Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said that Bangladesh’s independence and development remain secure only under the stewardship of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion organised by BNP’s Daganbhuiyan Upazila and Municipal units on the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman.
“One party talks about independence but neither declared it nor wanted it. Another opposed it. At that critical moment, Major Ziaur Rahman declared independence,” Mintoo said. He highlighted Zia’s leadership during the Liberation War and noted the country’s transformation under his guidance.
Mintoo recalled that Ziaur Rahman, founder of the BNP, was assassinated on 30 May 1980, and that his wife, Begum Khaleda Zia, carried forward his ideals, contributing to nation-building. He added that the people once again exercised their voting rights in the free and fair general election on 12 February this year, giving their mandate to the BNP.
Upholding the legacies of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, he said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has set the country on the path of development.
On social concerns, the minister stressed that responsibility for tackling drug abuse and juvenile gangs lies not only with parents but also with teachers, political and social leaders, and the administration. “Everyone must work together to ensure peace and order,” he said, emphasising that BNP leaders and activists, as the ruling party, have a leading role in maintaining public security.
Mintoo urged party members to remain united and put aside internal differences. “Competition may exist within a large party, but it should never turn into hostility,” he said.
The programme was chaired by Upazila BNP President Md Akbar Hossain and moderated by Municipal BNP Member Secretary Humayun Kabir Babu. BNP National Executive Committee member Advocate Mezbah Uddin Khan, District BNP Convener Sheikh Farid Bahar, and other senior leaders and youth and student wing members also spoke.
The event concluded with a munajat led by Maulana Enayetur Rahman, seeking eternal peace for the soul of Ziaur Rahman.
