Md. Abdul Qaiyum, Moulvibazar 

Parliament Whip Alhaj G K Gaus, MP, has paid rich tributes to former Finance and Planning Minister M. Saifur Rahman on his 17th death anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader whose structural economic reforms transformed the nation.

Speaking to journalists during a Doa and Milad Mahfil organized by the M. Saifur Rahman Smriti Parishad at the late leader's ancestral home in Baharmardan under Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on Saturday.

 Gaus highlighted Saifur Rahman's legacy as a veteran economist and language movement veteran. He noted that the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia—despite initial opposition—laid a solid foundation for Bangladesh's economy, earning recognition nationally and internationally.

Gaus emphasized that Saifur Rahman held the rare distinction of presenting 12 national budgets in Parliament. He added that while many have held parliamentary and ministerial roles from the Sylhet region, Saifur Rahman's contributions remain incomparable, leaving the local population forever indebted to his development work.

The late leader's eldest son, M. Naser Rahman, MP for Moulvibazar-3 and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land, was present alongside Mijanur Rahman, former General Secretary of District BNP and Administrator of Moulvibazar Zila Parishad.

A wide range of BNP leaders attended the event, including Convenor Fayzul Karim Mayun, Member Secretary Abdul Rahim Ripon, M. A. Mukit, Fakhrul Islam, Bakhshi Mishbah ur Rahman, Helu Miah, Muhitur Rahman Helal, Swagatam Kishore Das Chowdhury, Sadar Upazila BNP President Mujibur Rahman Majnu, General Secretary Maruf Ahmed, Pourashava BNP President Aliur Rahman, General Secretary Monowar Ahmed Rahman, District Yuba Dal President Jakir Hossain Ujjwal, and General Secretary M. A. Muhit.

Unlike previous years, the anniversary programs commenced a day earlier on Friday with a day-long free eye camp at Baharmardan and a Doa Mahfil after Jummah prayers at the Paschimbazar Jame Mosque in Moulvibazar town. On Saturday morning, leaders and activists from the district BNP, Saifur Rahman Smriti Parishad, upazila and municipal units, Yuba Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sramik Dal, and Krishak Dal placed floral wreaths at his grave and joined the prayers alongside thousands of people from all walks of life.

Born on October 6, 1932, in Baharmardan village, Saifur Rahman actively participated in the 1952 Language Movement, for which he was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2005. He tragically passed away in a road accident in Brahmanbaria on September 5, 2009, while traveling from Moulvibazar to Dhaka.