Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with 14 other prominent individuals, has been honored with the newly introduced ‘Aposhhin Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia Smriti Shornapadak 2026’.

According to a press release, the award was established by the New York-based Bangladesh Probashi Nagoric Committee, Inc. in memory of the former Prime Minister and former BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia.

The organization intends to present this award annually to illustrious persons who have made significant contributions to the nation.

The list of distinguished awardees includes Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Adviser Ismail Jabiullah and State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque.

Also honored were Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Kamal Uddin Shabuj, and Sanjida Islam Tuli, an organizer of Mayer Daak.

The 2026 recipients further include Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal, litterateur Dr. Mahbub Hasan, poet Abdul Hye Sikder, journalist Ashraf Kaiser, and industrialist Dr. Abul Kashem Haider.

Completing the list of honorees are businessman Abdul Haque and Fatema Begum, who served as the personal assistant to Begum Zia.

The press release noted that the award recognizes the sustained efforts and national impact of these individuals across various sectors, including politics, literature, journalism and industry.