PM Rahman urges guards to balance security with public access

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the President Guard Regiment (PGR) to maintain a delicate balance between ensuring his security and remaining accessible to the public. Addressing the PGR's 51st founding anniversary, Rahman stated that security arrangements should never create a sense of detachment between the head of government and the citizens.

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As the head of a democratic government, I want to continue placing my trust in and relying on the confidence and love of people. Security arrangements should not distance the head of government from the people.

"As the head of a democratic government, I want to continue placing my trust in and relying on the confidence and love of people. Security arrangements should not distance the head of government from the people," Rahman said. He reiterated a similar message previously given to the Special Security Force (SSF), highlighting the importance of public trust in a democratic system. Rahman acknowledged the challenges PGR members face in providing security during public rallies and official events across the country.

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While carrying out these assignments, you have to strike a balance between maintaining the security of the Head of Government and ensuring the comfort and convenience of citizens in their daily lives. Your security strategies must therefore be designed with this balance in mind.

Rahman urged the PGR to carefully consider the comfort and convenience of citizens in their daily lives when designing security strategies. He also stressed the critical need for modern security forces to adapt to evolving threats, including cyber warfare, electronic warfare, drone attacks, and information warfare. This requires continuous training and the strengthening of technological capabilities.

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My appeal to you is that security arrangements should be planned in such a way that people do not feel disconnected from their prime minister.

The prime minister affirmed that the government is committed to modernizing specialized forces like the PGR and SSF. He reminded PGR members to uphold the highest standards of courage, integrity, loyalty, professionalism, and discipline, while strictly adhering to the chain of command. Rahman also paid tribute to PGR personnel who sacrificed their lives protecting his father, former president Ziaur Rahman, during an assassination attempt in 1981.

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As a specialised force, the PGR cannot afford to fall behind in courage, skills, tactics or the use of modern technology.