Tributes paid to Zia

Speakers at a discussion here yesterday paid tributes to the late president Ziaur Rahman for his contribution to the Liberation War and what they termed to "safeguarding the independence and sovereignty of the country".

They also recalled his contribution, what they described, to "economic progress and prosperity".

The discussion titled "Shaheed Zia and contemporary politics" was organised by "Nationalist Professional Parishad" (NPP) in connection with the 64th birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman in CIRDAP auditorium here. Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Imazuddin Ahmed was the main speaker.

Chaired by the convenor of NPP central committee Abul Kashem Haider, the discussion was also addressed by parliament member and BNP central committee member Dr Moin Khan, Major General (retd) Syed M Ibrahim, Chairman of Dhaka University Botany Department Dr Z N Tahmina Begum, journalist Al Mujahidi, joint convenor of NPP Prof Mahfujur Rahman, convenor of Dhaka city NPP ABM Shahidul Islam and NPP central leader Dr Jahangir Hasan Sarder.

The speakers termed Ziaur Rahman a "heroic freedom fighter" and said he was a "successful soldier and president".

Prof. Imazuddin said late Zia respected his political opponents and never used filthy words in politics.

He said Ziaur Rahman used to believe that the aim of politics should be to develop the socio-economic condition of the poor by involving them in the development process. With this end in view he created "Gram Sarker" (people's government) in every village.

Dr Moin Khan said Zia was ahead of his time both in thought and action and added new dimensions to both national and regional politics.

He said Democracy in Bangladesh was killed in 1975 by a political party and alleged that coming to power after 21 years the party again was leading the country towards that direction.

Al Mujahidi paid tributes to Zia for his role in the War of Liberation.

Listing the development programmes and nation-building activities of Ziaur Rahman, Prof Tahmina said he made marks in every sphere of national life.

Major General (retd) Syed M Ibrahim said honesty and hard work had helped Ziaur Rahman to overcome problems in running the state affairs.