Waker-Uz-Zaman

General
Waker-Uz-Zaman
SBP, OSP, SGP
ওয়াকার-উজ-জামান
Waker in 2026
18th Chief of Army Staff
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 June 2024
PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin
Prime Minister
Preceded byS. M. Shafiuddin Ahmed
Chief of General Staff
In office
30 December 2023 – 22 June 2024
PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byAtaul Hakim Sarwar Hasan
Succeeded byMohammad Shaheenul Haque
Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division
In office
24 November 2020 – 29 December 2023
President
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byMahfuzur Rahman
Succeeded byMizanur Rahman Shamim
Personal details
Born (1966-09-16) 16 September 1966 (age 59)
Dacca, East Pakistan, Pakistan
SpouseBegum Sarahnaz Kamalika Rahman
RelationsMustafizur Rahman (father-in-law)
Children2
Residence(s)Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Alma mater
Awards
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch/service Bangladesh Army
Years of service1985–present
Rank
UnitEast Bengal Regiment
Commands
Battles/wars

Waker-Uz-Zaman[a][b] (born 16 September 1966) is a four-star general of the Bangladesh Army and the current Chief of Army Staff. Earlier, he served as the Chief of General Staff at Army Headquarters and as the 15th Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division.[c]

Just over a month of his tenure amid the Student–People's uprising, he announced the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024.[d]

Early life and education

Waker was born into a Bengali Muslim family on 16 September 1966 at Dacca of then East Pakistan. Waker's family hailed from Sherpur of now Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh. His father was Asad-Uz-Zaman, a notable district judge of Sherpur and Gaibandha. Waker's paternal grandfather was Fazlur Rahman who was given the title of Khan Bahadur by the erstwhile ruling British Administration for his services to the British Raj and so was his maternal grandfather Sadiq Khan.[13][14]

Waker was enlisted to Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) on 1983 and was commissioned on 20 December 1985 from 13th BMA Long Course in the East Bengal Regiment. Waker is an alumnus of Defence Services Command and Staff College and Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom.[15] He obtained his two master's degrees, one master of science in strategic planning from Bangladesh University of Professionals and another master of Arts in defence studies from King's College, University of London.[16][17][15]

Military career

Waker receiving the rank of General at Prime Minister's Office in 23 June 2024.

Waker served as instructor at the Non-Commissioned Officer's Academy in Bogra, School of Infantry and Tactics (Tactics wing) in Sylhet and also in Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training. He served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia and United Nations Angola Verification Mission I. As lieutenant colonel, he directed the Army Security Unit at Dhaka Cantonment and commanded the 17th East Bengal Regiment in Momenshahi.[15]

He was promoted to colonel and served as Deputy Assistant Military Secretary in Military Secretary's Branch at Army Headquarters. He was then upgraded to brigadier general and appointed commander of the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade in Dhaka and then as Deputy Military Secretary back at the Army Headquarters. Waker was promoted to major general in 2013 and posted as military secretary at the headquarters.[15]

Furthermore, he was appointed general officer commanding of 9th Infantry Division and area Commander of Savar Area which he served until returning back to the headquarters, again as military secretary in 2017.[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 returned to army headquarters for serving as the Chief of General Staff on 29 December 2023.[22]

As Chief of Army Staff

General Waker presenting a framed plaque to United States Army lieutenant general Joel B. Vowell, c. 2026.

On 11 June 2024, Government of Bangladesh appointed Waker as the next army chief. He succeeded General Shafiuddin Ahmed and assumed office on 23 June 2024. He also serves as the Colonel of the Regiment of the East Bengal Regiment and the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment, and as the Colonel Commandant of the Army Service Corps and the Corps of Engineers.

Waker reshuffled the top brass of the military after the overthrow of the Fifth Hasina ministry. This included forcibly retiring and dismissing manifold generals and an admiral from the armed forces.[23][24] In particular, he removed former director generals of Special Security Force and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence such as lieutenant general Saiful Alam and lieutenant general Mujibur Rahman who were accused of human rights violations.[25]

Regarding enforced disappearances, he affirmed that the army would take action against any army personnel involved.[26] In October of 2025, he took 15 senior army officers into custody, for enforced disappearances charges, on behalf of the International Crimes Tribunal.[27]

Waker also took steps to increase strategic cooperation with China.[28] In addition to which, he improved relations with the US and its allies.[29] This included increasing the number of joint military exercises and overall cooperation between the Bangladesh Armed Forcces and US Pacific Command.[30] Furthermore, he took steps to strengthen defence ties with Turkey and secure their assistance to grow Bangladesh's domestic military industry.[31]

In September 2025, he attended the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in Malaysia.[32]

Interim government formation

Muhammad Yunus adorns the badge of Senabahini Padak (SBP) to General Waker on 21 November 2024.

