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. Not possible for me to receive Independence Award: Badruddin Umar 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.

The BNP paid homage to its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Sunday on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11:15am.  They later offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon, Abdus Salam, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Mir Sarafat Ali, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Saiful Alam Nirab, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Amirulzzaman Khan Shimul, Dhaka north city unit president Aminul Haque and south city unit president Rafiqul Alam Mojnu were, among others, present. Leaders and activists of BNP's different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia's grave. Read: Zia’s 89th birth anniversary Sunday Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country's seventh President. To mark the day, the party hosted the party flag atop all BNP offices across the country. BNP will also arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies are also observing the day with various programs, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes. The party’s city, district and upazila units are marking the day with different programmes. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia. He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the Liberation War, country’s development and restoration of multiparty democracy. The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.

BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar broke down in tears at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after his release from prison, following 17 years of incarceration.  Babar was freed from Dhaka’s central jail in Keraniganj around 1:45 pm, and made his way directly to Zia’s grave. Despite his frail health, he was accompanied by a convoy of several thousand BNP leaders and workers. The journey took approximately three hours.  Lutfozzaman Babar finally walks out of jail Upon arrival, Babar was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and broke down amidst his supporters. He was joined by BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. After regaining composure, Babar acknowledged the greetings of party leaders and workers. Babar first visited Zia’s grave, then went to the graves of his parents in Banani, before heading to his residence in Gulshan. Nazrul Islam Khan later spoke to the press, reflecting on Babar’s unjust imprisonment. “Our dear colleague, who endured over 17 years in prison and has now been proven innocent, is finally free,” he said. Babar among 6 acquitted in ten-truck arms haul case Khan added, “Babar, who was young and vigorous when imprisoned, was wrongfully incarcerated due to political vendetta and false charges. He spent nearly six years in a condemned cell. The toll on him has been immense, but we are grateful for the court’s decision to clear him of all charges.” Khan also praised Babar’s devotion to the BNP, noting that despite his ill health, he chose to visit Ziaur Rahman’s grave first, rather than go home to his family. A former Netrokona-4 MP, Babar served twice between 1991-1996 and 2001-2006. He was appointed the youngest state minister for home affairs in Khaleda Zia’s cabinet in 2001. High Court acquits Lutfozzaman Babar in corruption case Following his release, a large crowd gathered outside Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj to welcome him with flowers and congratulations. Babar’s legal battles began in 2007, resulting in multiple convictions, including two death sentences and one life sentence. However, after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, Babar was gradually acquitted of all charges, including an 8-year corruption sentence and a death sentence in the August 21 grenade attack case.

