Bangladesh Army following model of Pak Army

[iajdani]

---

---

The business Bangladesh Army is carrying out in the country, is just following the model of Pakistan Army, reported the second episode of the nine-part BBC radio documentary "Probaho" yesterday.

The documentary revealed this while investigating business projects of Bangladesh Army, particularly the Mongla Cement Factory in Khulna.

Regarding the relations between two armies, eminent expert on military affairs in the sub-continent Dr Ayesha Siddika told the weekly BBC documentary, “There is a keen interest in building links with Bangladesh. I mean, older officers, Pakistan Army officers, want to develop a close relationship with Bangladesh Army.”

Ayesha also said that she had taken part in many discussions in which high ranked officials of Pakistan Army and Air Force talked without due respect and dignity that another sovereign country deserves.

“I know a retired general of Pakistan who is a businessman nowadays and frequents to Bangladesh. He can be defined as a medium of communication,” Ayesha added.

While investigating the history of Mongla Cement Factory, a concern of Bangladesh Army Welfare Trust, the documentary found that a bilateral deal was signed between Pakistan and Bangladesh on October 13, 1988 focusing on a loan of $ 5 crore at 2 percent interest.

The deal was signed at a time when Gen Ziaul Haque of Pakistan was killed in a mysterious plane crash nearly two to three months back and Pakistan was heading for a general election.

The then Pakistan Army chief was Aslam Begh when Pakistan government approved the loan for Bangladesh considering it as a state matter, the documentary said.

The Mongla factory was financed by a portion of the loan. A government document shows though there were discrepancies in the deal the two states signed, Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS) did not face much problem in purchasing machineries for the cement factory project.

The documentary quoted a letter addressed to the then managing director of SKS on June 6, 1990.

“The deal between SKS and Pakistan Heavy Mechanical Complex Ltd have discrepancies …..The institutional deal allows payment in advance, which was not entertained in the state deal. We need an immediate explanation in this regard,” the letter reads.

The time when the cement factory was financed also coincides with the military rule in Bangladesh.

High ranking army officers of that time confirmed BBC that the then Pakistan high commissioner in Bangladesh was much eager to have the loan used in implementing the cement project of SKS.

The documentary said that the cement factory in 2008 earned Tk 24 crore as profit--equivalent to the half of the total business profit earned from the business ventures under the trust.

The trust was established in Bangladesh in June in 1998 following the model of Pakistan Army Welfare Trust, which was established in 1965.

Pakistan army established the trust showing reasons that as army is the biggest defence force in the country and largest number of personnel are going into retirement every year, the force needs a separate business platform for welfare of the soldiers, said a book titled "Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy" by Ayesha Siddiqa.

The projects taken under the trust are more profitable than SKS's and mainly controlled by army headquarters, the documentary added


Bangladesh Army following model of Pak Army

[bd_4_ever]

A bright example of the two nation's friendship....

to the Pakistani brothers....

Btw, where does the profits made by cement factory go....?? Mostly pensions, isnt it....?? Or is it a pure business venture....please shed some light....


Cheers!!!

[notsuperstitious]

I'm personally against army and linked organisations running businesses.

Army has a job, a noble one, but its also run by human beings who are not above human weaknesses. Why add areas of potential interest clash with civilians or civilian infrastructure as in business there is competition. Or worse yet, give army an incentive to remove the competition itself?

Also, army's finances should strictly be under civilian control as people elect the civilian government, so I feel safer that way.

[somebozo]

bangladesh heavily relies on PK for millitary training and doctrine development so no wonder they will adapt their influences as well.

[fatman17]

I'm personally against army and linked organisations running businesses.

Army has a job, a noble one, but its also run by human beings who are not above human weaknesses. Why add areas of potential interest clash with civilians or civilian infrastructure as in business there is competition. Or worse yet, give army an incentive to remove the competition itself?

Also, army's finances should strictly be under civilian control as people elect the civilian government, so I feel safer that way.

if they provide employment and pay their taxes there shd be no issue - further it provides mid-level retired officers a chance to learn 'management skills' other than warfighting.

[fatman17]

bangladesh heavily relies on PK for millitary training and doctrine development so no wonder they will adapt their influences as well.

i am not so sure if this is true - BDA and BDAF officers are also sent to India and other nations.

[blain2]

I'm personally against army and linked organisations running businesses.

