An appeal
The Ministry of the War of Liberation Affairs, its State Minister Md Rezaul Karim, MP, and his team of officials have made all preparations for smooth repatriation of the remains of Bir Shrestha Ft. Lt. Shaheed Matiur Rahman. As I understand the officers of three armed forces, the Air Force in particular, have made elaborate arrangements for the reception of the remains and their eventual burial at the Muktijoddha graveyard at Mirpur.
A delegation of six members is already in Pakistan to bring back the remains. Let their mission be a success. The conclusion of the real burial of the Bir Shrestha Ft. Lt. Shaheed Matiur Rahman with proper religious rites in the soil of his own land will be a great achievement. I have been included as a member of the official delegation as a representative of the family.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Can this great occasion of home-coming of the mortal remains of Bir Shrestha Ft. Lt. Matiur Rahman not be a turning point for the nation at this critical juncture? It is hoped that the Honourable Prime Minister will personally receive the mortal remains at Zia International Airport. Many dignitaries will perhaps be invited to attend the reception ceremony. Cannot some top leader of the government ring up his counterpart of the opposition party to invite him and his party leader to attend all the ceremonies? That will be great and may lead to melting of the ice that currently divides the two major political parties.
I am suggesting this to bring the two main political parties closer which may bring national understanding. Let the leaders of the government rise up to the occasion without having any vanity, or a sense of defeatism at this moment. The nation is passing through a critical time, is on a precipice and a deepening crisis is looming large. The two major political parties then can sit for negotiations to resolve their differences and come to some sort of understanding in the greater interest of and for the sake of the nation. The two parties can always consult their respective allies in the course of the negotiations. Again for God's sake let not any sense of conceding inhibit this process. The soul of Bir Shrestha Ft. Lt. Shaheed Matiur Rahman will then have his eternal rest in greater peace.
The nation deserves masterly handling of the present critical situation in order to ensure smooth holding of the upcoming election with participation of all political parties for stability and national prosperity. I would consider it a great privilege if there is any service I can render at this ripe old age of 72.
May Allah bless us all and rest the soul of Bir Shrestha Ft. Lt. Shaheed Matiur Rahman in eternal peace.