Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the armed forces of the country have attained people’s trust and confidence by standing beside them during any bad time.

“Our armed forces stand by the people in any tough time and they have been able to gain people’s trust today,” she said while addressing the “Prime Minister’s Darbar” at the Dhaka Cantonment.

Sheikh Hasina joined the Darbar after inaugurating the newly constructed multi-storied Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) Bhaban and Senaprangan (Army Central Auditorium) Bhaban in the Dhaka Cantonment by unveiling their name plaques at a ceremony, reports BSS.

The premier said the people lost their trust and faith in the army after August 15, 1975.

“My effort was to restore people’s trust in our army,” she said, mentioning that people’s faith is absolutely essential for the army to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country.

She suggested that an army that failed to earn people’s trust can never win any battle.

The prime minister reiterated that, “Our army today stands by the people and has gained the trust and confidence of the people.”

She said her government is implementing the “Forces Goal-2030” based on the Defense Policy formulated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974 for the armed forces.

“By implementing the Forces Goal, we want our armed forces to be equipped with modern knowledge,” she added.

Referring to the Awami League’s manifesto pledging to build a digital Bangladesh in the 2008 election, she said, “We’re working to develop our armed forces with modern technological knowledge in that way.”

The head of the government said the Bangladesh armed forces are widely acclaimed in the world for their outstanding contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping missions.

Now, her government’s goal is to brighten the image of the armed forces further, she added.

The 14-storey AFIP Bhaban is equipped with the modern laboratory where the latest technology like next generation sequencing, automated microbial identification system, transmission electron microscope and multi-headed microscope were installed to ensure international standard services.

The army central auditorium, Senaprangan, has been constructed for organising various national and international-level events like important meetings, seminars and social events.

The prime minister also planted a sapling (Chatiyan) on the premises of Army Central Auditorium.

National Women Cricket team meets PM

A delegation of Bangladesh women cricketers who are taking part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup-2024, on Sunday met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence.

Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hassan, MP, Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey John Allardice, Bangladesh Women National Cricket Team Captain Nigar Sultana and Indian Women National Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur were part of the delegation, reports BSS.

The prime minister took part in a photo session with the delegation, PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon told a news briefing.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in Bangladesh from October 3 to October 20.

As many as 10 countries including host Bangladesh, current champion Australia, England and India will participate in the tournament.

Bangladesh is hosting the tournament for the second time.

Earlier, Bangladesh hosted the tournament in 2014.