Tribute paid to Malek Ukil

The 23rd death anniversary of Abdul Malek Ukil, a former president of Awami League, organiser of the War of Liberation and renowned politician, was observed yesterday.
He was a close aide of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.
In a statement, President Zillur Rahman paid rich tributes to the memory of Abdul Malek Ukil.
"As a committed leader of the Awami League, he dedicated his life to build the nation. The nation remembers him for his outstanding contribution as the Leader of the Opposition in the East Pakistan provincial assembly and later a Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and a former minister," said the president in a press release.
"He played an important role in mobilising world opinion in favour of the War of Liberation, formulating the country's constitution and keeping the party organised after the killing of Bangabandu in 1975," the president said.
On the occasion, a milad mahfil was held at his village home in Noakhali.