Standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Nazrul Islam Khan, called on party supporters to work collectively to ensure victory for candidates contesting under the party’s sheaf of paddy symbol in the upcoming election.
He made the remarks during a discussion titled “Shaheed Zia, workers’ awakening, production and development” held at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka.
Highlighting the party’s 31-point programme, Nazrul said it addresses the needs of all groups, especially workers, and emphasized that public support for the programme would help continue the development initiatives started by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.
He pointed out the growing economic inequality in Bangladesh, noting that while the number of millionaires has increased rapidly in recent years, millions of people have grown poorer.
“This demonstrates unequal development, where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few instead of reaching all,” he said.
Nazrul stressed that Shaheed Zia envisioned development that created equal opportunities for all.
“Shaheed Zia focused on generating employment both domestically and abroad. He promoted industries requiring a larger workforce, boosted agricultural production, increased industrial output, and supported small and cottage industries,” he said.
He also highlighted Zia’s efforts in institution-building, noting the establishment of the Palli Bidyut Board, which later contributed to rural electrification, and his initiatives for women’s advancement and children’s welfare, including setting up Shishu Park and Shishu Academy, and introducing new programmes on television.
