Rohingya crisis deepening economic, environmental strain: Army chief

Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said on Thursday that the Rohingya crisis is placing significant pressure on the country’s environment and economy, while drug trafficking, smuggling and other crimes continue in the affected areas.
He made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Capstone Course at the National Defence College (NDC) auditorium in Mirpur Cantonment on Thursday noon.
Outlining the challenges facing the country, the Army chief pointed to border issues, relations with neighbouring countries, unrest in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and the energy crisis, alongside the Rohingya situation.
He said the course participants had exchanged experiences and expert knowledge on these issues, which would help them contribute more effectively to addressing the country’s problems in their respective fields.
He added that such problems cannot be solved overnight and that bringing distinguished individuals to the NDC for courses like this enriches both the participants and the institution through the sharing of experiences.
Addressing the participants, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the experienced individuals who took part in the course could make important contributions to national problem-solving, policymaking and lawmaking.
He said the participants had been blessed with wisdom and had succeeded in their respective fields, and could use their knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
A total of 39 fellows took part in the course, which began on 20 August. The participants included members of parliament, senior military officials, noted academics, senior physicians, high-ranking representatives of government and private organisations, diplomats and prominent business figures.
He described the gathering as an excellent convergence of experience from different professions, saying the exchange of experiences among people from different professions and institutions had enriched mutual knowledge.
Thanking the NDC commandant, faculty and staff, the army chief said their effective conduct of the course was itself a success for the institution and expressed hope that such courses would continue in the future.
He also highlighted the friendships and mutual understanding built among the participants during the course, saying relationships formed among people with different professions and experiences could create greater coordination and strength in the future.
“When people with diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise come together, a synergy is created that helps the nation move forward and develop,” he said.
NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, speaking at the event, emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and consensus-building on issues of national importance.
He expressed hope that the active participation of the fellows during the course and the expansion of their strategic understanding would help build strong national bonds among leaders across sectors.
The Capstone Course, one of the NDC’s key training programmes, aims to build strategic awareness, develop constructive thinking, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and foster a shared vision on national security and development.
Senior military and civilian officials from the armed forces and various government and private institutions, NDC faculty and other distinguished guests attended the closing ceremony.