Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has made it clear that he will not get involved in politics during his tenure as Army Chief. He said this in an exclusive interview with Prothom Alo. The Army Chief called the deadline given by the interim government's chief adviser on the national election as 'the right time' and promised to cooperate in implementing the election outline.
The excerpt from the interview has been published for the readers of Barta24.com:
What are your expectations in the New Year, 2025?
General Waqar: In 2025, we want to walk the path of lasting peace. For that, everyone has to walk together. Everyone has to reach a consensus. We may have differences; but consensus is essential for the national interest. Only then will democracy be permanent. We want a peaceful environment. Peace and stability are very important for the economic and social development of Bangladesh. Without these two things, development and good governance will not come. For that, tolerance must be restored among us. For that, an environment of national reconciliation has to be created.
The Chief Adviser has given a deadline for the general elections. Will you say something about it? You have to work.
General Waqar: The countrymen definitely want a good election. They want fair, peaceful and festive elections. That is also the main goal of the interim government. The Chief Adviser has given a deadline for the elections. That is the right time. We will provide all possible assistance in implementing the election outline of the interim government.
The army is part of the government. Do you have any concerns in the current situation?
General Waqar: We have to be in the field. We understand the situation. Let me give you an idea of how we can feel comfortable. At the end of the day, my soldiers have to go to the field. They have been in the field for almost five months now. The longer our people stay in the field, the more likely they are to get involved in undisciplined activities. One of my officers was killed while trying to catch a robber. If the police had organized quickly, I would not have had any worries. If they had been well organized, if the civilian administration had started performing proper law and order duties, then we too can be assured.
But the police have not been reorganized yet.
General Waqar: That is somewhat true. Work is underway to reorganize the police. We hope that it will be fruitful soon.
In the last 15 years, various systems of the state, including administration, police, justice and business, have collapsed. It will take time to bring it to a normal place.
General Waqar: This will require political parties and governments. Politicians will have to come forward. This is not possible without politics and without a political government.
Political parties have promised reforms in the past. But after coming to power, they did not keep their promises...
General Waqar: Now we are all associated with politicians. They must now understand that this reform is necessary for everyone. The issue of constitutional reform is coming to the fore. In particular, there is a need to bring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister.
Does that mean that you are talking about a concept such as creating a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister in running the state?
General Waqar: I do not want to go into such detail. I am not a constitutional expert either. I have understood from my own experience that there is a need to bring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. The armed forces can be placed under the President.
You are talking about placing the armed forces under the President. It was during the caretaker government.
General Waqar: During the caretaker government, the armed forces were under the Chief Adviser. I am talking about this idea. I am thinking about the issue of bringing balance of power. How that can be done, experts should tell me. But if this change can be brought about, there will be a balance in the governance system.
In the last 50 years, we have seen that the army has sometimes come to power on its own. Sometimes, as a result of the movement, the army has handled the situation or taken power. This time, people have called on you. These are the realities.
General Waqar: We are taking care of law and order. But our experience of 1/11 is not very pleasant. The long-term presence of army personnel in the field creates the risk of getting involved in disorderly activities. Although the number is very small. For disciplinary incidents, we immediately punish them after investigation. Even then, the issue of breach of discipline is embarrassing for us. We are not made to be involved in such things or get involved in politics. We are completely with the government. We will try to help the Chief Adviser in any way he asks for my or our help.
Are you staying behind now?
General Waqar: Staying behind means we are helping the interim government. We are providing and will provide the kind of help they are asking for from us. The day the interim government says, ‘Thank you very much, you have completed your work, now the police will take over the responsibility of law and order.’ We will happily return to the cantonment.
Are you helping the interim government in any way?
General Waqar: We are completely with the government. We will try to help the Chief Adviser in any way he asks for my or our help. If it causes us any difficulty, even if it causes temporary difficulties for the soldiers, we will still help the government. We will do this in the interest of the country and the nation. We are ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of this nation, for the country and for the sake of the people of the country.
Many people say that in the past, despite many struggles and movements, reforms or changes could not be made. Do you see the situation as a last resort?