BNP on Thursday announced a day-long programme to observe the 89th birth anniversary of its founder and ex-president Ziaur Rahman on January 19. Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme after a joint meeting at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Khaleda, Tarique acquitted in Zia Orphanage graft case The programmes include placing wreaths at Zia's grave around 11 am and holding discussions at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital around 2 pm. The party has taken steps for publishing supplementary  in the national newspapers on the occasion. Apart from the central office, their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices across the country while various programmes, including discussions will be held in all districts, metropolitan cities, upazilas, thanas. Army chief meets Khaleda Zia Ziaur Rahman was born in Gabtoli in Bogura district on Janaury 19, 1936. Leaders of BNP and its associate bodies including BNP's Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Taiful Islam Tipu, Manir Hossain, Tariqul Islam, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Mostafa Zaman, Ishtiak Aziz Ulfat, Sadek Ahmed Khan, M Monayem Munna, Nurul Islam Nayan, Hasan Zafir Tuhin, Sultana Ahmed, Zahidur Rahman Zahid, Nasir Uddin Nasir, Kazi Abul Hossain, Jakir Hossain Rokon and Mujibur Rahman were present.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said a democratic system, ensuring people’s right to vote, must be established to address the country’s problems and resist all forms of conspiracy against the nation. Speaking at a training programme of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, he also announced that if his party returns to power, they will re-launch the canal digging programme initiated by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s to address farmers' water crises and boost agricultural production in an effort to reduce food imports. “The conspiracies against the country, its people, and the nationalist forces have not stopped. The nationalist forces must alert everyone, including those in rural areas, and convey the message that the problems in all sectors cannot be resolved until we establish a democratic system,” the BNP leader said. Tarique said people are getting to know about the plots to some extent through various news reports in newspapers, on social media, and even through telephone conversations. He also said without true representatives accountable to people, it will not be possible to control the market or eliminate business syndicates. "In the same way, it will be impossible to develop any sector of the country, from education to industry, or to contain corruption, or achieve any positive progress without a democratic system." Tarique urged the nationalist forces also to convey a message to the people, even at the union level, that the voting rights of citizens must be safeguarded at all costs. “You must tell the people that, regardless of which party’s politics they support or who they wish to vote for, their voting rights must be ensured. There’s no compromise with it” He also said no more sham elections or voting at night should be allowed in Bangladesh. “Voting must take place in daylight. There should be the freedom to vote for anyone you choose, and the freedom to vote safely. No one should be allowed to disturb and intimidate others.” The BNP leader said the election must be held in a fair and neutral manner without any fear. “If we can ensure this, we will gradually be able to ease the problems facing the country and its people.” The BNP leader also said that people's right to franchise must be restored to thwart all forms of plots. Democracy, voting rights key to solving national issues: Tarique Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal organised the day-long programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.  It has decided to hold farmers' rallies at the union level for the next three months. Tarique shared his party's future plans to improve the agriculture sector, enhance facilities for farmers, and take effective steps to increase all forms of agricultural production in order to keep commodity prices within the purchasing power of the common people. He also said Krishak Dal, the peasant wing of BNP, will be strengthened by involving more genuine farmers in the future." Tarique said BNP will try to resolve the problems the farmers are facing if it comes to power. He said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s canal digging programme, which effectively helped increase crop production, would be revived. “Farmers face water shortage for crop production. If BNP forms the government in the future, the canal digging programme will be restarted.” The BNP leader said this programme will address the farmers’ water crisis, help create water reservoirs, and reduce the reliance on underground water. Stating that the country’s population has now reached nearly 20 crore, Tarique emphasised that agriculture must be prioritised to produce food for such a large population. “It is not feasible to import food for so many people. So, basic food must be produced within the country. We need to consider how to expand agricultural land. There are certain measures we can take to increase agricultural land, but this will only be possible if we return to power,” he said. He also said a significant portion of women, including in the rural areas of Bangladesh, are involved in agriculture. “So, greater attention must be given to the agricultural sector.” Referring to the issue of farmers' seeds crisis, the BNP leader said, "We have considered agricultural insurance because crops are often damaged by natural disasters." He also said if a people's government is established, they will take many other steps to develop the agricultural sector, including the establishment of agro-based industries and the introduction of cooperative agriculture.

BNP will celebrate the 88th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday with due respect. Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman, founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981. BNP leader Khasru secures bail in 4 more cases BNP on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to mark the birth anniversary of its founder. As part of the programmes, the party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on Friday morning. Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am on Friday. TIB ‘giving weapon’ to anti-democratic forces with its report: Hasan Mahmud Meanwhile, BNP arranged a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes. 'BNP agent’: Quader calls TIB The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes. Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia. He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s development and restoration of ‘multiparty democracy’. The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.

BNP on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to observe the 88th birth anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir  Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. How new MPs took oath when tenure of outgoing parliament not yet expired, questions BNP’s Farooque As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19. Besides, the party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am on Friday. BNP-Jamaat’s evil designs will go in vain: Hasan Mahmud The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon on Thursday in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes. The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes. 'Low turnout indicates the pulse of the people': Rizvi Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's seventh president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

