The interim government has reinstated the Independence Award of former president Ziaur Rahman (posthumous) declared in 2003 and picked individuals for this year鈥檚 Independence Award, the highest civilian award, for their outstanding contributions to the country, reported United News of Bangladesh.
The cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. The then government had revoked the Independence Award of Ziaur Rahman following a Supreme Court order in 2016.
As there is no directive on the cancellation of the Independence Award given to Ziaur Rahman, the interim government revoked the decision of the previous government considering his outstanding contributions to the Liberation War.
Independence Award-2025 recipients are Professor Jamal Nazrul Islam (posthumous), Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (posthumous), Sculptor Novera Ahmed (posthumous), Abrar Fahad (posthumous), Badruddin Mohammad Umar, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (posthumous) and Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Khan alias Azam Khan (posthumous), according to the UNB report.
Bangladesh has been honouring individuals and institutions with the award every year ahead of Independence Day since 1977.
Last year, 10 individuals received the award.
Meanwhile, the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing stated that General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini, was honoured with the Independence Award in 1985.
鈥楾he government initially considered posthumously awarding him the Independence Award-2025. However, since no Bangladeshi has ever received the country鈥檚 highest honour more than once, the idea was dropped,鈥� the statement added.
On Thursday, writer and president of the Jatiya Mukti Council Badruddin Umar in a statement announced that he would not accept Independence Day award before publishing government鈥檚 gazette.
