President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday asked the President Guard Regiment to perform duties properly with the utmost devotion to maintaining a 鈥榗hain of command鈥�.
鈥楤e faithful to the chain of command and carry out any responsibility reposed in you properly,鈥� he said while addressing a function as the chief guest at PGR headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment coinciding with its 49th founding anniversary.
The head of state said, 鈥楻emember, any self-sacrifice in fulfilling the great responsibility assigned to you by the country and the nation will make you memorable forever in history.鈥�
The president said, 鈥業n the contemporary global context, security has taken an extensive multi-dimensional form as innovation and expansion of the newer technologies further expanded it. So, you need to flourish knowledge and efficiency in this regard, for which, it requires sophisticated equipment and training.鈥�
Shahabuddin also called on the PGR members to impart training, maintain discipline, focus on self-improvement and above all maintain physical fitness.
The head of the state advised strengthening the existing training programme if necessary to further develop professional skills and reach global standards.
He said as part of a professional army, the PGR should move forward toward a further bright future.
Along with the economic development of the country, Bangladesh鈥檚 founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the PGR on July 5, 1975, to ensure national security and the security of the state鈥檚 most important personalities, he added.
Calling the founding anniversary a special day for every PGR personnel, he said that as members of PGR formed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, they were working for the welfare of the country and the people as well.
鈥業t is undoubtedly a matter of great joy and pride,鈥� the president continued.
Referring to the killings of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on the fateful night of August 15, 1975, he said, 鈥楤ut it is sad but true that only 42 days after the establishment of PGR, Bangabandhu along with his most of the family members were assassinated by the anti-Liberation forces.鈥�
鈥楾hat day we failed to protect the dreamer of our freedom that was our unforgivable sin,鈥� he added.
He said that if the PGR was as well organised and smart as it was today, then maybe the assailant could not have killed the founding president on the night of August 15.
鈥楾he history of development and progress of Bengalis and Bangladesh could have been different if Bangabandhu wasn鈥檛 killed and the country earlier would have become 鈥淪onar Bangla鈥� envisioned by him,鈥� he added.
Lauding the overall activities of the PGR members, the president said that their responsibility was very important and glorious as well.
Over the years, they have enhanced the country鈥檚 image by ensuring the security of many Very Important Persons of the country apart from various state functions, he said.
The government prioritises the overall development of PGR, he said, adding that efforts would continue to make this regiment more integrated and modernized in the days to come.
With the aim of modernising, expanding and strengthening the defense system of the army in the light of Forces Goal-2030, three new divisions, brigades, special works organisations and, 58 small and large units under various formations have been established, he added.
Shahabuddin said that since its inception, the PGR members had set a shining example of self-sacrifice in performing duties with a sense of responsibility, professional excellence, patriotism and devotion.
The reputation of PGR should be spread beyond the borders by carrying out duties properly, he said.
Chief of army staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and PGR commander Brigadier General Khaled Kamal welcomed the president at the PGR Darbar at the Shaheed Captain Hafiz Hall of PGR Headquarters in the Dhaka Cantonment.
Concerned secretaries to the president鈥檚 office and senior military and civil officials were present on the occasion.
The president, also commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces Division, visited the quarter guard and signed the visitor鈥檚 book.
He cuts a cake to mark the founding anniversary there.
