Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman’s clear message was to ensure that an election would be held within a year and a half. He conveyed this during an interview with the news agency Reuters on 24 September. In the Bangla versions circulated by some media outlets, the translation of "a year and a half" appeared as "18 months." Though a year and a half technically means 18 months, the expression “months” communicated the idea more effectively in political circles, making his message work like magic.

His words provided an answer to a major question. With a tentative roadmap for when the elections might be held, the overheated political atmosphere somewhat cooled. Thus, interpreting a year and a half or 18 months would indicate next March.

The interview also mentioned that, “whatever happens,” the army would continue supporting the government.

Simultaneously, there was a promise that the Bangladesh Army would not interfere in politics. While supporting the government, the army has been offering historic cooperation. It has also been fulfilling its commitment of non-interference in politics, and contributing to the country’s democratisation efforts.

At the beginning of last August, during the student-led protests against Hasina, General Waqar-uz-Zaman and the army did not intervene. This sealed Sheikh Hasina’s fate and ushered in an atmosphere of national unity and democracy. Through this, the role of the army and General Waqar added a new feather not only to the history of independent Bangladesh but also to world history. It will remain a subject for future study and research, alongside the past and present.

Had the army chief not taken that stance, the country could have plunged not only into bloodshed and civil war but something even worse. There were looming fears of grave threats to independence and sovereignty.

From this perspective, the army chief acted as a stimulant for saving the country, the nation, democracy, and national unity. In the interview, he also emphasised the need for patience. Sadly, this patience is currently being tested. He himself has shown the utmost patience, refusing to lose composure despite numerous provocations over the past seven or eight months — some of them outright vile.

These provocations aimed first to pit the army against the people or politicians, and second to fracture the steel-strong unity between the army and the people. But all these conspiracies were foiled by General Waqar’s wisdom, intelligence, insight, and professionalism.

Among peace-loving sections, a new wave of hope is rising around him. As political leaders become increasingly divided over elections and mistrust grows, the army chief could also take an initiative to rein in the unwanted debates and conspiracies that threaten national unity. He has already committed to ensuring an election within 18 months.

The shrewd army chief’s 'magic of the 24th' prevented bloodshed and laid a path forward for the nation. He has proven he harbours no lust for power — though there were ample opportunities to seize it if he wanted to. Even now, there are chances, but he is not that kind of man.

Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus is also free from any obsession with power. Beyond his role as chief adviser, he commands global fame. If he had been power-hungry, he could have seized it during the '1/11' period. Now, he repeatedly expresses his wish to be relieved of this burden as soon as possible and return to his world. Yet, because of delays in organising the election, baseless rumours are spreading — more slander than substance. Both the army chief and the government head are having to endure these.

The government head has pledged to hold elections between December and June, while the army chief’s 18-month timeline points to March. There is no real contradiction between the two. It would be hard to manufacture a difference even if one tried. Yet there is no shortage of attempts to provoke disputes and unrest.

The political unity that existed eight months ago now seems like a mirage. There’s a frenzy of meaningless chatter pulling the nation's future off course. In this regard, the army chief General Waqar remains a legendary figure. He had already warned — loud and clear — that without patience and unity, there would be regrets. He sent out this message so that no one could later blame him for not warning them.

What more can he do from his position? What more could be expected? Many believe there are still actions he could take.

In July-August, questions loomed across the country: what is happening, what lies ahead, where is the nation headed? Many people surrendered the future of politics, economics — the entire nation — to divine fate, believing there was no human solution left.

In those harsh times, few imagined that General Waqar would cool the raging ground with such a decisive resolution.

Today’s disunity and instability are unfortunate realities, but they are nowhere near as intense as those of July-August.

Many still expect that he could play a role in arranging an election as soon as possible — and they wait in hope.

In the era of globalisation, politics, economics, diplomacy, military strategy, security, and sovereignty are inseparable. The Bangladesh Army has always played a relevant role in the nation's political history, sometimes even becoming a focal point of discussion. In 2024, the way the army has participated in the restoration of democracy has naturally raised expectations on the force.

The trust placed in Army Chief Waqar is growing. Despite being a hero, he is not indulging in heroism. From a responsible position, he has exercised his discretion to keep the army outside political conflicts.

Such a responsible and professional stance in favour of democracy has made him not just a living legend but also enhanced the dignity of the army. His timely and correct decisions have widened the path for national unity and democracy.

How strong democracy will be in Bangladesh's future now depends on political parties. However, this does not mean the army's responsibilities have ended. Thanks to its role in 2024, the army and the army chief have many important tasks ahead — and they are carrying them out.

Given the overall unavoidable situation, the army remains deployed with magistracy powers. Their presence has safeguarded the nation from many potential dangers. The army’s ongoing efforts — ensuring public security, preventing anarchy, protecting communal harmony, keeping mills and factories operational, securing KPIs and vital installations, keeping roads and highways free, recovering illegal arms and ammunition, ensuring the safety of foreign diplomats and embassies — are deeply appreciated by conscientious citizens.

There has been no fanfare or publicity about this, nor is the army accustomed to seeking it.

Additionally, the army is carrying out police duties: arresting drug dealers and those associated with drug crimes, as well as capturing identified criminals and sabotage planners.

It is still a daunting task to bring the battered and crumpled police force back to regular duty. Other forces are slowly becoming more professional. The army has had to put in extra effort to normalise them. This is the result of patriotism and trust.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh, the role of the army in the steps taken to form an interim government has been praised in the reactions from members of the global community, including the United States and the United Nations. On that day, the army not only contributed to the political settlement but also demonstrated patriotism in maintaining law and order.

It even arranged proper medical treatment for the injured during various phases of the anti-discrimination student movement. Treatment was organised at different Combined Military Hospitals (CMHs) across the country, and several seriously injured individuals were sent abroad for advanced treatment. After the restoration of democracy, there is now a strong aspiration for the army’s active participation in ensuring a free and fair election.

Alongside the timely actions of the army, several remarks made by the Chief of Army Staff have further encouraged his troops. Stressing that the army would not interfere politically, he declared, “I will not do anything that would harm my army. I am a professional soldier. I want to keep my army professional.” General Waqar also said that the army would contribute to improving the law and order situation across the country and play a role in implementing new dreams, depending on the needs of the government. Through this, a new chapter has been added to the continuous contribution of the Bangladesh Army, born out of the bloody Liberation War, in the nation-building process.

Following the latest shift in the political landscape, many are unaware of the kind of instability that arose in different industrial areas of the country, how many roads and highways were blockaded, how much unrest was created in educational institutions, or how government offices and agencies faced complications. Army personnel have resolved these issues. They have also defused an unpleasant situation at the Ijtema ground in Tongi. The army ensured that important religious and cultural festivals — including Christmas, Puja, religious gatherings (mahfil), Urs, the Rash Mela, and the Nabanna festival — were celebrated peacefully.

Ordinarily, such responsibilities fall on the police. However, due to the police force’s poor condition, the army had to take over these functions.

Officers of the armed forces, from the rank of Captain and above, are working with executive magistracy powers — quietly, without any fanfare or show of strength. Without their presence on the ground, it is still beyond some people’s imagination what the situation might have looked like.

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The writer is a Journalist and columnist; Deputy Head of News, Banglavision