"The nation will always remember with due respect the unique examples set by the President's Guard Regiment in performing their duty," he told a function marking the 30th founding anniversary of President' Guard Regiment at its headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment.

Iajuddin said the PGR has earned appreciation of all with their presence in different state programmes alongside providing security and maintaining protocol. "I feel that the duties you are performing are glorious on one hand and riskier on the other," he told the regiments.

Earlier, Chief of Army Staff Lt General Moeen U Ahmed, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Major General Mustafa Reza Noor and Brig Gen M Sharifuddin and Brig Gen of PGR Commandant Abu Sohel received the President on his arrival at the headquarters.

He was also given a guard of honour by the PGR members.

Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral M Hasan Ali Khan, Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam and high officials of army, and present and former PGR members were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said there was no alternative to training and exercise for facing the new challenges and strengthening the PGR.

She expressed her happiness that PGR has given importance to training apart from providing security and maintaining protocol.

She was addressing the PGR officers and jawans in the afternoon on occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of the unit at Dhaka Cantonment.

On her arrival at the PGR unit, Khaleda Zia was received by Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Moeen U Ahmed, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Maj Gen Mustafa Reza Noor, Brigade Commander of the 46th Brigade Brig Gen Md Sharifuddin and Commandant of the PGR Brig Gen Abu Sohel.

The Prime Minister inspected the Quarter Guards and took salute.

Formed in 1975 with 407 members, PGR has now developed into a unit of 1473 members providing protocol and security to the President, the Prime Minister and visiting foreign dignitaries.

In her address, the Prime Minister said her government has always gives emphasis on necessary reform and expansion of the unit for the welfare of its members apart from equipping it.