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Waker-uz-Zaman

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General
Waker-uz-Zaman
OSP, SGP, psc
ওয়াকার-উজ-জামান
General Zaman in 2015
18th Chief of Army Staff
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 June 2024
PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Muhammad Yunus (acting)[1]
Preceded bySM Shafiuddin Ahmed
15th Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division
In office
24 November 2020 – 29 December 2023
President
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byMd Mahfuzur Rahman
Succeeded byMizanur Rahman Shamim
Personal details
Born (1966-09-16) 16 September 1966 (age 57)
Dacca, East Pakistan, Pakistan
Residence(s)Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Alma materDefence Services Command and Staff College
Bangladesh Military Academy
National University, Bangladesh
Joint Services Command and Staff College
King's College, University of London
Awards Oshamanno Sheba Padak (OSP)
Sena Gourab Padak (SGP)
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch/service Bangladesh Army
Years of service1985–present
Rank General
UnitEast Bengal Regiment
Commands
Battles/wars

General Waker-uz-Zaman OSP, SGP, psc (Bengali: জেনারেল ওয়াকার-উজ-জামান) born 16 September 1966 is a four star general of the Bangladesh Army who is the current Chief of Army Staff (CAS)[2] of the Bangladesh Army since 23 June 2024.[3][4][5] Prior to his appointment as CAS, he served as the Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army.[6][7][8] Previously, he served as the 15th Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division.[9][10] Just over a month after he became the Bangladesh Army chief, amid the Non-cooperation movement protests, he announced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister on 5 August 2024.[11][12]

Early life and education

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Waker-uz-Zaman was born into a highly-educated and wealthy Bengali Muslim family on 16 September 1966 in Dhaka during East Pakistan, his family was originally from Sherpur in Mymensingh Division. His father was Asad-uz-Zaman, a well-known district judge. Waker-uz-Zaman's paternal grandfather was Fazlur Rahman of Sherpur, Fazlur Rahman was given the prestigious title of Khan Bahadur by the erstwhile ruling British for his services to the nation. Waker-uz-Zaman's maternal grandfather Sadiq Khan was also honored with the title of Khan Bahadur.[13][14]

He graduated from Defence Services Command and Staff College. He studied at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom.[15] He holds a master's degree in defence studies from Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in defence studies from King's College, University of London.[16][17]

Military Career

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Waker was commissioned on 20 December 1985 from Bangladesh Military Academy in 13th BMA Long Course in the East Bengal Regiment.[15]

During his long military career, he taught at the Non-Commissioned Officer's Academy (NCOA), School of Infantry and Tactics (SI&T) and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT). He served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia and United Nations Angola Verification Mission I.[15] He served as Deputy Assistant Military Secretary, Assistant Military Secretary and Deputy Military Secretary in Military Secretary's Branch, Army Headquarters. He served in Army Security Unit and Commanded the 17th East Bengal Regiment. He commanded the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade in Dhaka. Waker was appointed as Military Secretary of Bangladesh Army in Army Headquarters twice in 2013 and 2017 subsequently.[15]

After that he was appointed at 9th Infantry Division as GOC and Area Commander of Savar Area.[18] On 30 November 2020, Waker was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division.[19] He served as the chairperson of Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention.[20] He was a member of the governing body of the National Defence College.[21]

He was appointed as Chief of General Staff (CGS) of Bangladesh Army on 29 December 2023.[22] General Wakar is also worked as the acting chairman of the Central Coordination Committee of Cantonment Public Schools and Colleges. On 11 June 2024, Government of Bangladesh appointed him as the next chief of army staff.[23]

Interim government formation

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On 5 August 2024, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's flight from Bangladesh amidst the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Waker announced his intention to form an interim government, promising that the military would investigate violence against protesters and hand over power. Members of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus were sworn in on the night of 8 August, three days after the Fifth Hasina cabinet was dissolved following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.[24][25] Army chief, General Zaman oversaw the oath-taking ceremony of Yunus in presence of political leaders, civil society leaders, generals and diplomats. Yunus was declared head of the interim government of Bangladesh, but other attendees that were sworn in to act as Yunus' interim cabinet members were referred to as "advisors" rather than Ministers. These new advisors include Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, top leaders of the Students Against Discrimination group, which led the weeks-long protests that ousted Hasina.[26]

He hinted that the interim government may have 15 members for now. He, however, did not disclose their names and the possible tenure of the government.[27][28]

Personal life

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Waker is married to Begum Sarahnaz Kamalika Rahman who is the eldest daughter of late General Mustafizur Rahman and the couple have two daughters.[17] His father-in-law General Rahman served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army from 24 December 1997 to 23 December 2000; he was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's uncle.[29][30] Waker's wife is Hasina's cousin.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Named Chief Advisor Of Bangladesh Interim Government: Updates". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Chief of Army Staff". Bangladesh Army. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024.
  3. ^ "General Waker-Uz-Zaman takes charge as Chief of Army Staff". The Financial Express (Bangladesh). 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman named new army chief". The Daily Star. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024. Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, OSP, SGP, psc, Chief of General Staff (CGS) has been promoted to general and appointed as the Chief of Army Staff
  5. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed new army chief". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman posted to CGS in army". The Daily Star. 31 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been appointed as the 18th Chief of Army Staff". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed army chief". Dhaka Tribune. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024. The government has appointed Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman as the new army chief of Bangladesh, effective from June 23, the Inter-Services Public Relations (Bangladesh) (ISPR) announced on Tuesday.
  9. ^ "Lieutenant General Wakar made PSO". New Age. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  10. ^ "New PSO adorned with Lt Gen rank badge". The Financial Express. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  11. ^ Tan, Rebecca; Mehrotra, Karishma; Gupta, Anant (6 August 2024). "Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees country". Washington Post.
  12. ^ "Bangladesh Protests: Who is General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief who announced Sheikh Hasina's resignation?". Mint. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  13. ^ "A proud aunt's reflections: Memories of my nephew General Waker-uz-Zaman, new Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff". AMUST. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  14. ^ "A Proud Aunt's Reflections: Memories Of My Nephew, General Waker-uz-Zaman - Suprovat Sydney". 1 July 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d "General Waqar-uz-Zaman promoted, made PSO at Armed Forces Division". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. ^ "General Waker-Uz-Zaman takes over as Army Chief of Bangladesh". Daily Sun. 23 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Principal Staff Officer (PSO), AFD | Armed Forces Division(AFD)". afd.gov.bd. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  18. ^ "GOC of Ninth Infantry Division and Commander of Savar Area Major General Waqar-uz-Zaman handing over the championship trophy to Savar Area team, which emerged the champions of the Bangladesh Army Hockey Competition at the Savar Cantonment on Thursday". The New Nation. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  19. ^ "New PSO adorned with Lieutenant General rank badge". Dhaka Tribune. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Honorable Chairman". bnacwcafd.gov.bd. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  21. ^ "National Defence College". ndc.gov.bd. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed as new army chief". jagonews24.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Lt General Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed as new army chief". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024.
  24. ^ https://asianews.network/
  25. ^ Alam, Julhas; Pathi, Krutika (5 August 2024). "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves Bangladesh, ending 15-year rule". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh's interim government". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Who will run Bangladesh's interim govt? I'm taking full responsibility, says army chief". Firstpost. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Bangladesh Protests: Who is General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief who announced Sheikh Hasina's resignation?". Mint. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Lieutenant General Wakar made PSO". New Age. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Former army chief Mustafiz is buried". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  31. ^ "General Waker-Uz-Zaman takes over as army chief". Prothom Alo. 23 June 2024.
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Army Staff
23 June 2024 		Incumbent
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