The interim government has reinstated the Independence Award of former President Ziaur Rahman (posthumous) declared in 2003 and picked individuals for this year's Independence Award, the highest civilian award, for their outstanding contributions to the country.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday.
The then government had revoked the Independence Award of Ziaur Rahman given in 2003 following a Supreme Court order in 2016.
As there is no directive on the cancellation of the Independence Award given to Ziaur Rahman, the interim government revoked the decision of the previous government considering his outstanding contributions to the Liberation War.
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This year’s Independence award recipients are Professor Jamal Nazrul Islam (posthumous), Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (posthumous), Sculptor Novera Ahmed (posthumous), Abrar Fahad (posthumous), Badruddin Mohammad Umar, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed and Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Khan alias Azam Khan (posthumous).
Bangladesh has been honouring individuals and institutions with the award every year ahead of Independence Day since 1977.
Last year, 10 individuals received the Independence Award.