The posthumous Independence Award given to late President Ziaur Rahman in 2003 will remain valid, the Cabinet Division announced in a press release on Tuesday (March 11).

The Awami League-led government had canceled the award in 2016, citing a Supreme Court verdict. 

However, the press release stated that the ruling did not include any directive to revoke the award. Considering Ziaur Rahman’s outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, the government has now withdrawn its decision to cancel the award.

Ziaur Rahman, commander of the Z-Force during the 1971 Liberation War and founder of the BNP, is known for his role in declaring independence when Pakistani forces launched a brutal crackdown on March 25, 1971. His announcement inspired the nation to join the war.

BDST: 1934 HRS, March 11, 2025
MSK