BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Friday 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 in the post-independence period and a visionary of a self-reliant modern country,” Moyeen told BSS in an interview on the eve of Ziaur Rahman’s 44th martyrdom anniversary.
Moyeen added: “Ziaur Rahman was a frontline fighter of the great Liberation War and created history by taking responsibility for the country during critical junctures.”
The BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman possessed the courage, determination, and wisdom necessary to make the right decisions quickly during extremely difficult times.
He succeeded despite facing many problems and conspiracies in implementing 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 about their welfare. They wholeheartedly accepted his directives, requests, and advice, and benefited from them,” he added.
The BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman did nothing for himself or his family.
Moyeen said Ziaur Rahman was a patriotic freedom fighter who established peace in his motherland, created a platform for long-term prosperity, and re-established multi-party democracy.
He was a reliable and hopeful beacon for the people in building a livable and dignified nation, he added.
Recalling his memories with Ziaur Rahman, he said: “We lost Ziaur Rahman at a time when people hoped to develop the country under his leadership, and Bangladesh had started to achieve dignity in the global community.”
Under the cover of a deep conspiracy at home and abroad, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, halting Bangladesh’s steady progress, he said.
“Only the future can tell whether anyone else will be fortunate enough to surpass the respect he earned, which was reflected by the presence of millions of tearful people at his funeral,” he said.
The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh, following the devastation and brutal massacre by the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, were excited and courageous when they first heard “I am Major Zia speaking” on March 27.
Similarly, on November 7, 1975, during another crisis, he inspired the people once again.
“Since everyone knows these truths, the memory of shaheed Zia can never be erased from the minds of the people,” he said.
Highlighting Ziaur Rahman's contributions to the country, Moyeen 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 their initiator. It was Ziaur Rahman who started all these activities to lay the foundation for the nation’s prosperity.
Export of unconventional products, expansion of employment opportunities for women, and freedom of the press—all these achievements reflect shaheed Zia's greatness and vision,” he said.
Ziaur Rahman established new industries while also taking measures to reopen closed ones.
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 under Ziaur Rahman's leadership, he said.
“Ziaur Rahman first initiated the export of 8,500 workers to Middle Eastern countries, a number that 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 industry. The garment industry has provided employment to 70% of the country's underprivileged women,” he said.
Moyeen said Ziaur Rahman took the first initiative to bring electricity to remote villages to promote industries.
Ziaur Rahman founded Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex).
He began exporting fish and took initiatives to make the country self-reliant in food production.
He was the first to export rice to Guinea and also exported sugar abroad, Moyeen noted.
Ziaur Rahman pursued only the politics of production for the development of farmers and workers.
He took steps to empower youths and women. 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, forming the BNP with this vision.
“Ziaur Rahman supported everything that promoted production. He promoted irrigation, fertilizer, and seed conservation and distribution, and provided financial assistance to farmers. Above all, he visited farmers door to door to encourage increased food production. He embraced the common people, merging his heart with theirs,” he said.
Moyeen said that during Ziaur Rahman's rule, Bangladesh's foreign policy shifted from India and the Soviet Union to the United States and China.
“Bangladesh's relations with the Muslim world also became closer. He added an article to the Bangladesh Constitution to strengthen ties with Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity,” he said.
Moyeen said Ziaur Rahman played a leading role in the formation of 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 to them,” he said.
Moyeen said everyone in the country knows who shaheed president Ziaur Rahman was. “I came to know him as the second generation. My father, Abdul Momen Khan, belonged to the first generation to be acquainted with him as he was the food minister in Ziaur Rahman’s cabinet. But Ziaur Rahman remains largely unknown to the third generation.”
Recalling his first introduction to Ziaur Rahman, Moyeen said that at the time, he was teaching at Dhaka University (DU).
He was invited, along with a university team, to Bangabhaban.
In that meeting, Ziaur Rahman told them that he had invited them to seek advice. Even as a powerful president, he asked the teachers what should be the NRB policy of Bangladesh.
Moyeen said that at that time, the DU team gave Ziaur Rahman some suggestions regarding NRB, which he gladly accepted.
This gesture reflected that Ziaur Rahman was a very humble statesman, showing no arrogance even while sitting at the highest helm of power, the BNP leader said.
