Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. File Photo

DHAKA, May 8, 2026 (BSS) - Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 14 others have been awarded with newly introduced ‘Aposhhin Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia Smriti Shornapadak 2026’.

The other awardees are: Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Adviser Ismail Jabiullah, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Kamal Uddin Shabuj,  organiser of Mayer Daak Sanjida Islam Tuli, president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Tamim Iqbal, litterateur Dr Mahbub Hasan, poet Abdul Hye Sikder, journalist Ashraf Kaiser, industrialist Dr Abul Kashem Haider, businessman Abdul Haque and Fatema Begum (personal assistant to Begum Zia), a press release said.

New York-based Bangladesh Probashi Nagoric Committee, Inc introduced the award in memory of former Prime Minister and former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Every year, the illustrious persons, who have been contributing to the nation, will be honoured with the award, the press release said.