Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Affairs, S M Ziauddin Hyder, addressed a discussion and doa mahfil today in Jhalakathi. Photo: BSS

JHALAKATHI, June 1, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs S M Ziauddin Hyder today said Shaheed Ziaur Rahman was the country’s first elected president who introduced multi-party democracy.

“Ziaur Rahman had struggled throughout his life to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty, and democracy,” he told a discussion and doa mahfil at Shilpakala Academy auditorium here.

Jhalakathi BNP and its affiliated organizations organized the discussion marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Hyder said as a courageous military officer, Ziaur Rahman fought bravely during the Liberation War and inspired the nation to join the struggle for independence by declaring the country’s independence.

Ziaur Rahman played a significant role in reforming the country’s political system, he said. By restoring multi-party democracy, Zia ensured the people’s right to express their opinions, he added. 

He placed the highest importance on public participation in national development and governance, said Hyder. 

The core principles of Ziaur Rahman’s political philosophy were nationalism, democracy, development, and self-reliance, he said.

The special assistant said within a short period in office, Ziaur Rahman took groundbreaking steps to improve the economy, agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. 

To make agriculture more productive, he launched canal excavation programs, which played an important role in increasing agricultural output, said Hyder. 

Ziaur Rahman encouraged rural people to cultivate their homesteads and unused land, he said, adding that Ziaur Rahman’s efforts led to increased food production and created new opportunities in agriculture.

He said Ziaur Rahman opened new avenues for economic progress by expanding the export sector, promoting the ready-made garment industry, and establishing Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
 
Zia envisioned a Bangladesh that would be self-reliant, production-oriented, and respected in the international community, he said.

He underscored the need for conducting more research on Ziaur Rahman’s life and works. 

He urged the youths to learn from his life, work, and vision for the state. 
His contributions to Bangladesh’s development, democracy, and national interests should be highlighted for future generations, Hyder said.

Haider said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, son of Shaheed Zia, does not believe in politics of revenge.

Instead of seeking retaliation for enforced disappearances and killings, he intends to respond through national development, said Hyder.
 
Tarique Rahman has repeatedly stated that his primary goals are economic development, job creation, improvements in education and healthcare, and raising people’s living standards, said the special assistant. 

He mentioned that upon returning to the country, Tarique Rahman said, “I have a plan, we have a plan.”

The main objective of this plan is to build a modern, developed, and prosperous Bangladesh, said Hyder.

He further noted that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s patriotism, sacrifice, and commitment to democracy are exemplary to the people of the country.
 
“BNP believes that making promises alone is not enough; fulfilling those promises is the true responsibility of a political party. Work has already begun to implement various commitments made to the public,” he said.

Hyder said the government plans to implement a massive tree plantation programme over the next five years. 

In addition, various initiatives will be undertaken to re-excavate canals and rivers, protect the environment, address the adverse impacts of climate change, and promote sustainable development, he said. 

These efforts will play an important role in protecting the environment and building a greener Bangladesh, he said.

He said Ziaur Rahman remains one of the foremost symbols of Bangladesh’s independence, democracy, and nationalism. 

During times of national crisis, he united the nation through courageous leadership, he said, adding Ziaur Rahman’s ideals, work, and vision of the state continue to inspire people today. 
His dream was to build a self-reliant, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh, and the BNP continues to work toward realizing that dream, he said.

Jhalakathi-1 MP Rafiqul Islam Jamal and Jhalakathi-2 MP Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto also spoke with former Jhalakathi District BNP President Mostafa Kamal Montu in the chair.

The event concluded with offering special prayers seeking eternal peace for the soul of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.