New army chief Waker-uz-Zaman

Lieutenant General Waker-uz-Zaman has been appointed as the Chief of Army.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) informed this information in a circular on Tuesday (June 11).

Zaman was born in Sherpur District on 16 September 1966.

Zaman graduated from Defence Services Command and Staff College. He studied at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom. 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.

Waker-uz-Zaman OSP, SGP, PSC assumed the duties of Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army on 01 January 2024. An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, the General was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on 20 December 1985. Having an illustrious and colourful career of more than three and half decades, Lieutenant General Waker brings with him an enormous amount of experience of holding key command, staff and instructional appointments.

In his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Waker Commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of BD Army and an Infantry Division. His key staff appointments include staff officer at an Infantry Brigade, School of Infantry and Tactics and Army Headquarters. He was a distinguished instructor at 'School of Infantry and Tactics', 'Non-commissioned Officers' Academy' and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training'. Lieutenant General Waker served as the Military Secretary in Army Headquarters. Prior to joining as the CGS of BD Arrny, he performed as Principal Staff Officer of Honourable Prime Minister at Armed Forces Division under Prime Minister's Office.

As the head of the Armed Forces Division, he was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was also nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate of Bangladesh for UN Peacekeeping Affairs. By virtue of his appointment as Principal Staff Officer, he also headed the 'Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention' as Chairman. Under the Blue Helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia) respectively. As the CGS of the BD Army, he is responsible for the military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, budget, and many other affairs of the BD Army.

Lieutenant General Waker had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade for three consecutive times. He was awarded the coveted 'Army Medal of Glory (SGP) and Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP) for his remarkable contributions in the modernization of the army. He frequents as a keynote speaker in different seminars and symposiums both at home and abroad. He enjoys games and sports. He is happily married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and blessed with two daughters: Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.

From June 23 BA-2902 Lieutenant General Waqar-uz-Zaman (OSP, SGP, PSC, Chief of General Staff-CGS) has been promoted to the rank of General and appointed as Army Chief for the next three years from that day.

According to the notification, he will receive emoluments as per the Chiefs of Defense (Recruitment, Pay, Allowances and Other Benefits) Act, 2018.