News Desk

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called on the President Guard Regiment (PGR) to adopt a people-friendly approach to security, stressing that protective measures for the country’s top leadership should never create a barrier between the government and the people.

Addressing the 51st founding anniversary programme of the President Guard Regiment at Dhaka Cantonment, the Prime Minister said the confidence, trust and affection of the people remain the greatest source of strength for any democratic government. He therefore urged the elite security force to formulate security strategies that ensure both the safety of the head of government and the accessibility of public representatives to the people.

“I want to maintain my trust and reliance on the confidence and affection of the people as the head of a democratic government. Therefore, I urge you to ensure that security arrangements do not push the head of government away from the people,” he said.

The Prime Minister recalled making similar observations during the recent anniversary programme of the Special Security Force (SSF), noting that the same principle equally applies to the PGR because it is entrusted with safeguarding both the President and the Prime Minister.

Highlighting the unique challenges faced by the security force, Tarique Rahman said the head of government regularly attends public rallies, official ceremonies and state functions across the country, including in remote areas, where security management often becomes highly complex due to large public gatherings.

He said the PGR must develop security plans that strike an appropriate balance between ensuring maximum protection for state leaders and minimizing inconvenience for ordinary citizens. According to him, effective security should never make people feel disconnected from their elected leadership.

The Prime Minister emphasized that maintaining this balance is essential in a democratic system where public interaction and accessibility remain fundamental to good governance.

Speaking about the modernization of Bangladesh’s security institutions, Tarique Rahman said the government has undertaken comprehensive initiatives to strengthen specialized forces, including the President Guard Regiment and the Special Security Force, alongside broader modernization efforts within the armed forces.

He said the government has already initiated the necessary steps to enhance operational capabilities, modernize equipment and improve training standards to ensure that these forces remain capable of addressing evolving security challenges.

Expressing confidence in the professionalism of the armed forces, the Prime Minister said patriotism, discipline and professional excellence remain the strongest safeguards of national sovereignty.

“I believe that if the armed forces are motivated by patriotism, follow strict discipline and maintain professionalism, then the country’s sovereignty will never be threatened again, Insha’Allah,” he said.

Addressing members of the PGR directly, Tarique Rahman stressed that a specialized force requires more than technical expertise alone. Alongside mastering modern security techniques, every member must uphold the core values of courage, honesty, loyalty, professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to the military chain of command.

He said these principles form the foundation of an effective security organization capable of protecting the country’s constitutional leadership under any circumstances.

Describing the responsibilities of the President Guard Regiment as highly demanding, the Prime Minister noted that the force is entrusted with protecting state-declared VIPs and performing security duties during important national events and official ceremonies.

“While performing this duty, you have to face various situations. Your loyalty, sense of responsibility and sense of duty have undoubtedly established the PGR as a well-disciplined force,” he said.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the regiment for being nominated for the National Standard Award this year, describing the recognition as a matter of pride for the organization and the armed forces as a whole.

He observed that the PGR is composed of specially selected and professionally trained personnel from the Bangladesh Army, making it one of the country’s most specialized military organizations.

“Therefore, it is the statutory rule that the PGR members will fulfill the duties assigned to them with professionalism, loyalty and discipline. I expect that the efficiency and dedication of the PGR will continue to be reflected through your activities,” he added.

Paying tribute to the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Tarique Rahman said the military remains a symbol of the courage, sacrifice and pride of the nation. He recalled the armed forces’ significant contribution during the Liberation War of 1971, saying their heroic role has permanently linked them with Bangladesh’s history of independence.

The Prime Minister further observed that specialized forces such as the PGR cannot afford to fall behind in operational readiness, strategic capability or technological advancement.

Referring to the rapidly changing global security environment, he said conventional security threats have now been accompanied by emerging challenges arising from technological developments, geopolitical instability and the digital age.

“Today, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, drone warfare and information warfare have become integral parts of modern security challenges. These areas can no longer be ignored,” he said.

He emphasized that all branches of the country’s security forces must remain continuously prepared through modern, updated and specialized training to effectively respond to these multidimensional threats.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the historical development of the President Guard Regiment. He said the force was initially established on July 5, 1975, as the President’s Bodyguard Unit with the objective of ensuring the security of the President and other important state dignitaries.

Later, on September 19, 1975, then Army Chief Major General Ziaur Rahman renamed the unit the President Guard Regiment, a decision that, according to the Prime Minister, strengthened the force’s institutional identity and operational confidence.

On the occasion of the regiment’s founding anniversary, Tarique Rahman also paid tribute to the martyrs associated with the organization.

Recalling what he described as one of the most tragic chapters in his family’s history, the Prime Minister remembered the death of former President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed at the Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

He noted that several members of the President Guard Regiment were also killed while carrying out their assigned duties during the incident.

“I remember all the martyrs of the PGR with deep respect and pray to Almighty Allah for their eternal peace,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the sacrifice made by those personnel stands as an enduring example of loyalty, dedication and commitment to duty, adding that future generations of PGR members should continue to draw inspiration from their courage and professionalism.

Concluding his address, Tarique Rahman extended his greetings to all officers and members of the President Guard Regiment on the occasion of its 51st founding anniversary.

He wished them good health, professional success and continued excellence in carrying out their responsibilities in protecting the country’s constitutional leadership while upholding the highest standards of military discipline and service.

The President Guard Regiment observes its founding anniversary every year on July 5. Established in 1975, the regiment serves as a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Army responsible for the security and protocol of the President, the Prime Minister and other designated state dignitaries. The anniversary is traditionally marked by an annual darbar, ceremonial parade and various commemorative events at the regiment’s headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.