On 3 August 2024, Waker held an officer's address to get the opinions of the army regarding the suppression of the ongoing insurrection. Afterwards, he undertook that army personnel will not involve on the act of execution.[33]

On 4 August, he and the other service chiefs advised Hasina to resign.[34] The following day, the army secured the resignation of Hasina at Ganabhaban and escorted her to BAF Base Bangubadhu in order to abscond her for India.[35] On 5 August 2024, Waker announced that Hasina had resigned and fled Bangladesh to India at the amidst the Student-People's uprising, he announced that an interim government will be formed with the support of the political parties and the protesters, promising that the military would investigate violence against student protesters and hand over power. Members of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus were sworn in on the night of 8 August, three days after the Fifth Hasina ministry was dissolved following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the ousting of her regime.[36] Waker-uz-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 "advisers" rather than ministers. These new advisers included student protesters, such as, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, whom led the quota reform and the non-cooperation movement culminating in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.[37][36]

He hinted that the interim government may have 15 members for instance. However, he did not disclose their names and the possible tenure of the government.[38][39] He vowed to help and support the interim government to help it complete reforms following the constitutional crisis, and to held a general election within 18 months.[40]

Controversy

In March 2025, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam accused Waker of opposing the appointment of Muhammad Yunus as chief advisor after 5 August 2024, and they also claimed that, in March 2025, Waker secretly argued over a proposal to Hasnat and two other anti-discrimination student movement leaders to bring the Refined Awami League back into Bangladeshi politics without a trial, which led to widespread criticism on social media and the media, as well as reactions in political circles.[41][42][43] However, Bangladesh army described Hasnat's assertions as "hilarious and an immature array of stories."

Personal life

Waker is married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Rahman, the eldest daughter of late General Mustafizur Rahman, and the couple has two daughters.[17][44] Sarahnaz is a cousin of Sheikh Hasina.[45][46]

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ Bengali: ওয়াকার-উজ-জামান
  2. ^ SBP, OSP, SGP, psc
  3. ^ Multiple references:[2][3][4][5][6][7]
  4. ^ Multiple references:[8][9][10][11][12]

Citations

  1. ^ "Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Named Chief Advisor Of Bangladesh Interim Government: Updates". NDTV. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman posted to CGS in army". The Daily Star. 31 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Lieutenant General Wakar made PSO". New Age. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. ^ "New PSO adorned with Lt Gen rank badge". The Financial Express. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman named new army chief". The Daily Star. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 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
  7. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed army chief". Dhaka Tribune. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 15 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.
  8. ^ "Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been appointed as the 18th Chief of Army Staff". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  9. ^ Tan, Rebecca; Mehrotra, Karishma; Gupta, Anant (6 August 2024). "Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees country". Washington Post.
  10. ^ "Bangladesh Protests: Who is General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief who announced Sheikh Hasina's resignation?". Mint. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Chief of Army Staff". Bangladesh Army. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed new army chief". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 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. Archived from the original on 4 August 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. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Principal Staff Officer (PSO), AFD | Armed Forces Division(AFD)". Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. 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. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  19. ^ "New PSO adorned with Lieutenant General rank badge". Dhaka Tribune. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Honorable Chairman". Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  21. ^ "National Defence College". Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed as new army chief". Jago News 24. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Major reshuffle in Army top brass". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  24. ^ "Lt General Waker-Uz-Zaman appointed as new army chief". The Business Standard. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Three former DGs of DGFI sent on forced retirement; ARTDOC GOC Lt Gen Mujibur dismissed". The Business Standard. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  26. ^ "Army not institutionally involved in enforced disappearances but was 'aware', says investigation commission". bdnews24. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  27. ^ "Bangladesh Army takes 15 officers into custody". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  28. ^ Correspondent, Staff (28 August 2025). "Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman discusses strategic cooperation with China". Prothomalo. Retrieved 2 October 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ bdnews24.com. "Bangladesh Army chief Waker leaves for US-Canada trip". Army chief leaves on US-Canada trip. Retrieved 2 October 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "US in talks over selling military equipment to Bangladesh". Prothom Alo. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  31. ^ "Army chief, senior Turkish official discuss stronger defence ties". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  32. ^ "Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman returns after Malaysia visit". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  33. ^ "More details emerge of the last minutes". The Business Standard. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Sheikh Hasina tried to crush the uprising even on the night before the fall". Prothomalo. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  35. ^ "What happened in Ganabhaban before Sheikh Hasina fled". Prothom Alo. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  36. ^ a b Alam, Julhas; Pathi, Krutika (5 August 2024). "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves Bangladesh, ending 15-year rule". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh's interim government". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Who will run Bangladesh's interim govt? I'm taking full responsibility, says army chief". Firstpost. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Bangladesh Protests: Who is General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief who announced Sheikh Hasina's resignation?". Mint. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Exclusive: Bangladesh army chief strongly backs interim government, eyes elections within 18 months". Reuters. 24 September 2024.
  41. ^ আসিফ মাহমুদ ও হাসনাতের ফেসবুক পোস্ট নিয়ে তোলপাড় [Uproar over Asif Mahmud and Hasnat's Facebook posts]. Ajker Patrika (in Bengali). 11 March 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  42. ^ "23 March 2025" সেনাপ্রধানের সঙ্গে সেদিন হাসনাত-সারজিসের যে কথা হয়েছিল [What Hasnat and Sarjis discussed with the army chief that day]. Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  43. ^ Ahsan, Mukimul (23 March 2025). সেনাবাহিনী নিয়ে হাসনাতের বক্তব্যে কি চাপে পড়েছে জাতীয় নাগরিক পার্টি? [Has the National Citizen Party come under pressure due to Hasnat's statements about the army?]. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  44. ^ "List of Chief of Army Staff". Bangladesh Army. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Who is Bangladesh's army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman who participated in formation of the interim government after Sheikh Hasina's ouster?". The Times of India. 5 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  46. ^ "Former army chief Mustafiz is buried". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waker-Uz-Zaman