Dhaka: Lawmakers have emphasized that the Zia family, which includes figures like former Shahid President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is intricately connected to the history of Bangladesh since its independence. They stated that the family's contributions cannot be disentangled from the nation's historical narrative.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this sentiment was expressed during a discussion on the Thanks Giving Motion on the President's Speech in the Jatiya Sangsad. The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, saw ruling party lawmaker AKM Fazlul Huq Milon assert the family's involvement in significant political milestones in 1971, 1975, 1990, and 2024. Milon remarked that excluding the Zia family's contributions would render Bangladesh's history incomplete and misleading.
Addressing the implementation of the July Charter, Milon stressed that it reflects the people's aspirations and should be executed methodically, as promised by the government. He urged opposition parties in the parliament to voice their concerns within the democratic framework rather than resorting to undemocratic actions, emphasizing that the July movement was a collective effort of the masses and political entities.
The first session of the 13th parliament commenced on March 12, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin's address. The Business Advisory Committee allocated 50 hours for discussion on the speech. Chief Whip Nurul Islam introduced the Motion of Thanks, seconded by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.
During the discussion, 18 lawmakers addressed various topics, including infrastructural needs and the execution of the government's electoral promises. Opposition lawmaker M Kamal Hossain of Dhaka-5 highlighted that while former President Ziaur Rahman initiated a referendum in 1977, the ruling BNP now overlooks the people's mandate expressed through it. He advocated for constitutional reforms to align with the public's desires.
Ruling party lawmaker Abdus Salam Azad of Munshiganj-2 called for enhanced cooperation between ruling and opposition lawmakers to foster national prosperity under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership. BNP lawmaker Fakruddin Ahmed described the President's 16-page speech as timely, acknowledging the government's development initiatives and addressing past issues of killings and forced disappearances.
The discussion saw participation from BNP lawmakers like Faridul Kabir Talukder, M Abu Sufian, Mohammad Lutfar Rahman, alongside opposition Jamaat Islami lawmakers and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish's Said Uddin Ahmed Hanzala, who contributed their perspectives on the President's address.