BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has described martyred President Ziaur Rahman as the most honest, capable, and patriotic statesman in the Muslim world since Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Speaking at the biennial conference of the Laksam-Manoharganj Upazila and Laksam Municipality units of BNP, held at the Laksam Municipal Auditorium in Cumilla on Thursday afternoon, August 14, Bulu praised Ziaur Rahman’s integrity and devotion to the nation.
“If there has been any true statesman in the Muslim world after Hazrat Umar, someone honest, competent, and deeply patriotic, it is President Ziaur Rahman,” Bulu said, addressing party leaders and activists.
He recalled a personal detail about Zia, saying: “You will see that when he was running the affairs of the state, he wore a small silver chain around his neck. On it was not a superstitious amulet, but a piece of the Holy Quran—30 para of it. He governed the country with the Quran close to his heart.”
Bulu also stressed the importance of democratic governance, asserting that those who do not believe in Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty have no right to contest elections or seek public votes.
“The independence and sovereignty of this country cannot survive without an elected government,” he said. “Elections are the only way to restore stability and overcome crises, including the breakdown of law and order. Without an elected government, the nation loses its momentum.”
The event was attended by several senior BNP leaders, including Zakaria Taher Suman, Central Committee Secretary for Employment Affairs and Convener of Comilla South District BNP; Abul Kalam, Central Industrial Affairs Secretary and Laksam Upazila BNP Convener; Mostaq Mia, Central Comilla Divisional Co-Organising Secretary; Ashiqur Rahman Mahmud Wasim, District BNP Member Secretary; and other party officials from various levels.