The interim government has reinstated the posthumous Independence Award conferred upon the late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
The Cabinet Division made the announcement in a notification issued on Tuesday (11 March), revealing the recipients of this year’s Independence Award.
The statement noted that the award, originally bestowed upon Ziaur Rahman in recognition of his role in the Liberation War of 1971, was revoked following a Supreme Court ruling in 2016.
However, as the verdict did not explicitly mandate the cancellation of his Independence Award, the interim administration has now reversed the decision, citing Ziaur Rahman’s extraordinary contributions to the nation’s independence.
A cabinet committee on national awards withdrew the honour in 2016.
Ziaur Rahman, a sector commander in the Liberation War, had introduced the Swadhinata Padak—the country’s highest civilian award—during his tenure in 1977.
