BY Rumana Jaman

DHAKA, May 30, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan today said BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam was a successful statesman, a proponent of development politics and a restorer of multi-party democracy. 

“Ziaur Rahman was a symbol of honesty and integrity. He was the true architect of Bangladesh's development after post-independent period and a dreamer of a self-reliant modern country,” he told BSS in an interview on the eve of Ziaur Rahman’s 44th martyrdom anniversary. 

Moyeen added: “Ziaur Rahman was a frontline fighter of great Liberation War and created history by taking responsibility of the country during critical junctures.” 

The BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman acquired the necessary courage, determination, and wisdom to take the right decisions quickly during extremely difficult times. He became succeeded facing many problems and conspiracies to implement his vision. He had immense patriotism and dedication to his duty. 

“The people loved him with their hearts because he loved the people and was sincere in their welfare as well as they wholeheartedly accepted his directives, requests, and advices and became benefited from it,” he added. 

The BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman did nothing for himself or his family. 

Moyeen Khan said Ziaur Rahman was such a patriotic freedom fighter, who established peace in his motherland, created a platform for long-term prosperity and reestablished multi-party democracy. He was a reliable and hopeful beacon for the people to build a livable and dignified nation, he added. 

Recalling his memories with Ziaur Rahman he said, "We lost President Ziaur Rahman at a time when people hoped to develop the country under his leadership and Bangladesh had started to achieve dignity amidst global community. 

Under the cover of a deep conspiracy at home and abroad Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, leading to spoiling Bangladesh’s constant progress, he said. 

“Only the future can tell whether anyone else will be lucky enough to exceed the regards he acquired which was reflected by the presence of millions of tearful people in his funeral,” he said. 

The BNP leader said, the people of Bangladesh following the devastation and brutal massacre of the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 were so excited and courageous when they first heard 'I am Major Zia speaking' on March 27. Similarly, on November 7, 1975, during another terrible time, he woke up people. 

“Since everyone knows these truths, the memory of Shaheed Zia can never be erased from the mind of the people,” he said. 

Highlighting Ziaur Rahman's contribution to the country, Moyeen Khan said the prides of Bangladesh today include export-oriented industries, foreign employment, agricultural development and rural electrification. 

“If we feel proud of these, we must remember the initiator. It’s Ziaur Rahman who initiated all those activities to prepare the ground of the nation’s prosperity. 

Export of unconventional products, expansion of employment opportunities for women, freedom of press- all the achievements manifests Shaheed Zia's greatness and vision,” he said. 

Ziaur Rahman established new industries side by side taking measures for reopening the closed industries. During his rule, cottage industries were developed and production was increased. The unemployed population was transformed into active manpower. The garment industry was established in the country in the hands of Ziaur Rahman, he said. 

“Ziaur Rahman first initiated to export 8,500 manpower to the Middle Eastern countries which has now grown to nearly 1.25 crore. Today, the country is earning $18 billion in foreign exchange from the manpower sector and $40 billion through the garment industries. The garment industries have provided employment to 70 percent of the country's poor women,” he said. 

Moyeen Khan said Ziaur Rahman took the first initiative to reach electricity in remote villages to promote industries. 

Ziaur Rahman founded Bapex. He started exporting fisheries and took initiative to make the country self-reliant in food production. He first exported rice to Guinea and exported sugar abroad, Moyeen Khan noted. 

Ziaur Rahman only pursued the politics of production for the development of farmers and workers. He took steps for empowerment of youths and womenfolk. He established the Ministry of Youth, Women and Children Affairs,” he noted. 

The BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman was the first to start the politics of development and production as he formed BNP with this mantra. 

“Ziaur Rahman accepted everything that was in favor of production. He promoted irrigation, fertilizer and seed conservation and distribution, provided financial assistance to farmers. Above all, he visited door to door of farmers to encourage them to increase food production. He hugged with common people, merging his heart with them,” he said. 

Moyeen Khan said, during Ziaur Rahman's rule, Bangladesh's foreign policy moved away from the India and Soviet Union to America and China. 

“Bangladesh's relations with the Muslim world became closer. He added an article to the Bangladesh constitution to strengthen relations with Muslim countries on the basis of Islamic solidarity,” he said. 

Moyeen Khan said Zia played a leading role in the formation of the SAARC, an alliance of South Asian countries. In addition, during his rule Bangladesh was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, he said. 

“Forty four years have passed since Ziaur Rahman left us. The new generation does not know much about him. That is why the true philosophy of Ziaur Rahman must be presented before them,” he said. 

Moyeen Khan said, everyone in the country knows who was Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. I came to know him as the second generation. My father Abdul Momen Khan was my first generation to  have acquaintance with him as he was the Food Minister of Ziaur Rahman cabinet. But, Ziaur Rahman remains unknown to the third generation. 

Recalling his introduction with Ziaur Rahman, Moyeen Khan said at that time he was teaching in the Dhaka University. He invited a university team at Bangabhaban. 

In that meeting Ziaur Rahman told that he invited them to seek an advice. Even after being a powerful President he asked the teachers what should be the NRB policy of Bangladesh. 

Moyeen Kahn said at that time, the DU team gave Zia some suggestions regarding NRB, which he gladly accepted. This gesture reflects that Ziaur Rahman was a very simple statesman having no arrogance even sitting at the highest helm of power, Moyeen Khan observed.