Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday asserted that former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman brought about an unprecedented, sweeping transformation to Bangladesh within just three and a half years of his governance.

Fakhrul made these remarks after paying rich tributes to the late leader at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary.

Highlighting the foundational political and economic shifts of that era, the senior minister noted: “On one hand, he reintroduced multiparty democracy and brought the country back from one-party rule and BAKSAL. On the other hand, he introduced a free-market economy. I believe this was the first phase of Bangladesh’s transformation.”

He expanded on the rapid pace of development under Zia’s leadership, stating, “In just three and a half years, he brought such an extraordinary change that Bangladesh, once labelled a ‘bottomless basket’, turned into a country moving towards prosperity.”

Describing Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, a pioneer and reintroducer of multiparty democracy, and the primary architect of modern Bangladesh, Fakhrul lamented that the party could not properly observe this solemn day for nearly 17 years due to what he termed widespread fascist repression.

Reflecting on past struggles, the BNP leader said, “I still remember that when we came here once, many of our leaders were injured in police firing. Today, we are observing the day in a free environment.”

He further elaborated that Ziaur Rahman actively worked to dismantle the country’s old and decaying administrative and social systems after being elected to state leadership through a legitimate democratic process.

Fakhrul credited Ziaur Rahman with rescuing the nation from the catastrophic aftermath of the 1974 famine and rampant economic mismanagement, successfully steering Bangladesh towards achieving a food surplus and vastly increased agricultural production.

He added that the period was a pivotal time of transformation for the society and country, emphasizing that Ziaur Rahman provided the crucial leadership for that change by thoroughly uniting the people.

Turning his focus to the present political landscape, the BNP secretary general referred to current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as Zia’s worthy successor, stating that the newly formed government has already launched aggressive programmes aimed at comprehensive institutional reforms and production growth.

Detailing these recent governance breakthroughs, Fakhrul concluded, “We have started reform initiatives and production-oriented programmes. Family Card, Farmers’ Card and other initiatives have already created a new momentum in Bangladesh.”