General Waker-Uz-Zaman took charge as the chief of the Bangladesh Army for a three-year term on Sunday (23 June), said a press release from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Earlier, he was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff (CAS) of the Bangladesh Army on 11 June.
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, 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's notable administrative roles include serving as the military secretary at Army Headquarters.
Before his current role, 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, 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, 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.
General Waker has had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade three consecutive times. For his remarkable contributions to the modernisation 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, 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.
