision for Democratic Transformation During his interview, General Zaman stressed the importance of a democratic transition within one to one-and-a-half years but called for patience during this period.
“If you ask, that should be the time frame to enter a democratic process,” he remarked, outlining a realistic timeline for the nation’s return to full democratic rule.
The Army Chief also noted that he has a strong working relationship with Chief Adviser Yunus, meeting with him weekly.
He affirmed that the military’s role is to support the government’s efforts to stabilise the country, adding, “I am confident that if we work together, there is no reason for failure.”
The backdrop to these remarks is the unrest that swept through Bangladesh last July, with violent protests arising from movements against public service quotas. These demonstrations escalated into anti-government rallies, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, particularly in Dhaka.
Although calm has since returned to the capital, parts of the civil service and law enforcement sectors remain in disarray, with the military taking on the role of maintaining law and order across the nation.
Despite the military’s active involvement in maintaining stability, General Zaman was firm in his position that the Army would not interfere in political matters. “I will not do anything that harms my force.
I am a professional soldier, and I want to keep the Army professional,” he said.He also mentioned that some military personnel who acted outside their responsibilities under the previous administration have been disciplined. However, he refrained from providing further details on the actions taken.
LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE MILITARY
Looking ahead, General Zaman expressed a long-term vision for keeping the military separate from political structures.
He suggested that future constitutional reforms might see the armed forces reporting directly to the President, rather than being under the Prime Minister’s control via the Ministry of Defence, as is currently the case.
“Military institutions should never be used for political interests, and soldiers should not be involved in politics,” Zaman concluded, reiterating his commitment to maintaining the professionalism and neutrality of the Bangladesh Army.