Waker-uz-Zaman was born into a highly-educated and wealthy Bengali Muslim family on 16 September 1966 in Dhaka during East Pakistan, his family was originally from Sherpur in Mymensingh Division. His father was Asad-uz-Zaman, a well-known district judge. Waker-uz-Zaman's paternal grandfather was Fazlur Rahman of Sherpur, Fazlur Rahman was given the prestigious title of Khan Bahadur by the erstwhile ruling British for his services to the nation. Waker-uz-Zaman's maternal grandfather Sadiq Khan was also honored with the title of Khan Bahadur.[13][14]
He was appointed as Chief of General Staff (CGS) of Bangladesh Army on 29 December 2023.[22] General Waker is also worked as the acting chairman of the Central Coordination Committee of Cantonment Public Schools and Colleges. On 11 June 2024, Government of Bangladesh appointed him as the next chief of army staff.[23]
Interim government formation and support
On 5 August 2024, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and self-imposed exile from Bangladesh amidst the Student-People's uprising, Waker announced his intention to form an interim government with the support of the political parties and the protesters, promising that the military would investigate violence against protesters and hand over power. Members of the interim government led by Nobel laureateMuhammad Yunus were sworn in on the night of 8 August, three days after the Fifth Hasina cabinet was dissolved following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.[24] Zaman oversaw the oath-taking ceremony of Yunus in presence of political leaders, civil society leaders, generals and diplomats. Yunus was declared head of the interim government of Bangladesh, but other attendees that were sworn in to act as Yunus' interim cabinet members were referred to as "advisers" rather than Ministers. These new advisers included student protesters, such as, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, whom led the quota reform and the non-cooperation movement culminating in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.[25]
He hinted that the interim government may have 15 members for instance. However, he did not disclose their names and the possible tenure of the government.[26][27] He vowed to help and support the interim government to help it complete reforms following the constitutional crisis, and to held a general elections within 18 months.[28]
Personal life
Waker is married to Begum Sarahnaz Kamalika Rahman who is the eldest daughter of late General Mustafizur Rahman and the couple have two daughters.[17] His father-in-law General Rahman served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army from 24 December 1997 to 23 December 2000.[29]
^"Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman named new army chief". The Daily Star. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024. Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, OSP, SGP, psc, Chief of General Staff (CGS) has been promoted to general and appointed as the Chief of Army Staff