BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party intends to advance the nation by following the path shown by the late president Ziaur Rahman. He noted that within a short period, the late president provided Bangladesh with a distinct identity and a foundation of self-respect.
Fakhrul, also the minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives, was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Independent and Neutral Diplomacy of Ziaur Rahman in the Current Context” and a newspaper exhibition held at the PIB Auditorium in the capital on Thursday.
The event was organised by Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon chaired the session.
Addressing the gathering, Fakhrul remarked that Ziaur Rahman assumed state power during a period of crisis and instability, taking initiatives to rebuild the country by involving all political forces.
Fakhrul emphasised that the late president’s objective was to move the nation forward on the basis of national unity.
“Zia did not want to build Bangladesh as a rival or a dependent state of any country,” Fakhrul said. He added that Ziaur Rahman believed in the country’s own strength, capabilities, and its people, which made him immensely popular.
Fakhrul further observed that the ideals and leadership of Ziaur Rahman are reflected in the way the current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, is governing the country.
Recalling the 1971 Liberation War, the BNP Secretary General mentioned that when the nation faced uncertainty in March 1971, Ziaur Rahman risked his life to declare independence and played a vital role in organising the nation for the war.
He reflected on the long history of discrimination and oppression by Pakistani rulers, noting that while the masses supported a political force in hopes of freedom, they were once again deprived of expected democracy after independence.
He asserted that the limitless exploitation and torture by the pre-1971 Pakistani rulers could never be forgiven, adding that no other event can be compared to the history of the Liberation War.
Referring to the previous election, Fakhrul stated that a planned campaign was carried out on social media and other platforms suggesting that Jamaat-e-Islami would come to power with a huge mandate and that even he would be defeated.
However, he claimed that the people ultimately voted in favour of the BNP, believing that democracy and national interests are safest in the party’s hands.
The programme, moderated by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif, was also addressed by economist Dr Mushtaq Khan, ANM Muniruzzaman, senior journalist Abu Rushd, and the Executive Director of BRAIN, Dr Safiqur Rahman.
The speakers discussed in detail Ziaur Rahman’s political philosophy, independent foreign policy, and his contributions to the formation of the state.
