Chattogram: It was around 11:30 pm on May 29, 1981, when President Ziaur Rahman called me into his room at the Chattogram Circuit House. This location would later be transformed into a museum bearing his name. The President, dressed in a white pajama and t-shirt, sat facing east while I faced west. He inquired about my well-being and that of my family.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, the founding general secretary of the BNP's Chattogram city unit, recounted his final interactions with Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. President Zia visited the port city on May 29, 1981, alongside cabinet members and top party leaders, including then-Secretary General Dr. B. Chowdhury. Jahangir Alam described the President's intent to use the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a protector of the country's independence and sovereignty rather than a means to gain power.
President Zia had previously summoned Jahangir and the Chattogram City unit President, M. Salimullah, to Dhaka to discuss the upcoming visit. They were instructed not to gather crowds at the Chattogram airport, as the President had already selected a small group to welcome him at the Circuit House. Zia's visit was not only a surprise due to its proximity to his earlier visit on May 10 but also due to its purpose of reinforcing discipline within the party.
During the visit, President Zia engaged in informal discussions with various local leaders, expressed his admiration for Chattogram, and shared his vision for a self-reliant economy. Jahangir Alam recalled Zia's emphasis on developing a competent workforce to protect the nation's sovereignty and independence, urging the establishment of training centers for this purpose.
Jahangir Alam highlighted the President's resolve, despite suggestions from the then DGFI Chief to avoid the visit. He dismissed speculation that the visit aimed to resolve organizational disputes, asserting instead that it was focused on party discipline and engaging influential figures with the philosophy of Bangladeshi Nationalism.
Jahangir Alam, now 77, also touched upon the events leading up to Zia's assassination, noting unusual phone activity that night. He called for a civil investigation into the murder, suggesting it was part of a broader conspiracy. Jahangir Alam's reflections emphasize Zia's dedication to democratic values, independence, and his lasting influence on Bangladesh's political landscape.