TDS Desk:

The real reason behind the death of Arafat Rahman Koko, the youngest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, will be unearthed, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a prayer session organized by the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust in a restaurant in East London, UK, on Sunday evening (local time).

Arafat Rahman was physically and mentally tortured, Zahid, who is also Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, said.

He said: “Koko’s death cannot be attributed to natural causes. We are trying to uncover the mystery behind it. We will always strive on behalf of BNP to bring those involved in Koko’s death to trial if their involvement is proven.”

Mentioning that Arafat Rahman was not a political figure, the BNP leader said he was a talented person in the field of sports.

Due to his organizational skills, Bangladesh cricket reached a dignified level worldwide, he said, adding that if the credit for the flourishing of cricket is given to anyone other than him, it will be a distortion of history.

He also expressed his gratitude to the common people of the UK, who have shown sincerity towards the Zia family for the past 15 and a half years.

Dr Zahid further said that many people are present who have heard with their own ears: “I am Major Zia speaking.”

He said: “Many of us heard it on March 26 and 27 in 1971. So those of us who heard it knew that those who fled were supposed to declare the country’s independence, but they didn’t do it. Rather, they fled, and some others surrendered.”

He added that Ziaur Rahman was a man who did not think about the future of his two minor children but showed his endless love for the motherland by participating in the battle with arms.

He said: “An announcement was made in Chittagong, and the first sector commanders’ meeting was held in Sylhet under the leadership of General MAG Osmani, as Ziaur Rahman became the first sector commander.”

“Again, Z Force was formed there, and Ziaur Rahman was also its commander,” he said, adding that BNP feels proud of its founder.

Dr Zahid emphasized that Ziaur Rahman is the man who freed the people of this country from uncertainty on November 7.

He said: “There was no BNP then, there was no affiliated organization. But people had faith in him that he could be given responsibility, and the country’s independence and sovereignty would remain intact under him.”

He also said that Ziaur Rahman did not come to power himself; rather, the people and sepoys placed him in power.

He said: “Even after that, he held a referendum. He was in power then with the mandate of the people. In just four and a half years of tenure, he brought the country to a dignified position. So, those who talk about Ziaur Rahman should first look at their own faces in the mirror.”

Zahid said if the proclamation of independence had not been declared and if the Liberation War had not taken place, then neither the people would have seen the 1990 movement nor the 2024 July uprising.

He added: on Monday Bangladesh is built on the sacrifices of many people. Just as we will not forget Abu Sayeed, we will not forget Mugdho. In the same way, we will not forget Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam. They have fought for the restoration of democracy for the last 15 years; they must be given their due respect. So do not try to create division.”

UK BNP President and Chairperson’s Adviser MA Malek, UK BNP General Secretary Koysor M Ahmed, Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust Coordinator Abu Naser Sheikh, and UK BNP leader Shafraz Sharfur also spoke.