The interim government has reinstated the posthumous Independence Award of former President Ziaur Rahman.
In a notification issued on Tuesday (March 11), the Cabinet Division announced that the 2016 decision to revoke Ziaur Rahman's award has been overturned. The statement clarified that the Supreme Court ruling, which served as the basis for the cancellation, did not explicitly mandate the withdrawal of his award. Considering his significant contributions to the Liberation War, the government decided to reinstate the honour.
Back in 2016, the Awami League-led government revoked Ziaur Rahman's Independence Award and removed the medal and certificate from the National Museum.
Additionally, the Cabinet Division's notification named seven distinguished individuals who will receive the 2025 Independence Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions at the national level.
2025 Independence Award Recipients:
- Science & Technology: Prof Jamal Nazrul Islam (Posthumous)
- Literature: Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (Posthumous)
- Culture: Novera Ahmed (Posthumous)
- Social Service: Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (Posthumous)
- Liberation War & Culture: Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Khan (Azam Khan) (Posthumous)
- Education & Research: Badruddin Mohammed Umar
- Protesting Youth: Abrar Fahad (Posthumous)
