BNP aims to toe Prez Zia’s path: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the party aims at moving forward following the political philosophy and state vision of its founder Ziaur Rahman.

He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion and newspaper exhibition titled "Ziaur Rahman's Independent and Neutral Diplomacy in the Current Context" at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium in the capital, marking the 45th anniversary of Ziaur Rahman's death.

"Bangladesh was facing severe instability when Ziaur Rahman assumed power. He worked to rebuild the country by bringing together political forces and promoting national unity," Fakhrul said.

He said Ziaur Rahman envisioned a state that was neither dependent on nor subordinate to any foreign power.
"He believed in Bangladesh's own strength and people, which is why he gained wide popularity," he said.

Linking the BNP's current political direction to its leadership, Fakhrul added: "We want to move forward along the path shown by Ziaur Rahman. The way Tarique Rahman is working to lead the country reflects the ideals of Shaheed Zia."

Referring to the 1971 Liberation War, he said that at a time when the country was engulfed in uncertainty, Ziaur Rahman risked his life to declare Bangladesh's independence and played a significant role in mobilising resistance.