Meet Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman who just took over after Sheikh Hasina's flight

The political crisis in Bangladesh deepened further today as the army took over the reins of the country after the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled. General Waker-uz-Zaman said he would take full responsibility for bringing the situation under control and assured that the army would meet all the demands of the protestors.

Hasina reportedly fled the country earlier today in a helicopter and is reportedly heading to London.

In a press conference around 3:30 PM (IST), Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that the army is taking control of the country.


He stated that the army will soon decide on the formation of an interim government.

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The army chief, Waker-uz-zaman, also mentioned that he had a meeting with representatives from the BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami. Teachers Afis Nazrul and Jonayet Saki were also present at the meeting.

Who is Waker-uz-Zaman: All About Bangladesh Army Chief

Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman is a four-star general who assumed leadership of the country's defense forces in June this year. Interestingly, Waker-uz-Zaman's father-in-law, Gen. Mustafizur Rahman, also served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army from December 24, 1997, to December 23, 2000. Rahman was the uncle of Sheikh Hasina. Additionally, Zaman's wife is Hasina's cousin, according to Wikipedia.

The 58-year-old joined the army in 1985. An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, the General was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on 20 December 1985.

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As per Army's website, General Waker-uz-zaman Commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of BD Army and an Infantry Division. In a career spanning three-and-a-half decades, he has also worked closely with Hasina, serving as the principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office. Zaman has also been associated with the modernization of the army, the army website said.

Waker-uz-zaman is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK. He holds a Master degree in Defence Studies from National University of Bangladesh and Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London.

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He was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of Bangladesh Armed Forces. Zaman was awarded the coveted ‘Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP)’ and ‘Army Medal of Glory (SGP)’ for his remarkable contributions in the modernization of the army.

In a career spanning three-and-a-half decades, he has also worked closely with Hasina, serving as the principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office. Zaman has also been associated with the modernization of the army, the army website said.