Army has a job, a noble one, but its also run by human beings who are not above human weaknesses. Why add areas of potential interest clash with civilians or civilian infrastructure as in business there is competition. Or worse yet, give army an incentive to remove the competition itself?

Also, army's finances should strictly be under civilian control as people elect the civilian government, so I feel safer that way.

The finances are under the control of the civilians. However for retired officers and soldiers, the Army has a structure in place to take care of their own. Its a self sustaining enterprise that does not require public money to keep it afloat. This enterprise is run by retired officers and employs retired personnel.

[somya]

A bright example of the two nation's friendship....

to the Pakistani brothers....

Btw, where does the profits made by cement factory go....?? Mostly pensions, isnt it....?? Or is it a pure business venture....please shed some light....


Cheers!!!

Hmm.....

It means more military dictator in BD in future.

[bd_4_ever]

Hmm.....

It means more military dictator in BD in future.

I shall take that as sarcasm....


Cheers!!!

[notsuperstitious]

if they provide employment and pay their taxes there shd be no issue - further it provides mid-level retired officers a chance to learn 'management skills' other than warfighting.

The finances are under the control of the civilians. However for retired officers and soldiers, the Army has a structure in place to take care of their own. Its a self sustaining enterprise that does not require public money to keep it afloat. This enterprise is run by retired officers and employs retired personnel.

Dept of education making money by selling research - OK, army making money by selling defence equipment or services - OK, but pure business ventures? For raising money, for welfare, for training officers in business, there are other methods. Creating a potential clash of interest with civilians is not a good idea particularly as armed forces have the potential to influence state or worse - take over.

Besides, I don't think army should be self sustaining, its fortunes must be directly linked with the state that its supposed to protect.

Checks and balances in the system. Just my opinion.

[Spring Onion]

Dept of education making money by selling research - OK, army making money by selling defence equipment or services - OK, but pure business ventures? For raising money, for welfare, for training officers in business, there are other methods. Creating a potential clash of interest with civilians is not a good idea particularly as armed forces have the potential to influence state or worse - take over.

Besides, I don't think army should be self sustaining, its fortunes must be directly linked with the state that its supposed to protect.

Checks and balances in the system. Just my opinion.

do you even understand how does it works here in Pak??? I dont think so you are aware of the working.

[notsuperstitious]

do you even understand how does it works here in Pak??? I dont think so you are aware of the working.

I'm not talking abt Pakistan Army so I don't have to know. I'm talking abt the general principal of civilian supremacy and suggesting one way in which is can be ensured. May be Pakistan army has devised a way to get this to work for them without compromising the civilian supremacy or national interest ( - not just in the field of security), but in my opinion its dangerous as it weakens the internal controls of the state machinery.

[bd_4_ever]

Dept of education making money by selling research - OK, army making money by selling defence equipment or services - OK, but pure business ventures? For raising money, for welfare, for training officers in business, there are other methods. Creating a potential clash of interest with civilians is not a good idea particularly as armed forces have the potential to influence state or worse - take over.

Besides, I don't think army should be self sustaining, its fortunes must be directly linked with the state that its supposed to protect.

Checks and balances in the system. Just my opinion.

Well....lets take a look at the the side....such 'business ventures' may work out to be good for an army that is always short of cash to make procurements and has limitations....and in a way, it is helping reduce govt. expenditure on aspects such as pensions....raising money to maintain armed forces and simultaneously improving it is not an easy task, especially for countries like us....hence, i see less harm in such activities, but that is just me....

However, just for knowledge....have Indian Army undertaken such ventures anytime....??


Cheers!!!

[Ojana]

Creating a potential clash of interest with civilians is not a good idea particularly as armed forces have the potential to influence state or worse - take over.

You are talking about conflict/clash between civilian and army interest.

I'm thinking that - is there really any serious record of this type of conflict in BD. I think interests of both are going always progressively, nicely and separately without clash.

[Guynextdoor]

---

---

A bright example of the two nation's friendship....

to the Pakistani brothers....

Btw, where does the profits made by cement factory go....?? Mostly pensions, isnt it....?? Or is it a pure business venture....please shed some light....


Cheers!!!

It's a very very dangerous trend. Open this pandora's box and you will live to regret it. Most importantly, not be able to close it. Let soldeirs do what they are supposed to do- guard your country. If someone wants to be in business, let him retire from service and then do it. NEVER at any time else. Right now they pak army even skims off some drugs cash- you want to see your army do that?