BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the Liberation War of Bangladesh began with the declaration of independence made by former president Ziaur Rahman, adding that Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparably linked.
He made the remarks at a discussion meeting held on Sunday at the Krishibid Institution (KIB) in Dhaka, marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.
BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest.
Fakhrul said that while many political parties today speak strongly about state reforms, it was the BNP that introduced major institutional reforms and laid the foundation of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh.
He stated that Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of independence marked the beginning of the Liberation War, through which Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign state on the world map.
Referring to the political developments of 1971 and 1975, he said Major Zia inspired the nation during the Liberation War and later, following the 1975 Sepoy-People’s Revolution, united the country as a military leader and took responsibility for rebuilding the state.
Fakhrul further said that Ziaur Rahman established a distinct national identity through Bangladeshi nationalism, which defined the country’s political and cultural independence.
He also rejected claims that reform initiatives were absent in BNP’s political history, asserting that major reforms were initiated under Ziaur Rahman’s leadership.
Highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s contributions to state-building, he said efforts were made to ensure press freedom, judicial independence, and the development of democratic institutions during his tenure.
On economic development, Fakhrul noted Ziaur Rahman’s initiatives in agriculture, including canal excavation programmes and the introduction of high-yield rice varieties, which helped Bangladesh recover from the 1974 famine and achieve food surplus by 1980.
He also credited Ziaur Rahman with laying the foundation of key economic sectors such as the readymade garment industry and overseas manpower export.
Fakhrul described Ziaur Rahman as a leader of exceptional integrity, adding that even political opponents acknowledged his statesmanship. He said the large turnout at Zia’s funeral reflected the deep emotional bond between the leader and the people of Bangladesh.
