Dhaka: Fresh threats to Bangladesh’s political stability amid heightened tensions in its military elite army Chief General Wakar-Uz-Zaman, who took command of the services in 2024, is engaged in a parallel ideological struggle with Quarter Master General (QMG) Lieutenant General Mohammad Faizur Rahman. Zaman is politically neutral and favours disengagement of the military from governance after political stability, while Rahman favours an expanded indigenous role in state matters and has relations with the Islamist forces.
Tensions escalated in early 2025 when Rahman reportedly met with the chief of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General Asim Munir, during Munir’s historic visit to Dhaka—the first such visit by an ISI chief in more than three decades. Security analysts asserted that they organised the meeting to coordinate intelligence operations, a claim that has heightened concerns about Pakistan. Unconfirmed reports suggest Rahman was involved in a previous coup attempt, a claim officials never confirmed.
General Zaman also recently warned of “external forces taking advantage of the instability of Bangladesh,” which some observers have taken to be a veiled reference to Pakistan’s meddling. He stressed that the military could step in if civilian rule breaks down. At the same time, the prominent position that gives Rahman boosts speculation that he may be appointed head of the DGFI when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina eventually leaves office.
Especially in light of Rahman appearing to have connections to the ISI and India-Pakistan history—Rahaman’s origins come from a region that was divided during the India-Pakistan partition—India remains watchful. Intelligence reports suggest attempts to create disunity among sections of the Bangladesh military, exploiting ideological rifts between pro-Islamist and secular-nationalist elements within the Army. As Zaman’s term approaches its end, onlookers warn this power struggle might set off fresh chaos in the politically explosive country.