Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged the democratic forces to be more sincere in building a livable Bangladesh for the future generation.

“A ray of hope has emerged among us. We must all be more sincere to rebuild Bangladesh. We need to work together to create a sustainable and livable Bangladesh for the generations to come,” he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club, held to mark the posthumous Ekushey Padak award given to renowned journalist late Mahfuz Ullah.

Fakhrul said political parties had struggled against fascism and endured repression and suppression for a long time. “Fascism has been defeated and driven out through that movement. Today, we are all filled with hope for the country,” he said.

Fakhrul expressed his satisfaction that a virtuous and talented journalist like Mahfuz Ullah has been honoured by the state with the Ekushey Padak after his passing.

He said Mahfuz Ullah had always worked towards bringing about social change, establishing the rights of the people and ensuring their entitlements.

The BNP leader reminisced that Mahfuz Ullah had played a significant role in uniting political parties, both left-wing and right-wing, to intensify the movement against the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina.

The interim government has awarded the 2025 Ekushey Padak to 17 prominent people, including journalist Mahfuz Ullah, and the Bangladesh women's football team, in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus attended the ceremony as the chief guest at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday and presented the medals.

Paying tribute to Mahfuz Ullah, Fakhrul said the nation would best show its respect for him by transforming Bangladesh into a democratic and humane country.

"We have come a long way, and now there are many young people who are rethinking the future of the country. But, in that reflection, we must remember one thing: we should never forget Mahfuz Ullah and those who contributed to this nation.”

Describing the late Mahfuz Ullah as a ‘progressive’, ‘patriotic’, and ‘brilliant’ journalist, Fakhrul said he never hesitated to call a spade a spade.

"I miss Mahfuz Ullah. I truly miss him. Losing him has left a huge void for us. I am pleased that he has received such posthumous recognition, and I thank the interim government for this," he said.

The BNP leader also prayed for the salvation of Mahfuz Ullah's departed soul.

BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Chairperson's Advisory Council members Ismail Zabihullah, Nazmul Haque Nannu, political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury, Dhaka University Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, BSS Managing Director Mahbub Morshed, senior journalist Amirul Islam Kagoji, and Mahfuz Ullah's son Mostafa Habib were among those who addressed the programme, with Professor Mahbub Ullah in the chair.