Army Chief: We seek peace, not conflict

The Bangladesh Army wants a peaceful, conflict-free nation, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said today (13 April).

"We want a country with peace and discipline. We do not want conflict or hatred here," he remarked at the inauguration of the International Buddhist Monastery in Merul Badda, Dhaka.

Emphasising the importance of harmony in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), he assured that the army is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Speaking to reporters, General Waker highlighted the significance of communal harmony, saying, "Today's event is an example of communal unity. We aspire to build our country based on Buddha's teachings and are working towards that goal."

Reflecting on his own experiences in CHT, he said, "I spent a significant part of my youth there. People should respect each other despite differing opinions."

He urged everyone to uphold peace in the CHT, stating, "Differences of opinion will exist, but mutual respect is essential. We must respect one another's views while maintaining our own."

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus also attended the ceremony.

The army chief further said, "We want to build a nation guided by the teachings of Gautama Buddha—non-violence, harmony, love for humanity, and a society free of hatred. We are all working toward this goal."

He added, "This country belongs to everyone—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims. We want to live together in harmony."

Recalling his work in Chattogram, General Waker noted, "We worked closely with the Buddhist community there, fostering understanding and cooperation."