Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury. File Photo.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury yesterday apologised for his remarks on Army Chief Gen Aziz Ahmed at a TV programme.

“I carelessly presented wrong information about current Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed during a discussion at Somoy TV's talk show on October 9. I sincerely apologise for the improper statement and wrong choice of words,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, reports UNB.

Zafrullah said he had no aim to defame the army chief. “I don't have any such intention either.”

He said Gen Aziz was neither a GOC of Chittagong Cantonment nor a commandant. “He is an efficient military official.”

Mentioning that Aziz worked as a trainer of artillery at Chittagong Cantonment, the Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder said he faced a court of inquiry, not a court martial.

“I again sincerely apologise if I apathetically hurt General Aziz.”

ARMY PROTESTS COMMENT

Bangladesh Army yesterday called “completely untrue, misleading and motivated” the recent comment by Zafrullah regarding the army chief, reports BSS.

In a statement, the defence force said the comment affected every military personnel's morale, the force's solidarity and extremely belittled the army's top position.

“The untrue and irresponsible comment by a renowned person like Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury regarding a serving army chief appears to be completely motivated to belittle a state organisation like the army before the people.”

The statement, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate, added that the comments not only affected Gen Aziz's reputation and social status, but also “extremely belittled” the army chief's position.

“In a different way it misled every serving military personnel and affected negatively their morale. Besides such a misleading campaign harmed the solidarity and unity of a disciplined force like the army which is unexpected,” it read.

In a talk show titled “Sampadokyo” aired on Somoy TV on October 9, Zafrullah said the army chief was the force's Chattogram area GOC when a huge cache of military weapons and ammunitions “went missing, were stolen or sold out” from there.

He said the incident exposed Gen Aziz to a court martial.

The army statement said, “No incident of theft or going missing took place in Chattogram or Cumilla during that period. It is especially mentionable that Chief of Army Staff Aziz Ahmed did never face any court martial during his long colourful army career.”