ডেস্ক রিপোর্ট
প্রকাশ: ২৮ জুলাই, ২০২৬ ১০:৩৪ পূর্বাহ্ন | দেখা হয়েছে ২৮ বার
(Written in Observance of International Security Officers' Day – 24 July)
1. I entered the private security services industry in 1994–95, a profession closely aligned with my previous career of more than 25 years in the uniformed services. By the infinite grace of Almighty Allah, I have now spent over three decades in the private security sector. During this period, I have had the privilege of establishing two major security companies in Bangladesh—Integrated Security Services Limited and Elite Security Services Limited (Elite Force).Today, Elite Force has grown into the largest private security company in Bangladesh, employing more than 23,000 personnel, the majority of whom come from rural communities across the country. We have also provided employment opportunities to many experienced retired members of the Armed Forces. Collectively, the private security industry has created employment for more than 1.2 million people, making a significant contribution to a country burdened with a large population and persistent unemployment.
2. Many people would be surprised to learn the enormous contribution made by Bangladesh's private security industry to the national economy and public safety. Today, more than 800 private security companies operate throughout the country, serving embassies, high commissions, United Nations agencies, international organisations, NGOs, industries, garment factories, pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions, commercial establishments, residential complexes, and countless other organisations. It is difficult to find any major public or private institution where private security personnel are not deployed. Special mention should be made of the Cash-in-Transit (CIT), ATM and Cash Management Services. Every day, more than 500 specialised and armoured cash-carrying vehicles safely transport approximately Tk. 15,000 to Tk. 20,000 crore across the country for banks and financial institutions. At the same time, these companies replenish and maintain cash supplies in over 25,000 ATMs nationwide. Should the private security companies cease operations even for a single day, the country's ATM network and cash movement system would virtually come to a standstill. This is an enormous and highly specialised operation that could not realistically be taken over by government forces at short notice. Our greatest satisfaction and sense of achievement lies in having helped create employment opportunities for over 1.2 million people, enabling countless unemployed individuals to earn a respectable livelihood.
3. Elite Force currently provides security services to more than 100 foreign clients and multinational corporations, which has contributed significantly to our financial stability. Bangladesh has emerged as a global garment manufacturing hub and an attractive destination for foreign investment because of its competitive labour force. Against this backdrop, Elite Force is privileged to serve many world-renowned organisations, including Google, Facebook, Pinkerton, Meta, Crisis24, Netflix, CNN, IKEA, Siemens, Deloitte, Philips, PwC, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank N.A., Woori Bank, Grameenphone, Telenor, Robi, Evercare Hospital, icddr,b, British Council and VFS Global, among many others. The confidence reposed in us by these prestigious international organisations enables us to command internationally competitive service charges. Consequently, over the past several years, Elite Force has independently contributed a substantial amount of foreign exchange earnings to the national exchequer. In addition to conventional guarding services, we have diversified our operations far beyond those of most private security companies. Our specialised services include:
a) Emergency Response Operations
b) Remote Area Security Operations
c) Workplace Disturbance Management
d) Maritime Security
e) Close and Executive Protection
f) Armed Security Services
g) Cash-in-Transit Operations
h) Due Diligence, Investigations and Insurance Verification
i) Event Security Management
j) Electronic Security Systems
k) Logistical Support Services
4. Elite Force has established some of the most advanced ("state-of-the-art") infrastructure in Bangladesh's private security industry. Our facilities include:
a. A seven-storey Corporate Headquarters located in the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, widely known as the "Mini Pentagon of Bangladesh."
b. Two Security Training Centres, including a dedicated
Overseas Employment Training Centre.
c. A Central Monitoring Centre.
d. A 24-hour Service Centre.
e. An SMS Alert Centre.
f. A Research and Development (R&D) Centre.
g. Four Emergency Response Units.
h. A highly specialised K-9 Dog Squad comprising more than 60 professionally trained dogs.
i. Recruitment and Training Centres.
j. The Elite Force Multipurpose Complex.
k. A Learning Centre.
l. Our K-9 Dog Squad represents one of our proudest achievements. To the best of our knowledge, very few private security organisations anywhere in the world operate such an extensive canine unit. Our dogs are professionally trained in sniffing, searching, guarding, patrolling, controlled attack operations, games, and demonstrations. We regularly organise public dog shows free of charge, which attract large audiences and serve as an important means of public awareness and community engagement.
5. Most of our facilities consist of one- or two-storey, barrack-style buildings rather than high-rise commercial towers. They provide ample space for physical training, sports, classrooms, accommodation and dining facilities. These establishments have become recognised as "Hallmarks of Excellence" within the private security industry. It is also a story of considerable sacrifice. Had we chosen commercial development, these valuable properties could easily have accommodated 20 to 25 high-rise towers, generating hundreds of crores of taka in profits. Instead, we consciously decided to invest in building professional security infrastructure. While this decision reflects our commitment to excellence, it has also involved tremendous financial sacrifice—a story in itself.
6. Our facilities have been visited by a former President of Bangladesh, serving and former Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, senior civil and military officials, former Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Chairmen, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of leading corporate organisations. We are also honoured to provide armed security personnel for Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate, while approximately 200 Elite Force security guards are currently deployed at his various establishments.
After personally inspecting our facilities, these distinguished visitors have described them as "Unique," "Awesome," "Amazing," "Incredible," "Outstanding," "World-Class," and "Unparalleled." These descriptions are not exaggerations but genuine reflections of what they witnessed.
7. Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have firmly established ourselves as one of the leading private security organisations both nationally and internationally. Today, our security personnel are prominently deployed across Bangladesh's banking, telecommunications, garment, diplomatic and corporate sectors.
8. In recent years, we have also designated Elite Force as a Charitable Organization and have undertaken an extensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. We have established a substantial Donation and Zakat Fund, through which we provide daily assistance to underprivileged people on a modest scale. Every day, we provide lunch to approximately 150–200 disadvantaged children and encourage them to attend school. We operate an English Learning Centre and have established a Computer Laboratory equipped with more than 50 computers in a remote rural village. We provide scholarships and tuition assistance to talented students, particularly the children of our security personnel. We also run scholarship programmes to support higher education at colleges and universities for the children of our guards. In addition, we support a large number of schools, madrasas, and orphanages through financial assistance and other forms of charitable contributions.
9. We organize blood donation programmes two to three times every year. We operate free medical clinics to provide healthcare services to underprivileged communities. Every winter, we distribute 10,000 to 15,000 blankets among the poor. We also run an old-age home. Furthermore, we provide traffic and security assistance to five local mosques in the Gulshan and Baridhara areas. We regularly sponsor sporting events, children's welfare programmes, and various community initiatives. In truth, our CSR activities are so extensive that it would be impossible to describe them all in a single article.
10. To enable the Private Security Industry in Bangladesh to become stronger and more professional, substantial support from the Government is essential. Most security companies lack the financial capacity to provide modern, technology-driven, and digital training to their personnel. Despite making an enormous contribution to the country, society, and public safety, the private security profession still does not enjoy the social recognition and respect it deserves. Consequently, it attracts relatively few young people. The primary reason is the extremely low level of remuneration. The Government-prescribed minimum monthly wage for a security guard is only Tk. 9,000—equivalent to approximately US$60 per month. By comparison, in many developed countries, a security professional earns between US$150 and US$250 for a single eight-hour working day. In reality, the private security industry in Bangladesh remains a low-income profession. As a result, many families are reluctant to marry their daughters to a security guard because the profession offers little financial security and does not enjoy the same social status as other uniformed services.
11. Frankly speaking, the contribution of the Private Security Industry to the nation cannot be overstated. During the July–August 2024 movement, when regular policing in many areas had become ineffective, private security companies played an extraordinary role in maintaining public safety. During that period, Elite Force deployed 10–12 night patrol vehicles, free of charge, every night across Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Bashundhara, and Uttara. After Bhatara Police Station was completely destroyed by fire, we also extended assistance to help the police continue their office operations and daily activities. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our security personnel served as highly dedicated frontline workers, standing shoulder to shoulder with other essential service providers. Yet, unlike many others, they received no public recognition, applause, or financial incentives. They have remained the nation's unsung heroes. Nevertheless, despite all these challenges, the Private Security Industry has endured and continues to grow. In developed countries, private security is a multi-billion-dollar global industry. We sincerely hope that conditions in Bangladesh will improve in the years ahead, enabling our industry to contribute even more significantly to national development.
12. Before concluding, I would like to share a few personal reflections. During my military career, I had the honour of serving as ADC, Personal Staff Officer, and Commanding Officer of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) under seven to eight Presidents of Bangladesh. These responsibilities provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of the State and national governance. I have travelled to nearly 50 countries around the world. Throughout my military career, both during the Pakistan period and after the independence of Bangladesh, I consistently achieved high professional gradings. I graduated with distinction in almost every major military course, completed the prestigious Staff Course overseas, and also attended professional training in the United States. These experiences have shaped me into an extremely practical, realistic, and uncompromising individual. I am not easily convinced. My approach has always been to identify and address weaknesses before celebrating achievements. After retirement, I ventured into nearly 20–25 different businesses, most of which did not succeed. Ultimately, I found my true calling in the Private Security Industry. Even today, I am amazed when I reflect that every month we successfully pay salaries amounting to approximately Tk. 20–22 Crores to more than 23,000 security personnel, although arranging these payments within the scheduled timeframe remains an enormous challenge. Alhamdulillah, all praise and gratitude belong to Almighty Allah for every success we have achieved.
13. The Private Security Industry has firmly established itself as an indispensable sector of the economy. Across the developed world, it is recognised as a major professional industry generating billions of dollars in revenue while complementing public law enforcement agencies. We remain optimistic that Bangladesh will also witness similar progress, allowing the industry to contribute even more meaningfully to the nation's security, economy, and social development.
14. Final Words and a Humble Appeal. The true pioneer of the Private Security Industry in Bangladesh was Group Captain (Retd.) Taher Quddus, an exceptionally professional, visionary, and respected officer of the Bangladesh Air Force. It would not be an exaggeration to describe him as the "Father of the Private Security Industry in Bangladesh." Nearly 40 years ago, he revolutionized the concept of private security by replacing the traditional Darwan and Chowkidar system with professionally managed, uniformed security services. On behalf of all those associated with this industry, I respectfully appeal to the Government of Bangladesh to recognise his invaluable contribution and honour him at the national level.
15. Finally, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the owners, executives, managers, and dedicated employees of the more than 800 Private Security Companies operating across Bangladesh. Despite countless challenges, financial hardships, and adverse circumstances, they have continued to serve the nation with unwavering commitment and resilience. May Almighty Allah continue to guide us, protect us, and bless our efforts in serving our beloved country. Ameen.
Brigadier General Sharif Aziz, psc (Retd.)
Chairman
Elite Security Services Limited (Elite Force)
Elite Tower, House #03, Road #6/A, Block-J
Baridhara, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Mobile: +8801711-525617
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