Dhaka: President of Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) Zillur Rahman on Tuesday defended his wife Fahmida Haq’s selection as Member of Parliament (reserved seats for women) from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stressing that in a democracy, members of the same family may pursue different public roles, but professional integrity must always remain independent.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Zillur emphasized that the principles guiding his work-intellectual independence, fairness, and a commitment to open debate-will continue to shape all his endeavors. He expressed his hopes for Fahmida to succeed in her new role with sincerity and dedication, while maintaining his own professional independence and commitment in journalism and policy discourse.
Zillur, a journalist, columnist, and talk show host, remarked that Fahmida’s engagement with public issues has been longstanding. He highlighted her involvement in writing, social initiatives, and policy discussions over the years. Fahmida has traveled extensively across Bangladesh and internationally, interacting with various communities and contributing to public conversations through her writings and civic engagement. Her gradual interest in politics, according to Zillur, is a natural progression of these experiences and her belief in the importance of public service.
He noted that Fahmida’s selection as a Member of Parliament reflects a continuation of her engagement in public issues. Zillur sincerely hoped that she would fulfill her responsibilities with integrity and contribute positively to parliamentary life and democratic discourse in Bangladesh.
Zillur made it clear that his professional life, which includes roles as a journalist, columnist, talk show host, and head of a policy think tank, has been built on decades of independent work in the media and policy sectors. He stressed that his professional responsibility remains unchanged despite his wife’s new political role.