Film industry’s highest dev came under BNP govts; Zia’s vision must continue: Moyeen Khan

BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan today said the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman must be implemented in Bangladesh’s film industry, claiming that the sector witnessed its greatest development under BNP governments.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad at the gate of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, Moyeen said BNP would continue efforts to advance the country’s film sector.

“Whenever BNP was in power, the film industry experienced the highest level of development. Based on past experience, the current BNP government will again work for the advancement of the film industry,” he said.

Moyeen said Ziaur Rahman introduced the National Film Awards and film grants, established the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute and the Bangladesh Film Archive, transformed Bangladesh Television (BTV) from black-and-white to colour broadcasting, and modernised the BFDC.

As part of the programme, sarees and lungis were distributed among more than 500 people.

BNP Cultural Affairs Secretary and Chief Adviser to the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad, actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal, attended the event as a special guest.

Addressing the gathering, Uzzal alleged that the country’s film industry and the BFDC had been undermined over the past 17 years and said BNP would work to revive the sector under the leadership of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

The event was chaired by film director and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad President Badiul Alam Khokon. The organisation’s Secretary General, actor ABM Sohel Rashid, delivered the welcome address, while Organising Secretary and film producer-director Manjurul Islam Megh moderated the programme.

Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the souls of former president Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and their late son Arafat Rahman Koko. Earlier in the day, a Quran recitation programme was held.