Draft National Defence Policy gets reviewed, awaits cabinet nod

The draft National Defence Policy is now ready to go to the cabinet for consideration as it was reviewed today at a meeting at the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, briefing reporters after the meeting.

He said Commandant of the National Defence College Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy presented the draft National Defense Policy at the meeting, while Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Md Mahfuzur Rahman gave the welcome address.

Ihsanul Karim said that the draft of the National Defense Policy would now be presented before the cabinet for its consideration.

Speaking at the meeting, the premier said that her government has been implementing the 'Forces Goal 2030' in the light of the defence policy framed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"We believe in peace and we don't want to engage in war. But we'll have to remain always prepared so that we could give a befitting reply, if we're attacked," she said.

Spelling out her government's steps to strengthen the armed forces, she said "Our responsibility is to safeguard the independence and sovereignty of the country."

The prime minister said that Bangladesh is now moving ahead and would continue to move.

"Bangladesh is now being regarded as a dignified nation and a role model of development across the world," she added.

Ministers, the chiefs of the three services, secretaries concerned and other high civil and military officials attended the meeting.

Source: BSS