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Terming the next national elections a crucial chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic transition, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday expressed the hope that the members of the Armed Forces would perform their duties with utmost efficiency and professionalism to make the elections smooth and festive.

‘The forthcoming election will be regarded as an important chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic transition. I firmly believe that the elections will be held in a seamless and festive manner. To arrange this election, members of the armed will discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and expertise,’ he said.

The chief adviser made the remarks while addressing a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day-2025.

Recalling the contribution of the armed forces, Professor Yunus said since the independence of the country, the armed forces have been working, standing by the people, in nation building and tackling disasters alongside protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.

‘The armed forces, as always, are continuously reciprocating the trust of the country’s citizens by standing by the people during the 2024 student-people uprising and in the ongoing state reconstruction and reform efforts,’ he said.

‘I believe that the Bangladesh Armed Forces, loyal to democratic and disciplined leadership, will maintain this continuity of sacrifice and activity for the country with a combination of their professional skills and patriotism,’ the chief adviser added.

At the beginning of his speech, Yunus profoundly recalled and paid tributes to all the martyrs, wounded and valiant freedom fighters of the Great Liberation War and also the martyrs, injured and participants of the 2024 July–August student-people’s uprising.

Recalling the formation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces on the battlefield in 1971, he said after the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on March 25 in 1971, the then major and later president Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh on March 27 from Chittagong’s Kalurghat Betar Kendra.

He noted that on 21 November 1971, the army, navy and air force launched joint operations against occupation forces — a milestone now commemorated every year as Armed Forces Day.

In continuation of that, the chief adviser said, on November 21, the army, navy and air force jointly started fighting against the Pakistani forces. ‘Therefore, November 21 is celebrated with pride as a milestone in the Liberation War.’

He emphasised that had victory not been achieved, ‘these brave soldiers would have faced certain death and their families’ unbearable sufferings.’

Yunus praised the courage of members of army, navy and air force who without regard for their lives or their families’ futures, jumped into the war, inspiring civilians to join the resistance by land, river and air.

Referring to the national defence, Yunus said Bangladesh believes in respectful coexistence with all friendly nations but ‘must remain prepared and determined to defend sovereignty against any aggressive external threat.’

He noted that while the capacity enhancing of the armed forces was neglected during ‘fascist rule,’ the interim government has undertaken extensive measures to modernise the army, navy and air force, including weapons acquisition, domestic production, advanced training, and technological upgrades. 

The chief adviser said that the government has taken a policy decision to significantly expand BNCC activities to involve large numbers of students and youth in national defence and welfare initiatives.

Highlighting international contributions, he said Bangladesh’s peacekeepers have completed 63 missions in 43 countries over the past 37 years, and continue to serve in 10 missions till now.

The chief adviser also said that Bangladesh is also recognised as one of the largest contributors of women peacekeepers. He stressed on continued efforts to provide peacekeepers with timely training and essential equipment to operate effectively in challenging environments.

Addressing the guests from Bangladesh’s friendly countries, who joined the Armed Forces Day celebration event, Professor Yunus said, ‘We gratefully recall the contribution of the people of our friendly nations during our War of Liberation’.

The chief adviser assured of providing full support to the United Nations in the global peace efforts by Bangladesh Armed Forces. 

Earlier, chiefs of the three services paid a courtesy call on chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of the day.

Chief of army staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of naval staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and chief of air staff air chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan joined the meeting at the armed forces division at Dhaka Cantonment in the morning, confirmed chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

During the meeting, Yunus adorned army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman with the Senabahini Padak. On the occasion, he also unveiled the cover of Bangladesh Armed Forces ‘Training Compendium’ there.

Prior to the meeting, Yunus paid glowing tributes to the Armed Forces martyrs, who made supreme sacrifices during the War of Liberation in 1971. He paid the homage by placing a wreath at the altar of Shikha Anirban, flame eternal.

Later, Yunus addressed a reception accorded to the gallantry award winning freedom fighters and their inheritors arranged by the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the day.

He said that the government was committed to building a discrimination-free, exploitation-free and welfare-oriented state as envisioned by the freedom fighters.

The chief advisersaid, ‘From this moment onward, we want to build Bangladesh in such a way so that the country’s people can be the source of all powers and Bangladesh can be recognised as a humane and welfare state in the world.’

Prof Yunus prayed for the eternal peace of all martyrs and expressed profound respect to gallantry award winning freedom fighters and their family members who attended the ceremony. He also remembered the martyrs of the 2024 July uprising.