Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been appointed as the new Chief of the Bangladesh Army for a three-year term.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued on Tuesday (11 June), he has been promoted to the rank of General to assume this position.
The appointment will take effect on 23 June, the ISPR release added.
Waker-Uz-Zaman assumed the duties of Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army on 1 January, 2024. An alumnus of the Bangladesh Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Corps of Infantry on 20 December 1985. Over a career spanning more than three and a half decades, Lieutenant General Waker has garnered extensive experience through key command, staff, and instructional roles.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lieutenant General Waker has commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of the Bangladesh Army, and an Infantry Division. His key staff appointments include positions at an Infantry Brigade, the School of Infantry and Tactics, and Army Headquarters. He has also served as a distinguished instructor at the School of Infantry and Tactics, the Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy, and the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training.
The new Army Chief Waker's notable administrative roles include serving as the military secretary at Army Headquarters. Prior to his current role as Chief of General Staff, he served as the principal staff officer to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office.
His academic achievements include graduating from the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, and the Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK. He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London.
As head of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General Waker was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate for Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping Affairs. In his role as principal staff officer, he also chaired the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention.
Under the Blue Helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as an observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia). As the Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army, he is responsible for military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, the budget, and various other army matters.
Lieutenant General Waker has had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade three consecutive times. For his remarkable contributions to the modernization of the army, he was awarded the coveted Army Medal of Glory (SGP) and the Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP). He is a frequent keynote speaker at seminars and symposiums both domestically and internationally.
Beyond his military career, Lieutenant General Waker enjoys games and sports. He is happily married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and is blessed with two daughters, Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.