Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was a rare patriotic leader and a true nation-builder.
“Ziaur Rahman dedicated his entire life to the country and its people. In a very short span of time, he made remarkable contributions to agriculture, industry, the economy, literature, and culture,” Fakhrul said while speaking as the chief guest at a publication ceremony organised by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB). The programme highlighted Ziaur Rahman’s foreign and development policies and his role regarding the Farakka Barrage.
Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman’s first cabinet was widely known as a “Galaxy of Intellectuals,” as it included some of the country’s finest minds. “This was possible because he believed in running the state with competent, knowledgeable, and expert individuals,” he added.
The BNP Secretary General said Shaheed President Zia revived a war-ravaged economy and transformed it into a potentially prosperous one. “His vision of maintaining balanced diplomatic relations with the Western world, China, India, and Russia was also exceptional,” he noted.
Referring to the 1979 parliamentary election, Fakhrul said the parliament at that time included representatives from diverse political opinions and ideologies, setting an example of a consensus-based and intellectually strong legislature.
“Ziaur Rahman was a natural leader whose honesty and discipline were legendary. He was uncompromising against corruption and nepotism. His simple lifestyle, personal integrity, and direct connection with the people inspired the nation,” Fakhrul said.
He alleged that those who opposed the existence of Bangladesh were responsible for the assassination of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and claimed that the same forces are still conspiring to destroy new national prospects. Fakhrul stressed that Ziaur Rahman’s philosophy of nationalism remains the core foundation of Bangladesh and urged the nation to move forward by embracing it.
Calling on people not to lose hope, he said moving ahead with dignity and confidence would be the greatest tribute to Ziaur Rahman.
Economist Prof Mahbub Ullah presided over the event, while PIB Director General, journalist and author Faruk Wasif moderated it. BNP Acting Chairman’s Adviser Mahdi Amin and BRAIN Executive Director Dr Shafiqur Rahman also spoke.
Prof Mahbub Ullah said Ziaur Rahman made outstanding contributions to statecraft and nation-building. “It is uncertain whether such an exceptional thinker will be born again in this country. His untimely death was an immeasurable loss,” he remarked.
On national institutions, he said problems arise when they are used for personal or partisan interests. “At that point, nation-building gives way to party interests. Ziaur Rahman always opposed this and prioritised competence and honesty regardless of political affiliation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul also spoke at a separate programme jointly organised by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).
At the event, the BNP Secretary General said he never wanted a country where media houses come under attack.
