Published: 06:59 AM, 15 May 2026
Defence Adviser inspects ISPR office
Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Thursday visits the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate at Dhaka Cantonment. -ISPR
Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister, visited the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) office at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday (May 14, 2026). Defence Ministry Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin was also present during the visit, according to a press release received from ISPR yesterday.
Upon arrival at the ISPR office, the adviser was welcomed by the Director of ISPR, Lieutenant Colonel Sami Ud Doula Chowdhury. During the visit, the Defence Adviser met and exchanged greetings with all officers and staff members of the department. During the inspection, the ISPR Director briefed the Defence Adviser on the department's overall activities, responsibilities, coordination with the media, news dissemination process, research and publication activities, information preservation systems, and ongoing initiatives to present the activities of the armed forces to the public. The adviser was also informed about ISPR's existing capabilities, institutional limitations, and future development plans.
After being briefed on ISPR's overall operations, the Defence Adviser visited various sections of the department and observed its daily operational procedures, news preparation and dissemination process, information verification and preservation systems, and media coordination activities. He emphasized making ISPR's activities more dynamic, research-based, timely, and people-oriented.
The Defence Adviser said that, in addition to protecting the country's independence, sovereignty, and security, the armed forces play significant roles by standing beside the people during peacetime, disasters, crises, and any moment of national need. He also noted that the professionalism, discipline, and humanitarian role of Bangladesh's armed forces in international arenas, including United Nations peacekeeping missions, are enhancing the country's image globally.
He further stated that, in many cases, due to conservative information flow, limited publicity, and insufficient public engagement, people do not receive a complete and accurate understanding of the multidimensional activities of the armed forces. In this context, he said ISPR must play a supportive role in strengthening communication between the armed forces and the public. He added that patriotism, professionalism, welfare-oriented activities, disaster assistance, contributions to national development, and Bangladesh's positive role in the international arena must be presented to both the national and international community in an information-based, responsible, and credible manner.
Highlighting the importance of presenting accurate information at the right time in the current age of information flow, the Defence Adviser said that ISPR must work through a more modern, coordinated, and effective communication structure in order to uphold national interests, public trust, and the professional image of the armed forces. To achieve this, he instructed the department to further strengthen research, information preservation, media coordination, digital communication, publication activities, and public engagement initiatives.
The Defence Adviser also provided overall guidance for improving the standards of the department, enhancing institutional capacity, and properly presenting the activities of the armed forces at both national and international levels, the press release concludes.
