`Revoking Zia`s Swadhinata Padak will be suicidal`

Staff Correspondent: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed deep disappointment at the government’s alleged move to revoke the Swadhinata Padak of his party’s founder Ziaur Rahman.

 

He said, “We are anxious and frustrated over the move. It will be suicidal for the Awami League if the award is revoked."

 

Mirza Fakhrul said this while addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Friday afternoon.

 

There will be no time to rectify when Awami League will understand its mistake, Fakhrul said.

 

In 2003 when BNP-Jamaat alliance was in power, a cabinet committee gave Swadhinata Padak (independence award) to Ziaur Rahman for his contribution during the Liberation War in 1971.

 

The Padak is being kept at the National Museum.

 

Two Bangla dailies-- Jugantor and Ittefa—on Thursday published reports that the government is mulling to withdraw the Swadhainata Padak that has been given to Ziaur Rahman.

 

Referring to the reports, Fakhrul said, “We are sure of the government’s plans.”

 

Responding to a query about prime minister’s press conference on Rampal on Saturday, Fakhrul expressed hope that the prime minister would cancel the project near the world’s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans.

 

risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 26, 2016/Reza/A K Azad