BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman brought an unprecedented change to Bangladesh within just three and a half years of his rule.
“On one hand, he reintroduced multiparty democracy and brought the country back from one-party rule and BAKSAL. On the other hand, he introduced a free-market economy. I believe this was the first phase of Bangladesh’s transformation,” Fakhrul said.
“In just three and a half years, he brought such an extraordinary change that Bangladesh, once labelled a ‘bottomless basket’, turned into a country moving towards prosperity,” he added.
Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, made the remarks after paying tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary.
Describing Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, a pioneer and reintroducer of multiparty democracy and the architect of modern Bangladesh, he said BNP could not properly observe the day for nearly 17 years due to what he termed fascist repression.
“I still remember that when we came here once, many of our leaders were injured in police firing. Today, we are observing the day in a free environment,” the BNP leader said.
He said Ziaur Rahman tried to transform the country’s old and decaying system after being elected to state leadership through a democratic process.
Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman had rescued the country from the aftermath of the 1974 famine and economic mismanagement and led Bangladesh towards food surplus and increased agricultural production.
“That period was a time of transformation for our society and country, and he provided the leadership for that change by uniting the people,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as Zia’s worthy successor, the BNP secretary general said the government has already launched programmes aimed at reforms and production growth.
“We have started reform initiatives and production-oriented programmes. Family Card, Farmers’ Card and other initiatives have already created a new momentum in Bangladesh,” he said.