General Waqar: I would not call it a last resort. I would call it an opportunity. We should use this opportunity. It is good for everyone. If everything goes well in a peaceful environment, then in the long run many will benefit from this change. The opposition party is a great supporting force in politics. The government and the opposition party complement each other. Having a strong opposition party is important in a democratic process. If there is such a process, they can point out each other's mistakes. There is a balance of power between the government and the opposition party. Everyone can perform their duties within their circle. This is very necessary for a country.
The army has been given magisterial powers. How much are you exercising it?
General Waqar: We are taking action. We have comparatively reviewed and seen that the law and order situation has improved after the exercise of the army's magisterial powers. As disappointed as some people seem to be about law and order, I am not so disappointed. The situation has improved. However, the issue of law and order is a comprehensive matter. Here there is a role for the police, there is a role for the administration, there is a role for the government. The army is working. The general public also has a role. The law and order situation will improve through the collective efforts of all. We all have to remember this all the time. We cannot blame one person and say that the government, police or army is responsible. Everyone has a role to play here.
'Mob Justice' is still happening due to the breakdown of law and order.... People are taking the law into their own hands...
General Waqar: This is very harmful and it is a kind of illness. If someone sees a solution in beating to death, extrajudicial killings, it is wrong. This must be stopped.
We have many issues with India, including water and borders. Lately, I have been hearing and seeing some talks on some unresolved issues.
General Waqar: India is our important neighbor. We are dependent on India in many ways. India is also getting benefits from us. A lot of their people are working in Bangladesh, both formally and informally. Many people from this country go to India for treatment. We are buying many products from them. Therefore, India has a great interest in the stability of Bangladesh. It is a give-and-take relationship. It has to be based on fairness. Any country will always want to get benefits from other countries. It is not my fault. If I cannot get them, it is my fault too. We have to look at these issues. We have to maintain good relations on the basis of fairness. People should not think that India is dominating Bangladesh or doing anything that is against our interests. People should not think that.
The main issue for India is Bangladesh's cooperation in ensuring the security of its northeastern region. They have received assistance in this regard from the previous government.
General Walker: Look, what I am saying is that I will not do anything with my neighbor that is against their strategic interests. At the same time, I will expect that my neighbor will not do anything with me that is against my interests. When I look at their interests, they will also look at my interests with equal importance. There will be no instability in our Chattogram Hill Tracts. There will be no instability on the Myanmar border. They will not kill our people on the border. We will get our fair share of water. There is no problem in that. The relationship should be based on fairness.
How do you see the relationship with China in the context of defense cooperation?
General Waqar: Friendship with all, not hostility with anyone... Our foreign policy is excellent. We have to move forward with balance. China is our development partner. They have a lot of investment in Bangladesh. So China is very important to us. We are using many Chinese weapons. The air force is using it. The navy is using it. Their weapons are relatively cheap.
The United States is also a major power in the Indo-Pacific region. How do you see the relationship with them?
General Waqar: We have good relations with them too. We will continue to maintain it. The country is currently going through a complex and difficult time. At this moment, we should limit our demands. Let's not bother the government. Then it will help us maintain law and order. Let's be patient.
Despite everything, many people still say that the army is interested in politics or power. The common people have such an idea from past experience...
General Waqar: The military should definitely not interfere in politics. Meddling in politics is harmful for the army. These things have happened in the past. We have learned from the past. It has never yielded good results. That is why my pledge is that during my tenure as the Army Chief, I will not meddle in politics. I will not allow the Army to interfere in the political arena. This is my clear pledge. We wholeheartedly believe that the alternative to politicians is politicians. Their alternative is not the Army.
In the current situation, people are coming forward with various demands. People are frustrated because the prices of goods have not come down. In this context, do you have any message to give to the general public in the country?
General Waqar: The country is currently going through a complex and difficult time. At this moment, let us limit our demands. Let us not disturb the government. Then it will help us maintain law and order. Let us be patient. Traders and industrialists should keep the prices of goods under control. This is not the time for profiteering. It is important to do something outside the traditional norms because the country is on a difficult path. To get out of this, let the political parties come. When the political parties come to power, they will solve these problems. So, let us all support the interim government at this time; so that they can complete the reforms and go towards elections. Let us not burden them. We are ready and will be ready to do everything for the success of Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the interim government.
