Prime Minister Asks Giving Priority to Merit in Promotion of Forces

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Navy and Air Force Selection Board-2026 at Air Force Headquarters on Sunday with urging board members to prioritize merit, competence, discipline and integrity in officer promotions free from political or personal bias.

He praised the Navy and Air Force for safeguarding the country's sovereignty while supporting internal stability and disaster response, said Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

The board will review Navy officers ranked captain, commander and lieutenant commander along with Air Force officers ranked group captain, wing commander and squadron leader, for promotion.

On arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. He formally conferred the Admiral rank badge on Khondkar Misbah ul Azim congratulating him as the new Navy chief.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising also thanking the armed forces for their sacrifices.

He later inspected key installations, including the Air Defence Operations Centre where he unveiled the Air Defence System Integration plaque and the Air Command Operations Centre, viewing live UAV feeds and simulated defence operations.

At the Aerospace Research and Development Complex, he reviewed indigenous UAVs including kamikaze and interceptor drones, expressing hope that such innovations would advance Bangladesh's technological self-reliance.

Senior defence officials accompanied the Prime Minister throughout the visit.