Since 1977, from the age of four, Bilkis Chowdhury has been carrying a photo of her war hero turned air force officer father.   Deprived of joyful childhood memories with her father, Bilkis cannot even offer prayers or put flowers at her father’s grave, as his body was never found.   For over four decades, Bilkis has been looking for answers, in vain and in agony. Was her father hanged, or was he shot? The perpetrators behind her father’s abrupt disappearance remain elusive, she says, courtesy of BNP founder and country’s first military ruler, Gen Ziaur Rahman. Read : Over 5 lakh BCL leaders, activists to join September 1 rally, announces  its president Saddam In 1977, during Zia’s rule, Bilkis’ father fell prey to what is deemed by researchers and historians as the “biggest purge” in the county’s armed forces, that saw freedom fighters turned officers ruthlessly executed without trial and their bodies disposed of without informing their families.   Bilkis’ father, Abul Bashar Khan, was a sergeant in the Air Force in 1977 when Gen Zia unleashed “a killing spree within the armed forces to consolidate his grasp on power.”   Bilkis’ father was disappeared following the landing of a Japanese Airlines Flight, hijacked by a terrorist group, in Dhaka.    “Gen Zia was responsible for the death of my father. Imagine the brutality and ruthlessness… we were never even informed of where my father’s remains were buried,” a sobbing Bilkis said.   Like Bilkis, a number of grief-stricken families whose loved ones were victims of the “purge” initiated by Gen Zia held a rally in Dhaka’s Shahbagh – demanding posthumous trial of the BNP founder – on International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances (August 30). Read : Rally held to demand release of Khadijatul Kobra  “Gen Zia was a killer, we demand trial of this dictator,” “How long will this impunity for extrajudicial killings continue?”, “Gen Zia ruthlessly executed war heroes without any trial” – some of the banners carried by the victim families read.   An elderly widow broke down in tears as she recounted her painful story, holding Gen Zia responsible for “all the doom that descended on her family” since the disappearance of her husband.   “I still don’t know where the remains of my husband are. He fought and won against the Pakistan army in 1971, and after independence he joined the armed forces to serve the country – only to be executed by Gen Zia,” she said.   Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, a senior journalist who authored a book in 1997 on those tumultuous years, said that he learned how hastily the executions were carried out from judges of the military tribunals. Read : AL shares photos of bamboo sticks allegedly distributed at BNP rally “The judges said Zia signed the orders, and they just read those out,” Pintu recalled. “I still get calls from family members of those killed during that time,” he said at a seminar earlier.   Following the brutal murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Gen Zia rose to become the army chief and later assumed the presidency in 1977.   Describing the atmosphere after the coup and chaos in 1975, investigative journalist and former South Asia correspondent of the Far Eastern Economic Review, Lawrence Lifschultz, suggested that the whole thing be investigated further. Lifschultz said the men behind that assassination would not move “without Zia’s backing.”   Addressing the August 30 rally, AL central committee member Tarana Halim, among others, held Gen Zia responsible for initiating the culture of disappearances and killings. She also reminded all of the wave of unprecedented violence unleashed on minorities when BNP-Jamaat ruled the country between 2001 and 2006.

BNP on Tuesday chalked out a 13-day programme to observe the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and  leader Ziaur Rahman with due respect. The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 10. The programmes were finalized at a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair. After the meeting, Fakhrul announced the programmes that include discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and wearing black badges, paying homage to Zia, and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute. Ziaur Rahman, a military-ruler-turned-president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981. As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30. Besides, party leaders and activists, led by senior leaders, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning. BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities, from May 29 to June 10 as part of the death anniversary programmes. The party leaders of Dhaka's south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30. The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.  

BNP has vowed to make the ongoing anti-government movement for ‘restoring democracy’ a success on the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman. BNP leaders and activists took the oath after placing wreaths at the grave of former president and the party founder Ziaur Rahman on his 87th birth anniversary at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city on Thursday. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the people of the country have woken up to thwart the plot of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule. Read more: Zia’s 87th birth anniversary Thursday “The entire nation has plunged into darkness. It has woken up to restore democracy and thwart conspiracy of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule,” he said while talking to reporters. “We hope that we’ll be able to organise people with a new pledge and win the movement of restoring democracy, protecting the multi-party democracy, protecting Bangladesh and saving independence and sovereignty of the country,” he said. The Liberation War started not only with the proclamation of independence by Ziaur Rahman, he also led the war against from the front side and after nine months the country became independent, said Fakhrul. “Ziaur Rahman within a short span of time united the divided nation and brought us from the darkness of one-party rule to the light of multi-party democracy,” he said. Read more: Zia's 87th birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes Earlier, around 11 am, BNP leaders including its senior leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, led by Mirza Fakhrul placed the wreaths at the grave of Zia and offered Munajat. Later, Fakhrul also inaugurated a free medical camp and a blood donation programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office at noon. BNP also published posters of Ziaur Rahman on the day. They also kept the national flag at half-mast.