BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed the party’s vision of building Bangladesh into a truly democratic, modern, and non-discriminatory state, seizing what he described as new opportunities created by overcoming fascist forces. 

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists after paying homage to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyr Intellectuals Cemetery in Mirpur.

“Today is Martyred Intellectuals Day. On this day in 1971, on the eve of victory, the Pakistani occupation forces targeted and killed Bangladesh’s brightest minds, including journalists, intellectuals, professors, scientists, and members of civil society. That was one of the gravest losses in our nation's history," Mirza Fakhrul said.

Reflecting on the sacrifices made during the Liberation War, Fakhrul said: “The people of Bangladesh fought in 1971 with the aim of establishing an independent, democratic, and prosperous country. This historic mission was championed under the declaration of the Liberation War by our martyred leader, President Ziaur Rahman.”

The BNP secretary general further said: "On behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, on behalf of our party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, and our acting chairman Tarique Rahman, we pay tribute to the martyred intellectuals and pray for their eternal peace."

Speaking on the nation’s future, Fakhrul emphasized the importance of free elections. “We are hopeful that a free, fair, and impartial election will be held soon, allowing the people to choose their representatives. An interim government has been established, and we remain committed to cooperating to ensure the people’s voices are heard through a credible democratic process.”

At that time,, Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr. Moin Khan, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Dhaka Metropolitan North convener Aminul Islam, Dhaka Metropolitan South convener Abdus Salam and other leaders and activists of various levels of the party were present.