29/05/2026
President Zia had only one suit to wear
Senior Photographer of the Press Information Department (PID), Amir Khasru was assigned to Take an official Photograph of President Ziaur Rahman when he took over after the resignation of President Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem on 21 April 1977.
As Ziaur Rahman came before his camera wearing the familiar dark suit with white stripes, Amir Khashru requested him to wear another suit to snap his portrait. President Zia replied, this is the only one suit I have dear. An ashamed Amir Khashru spared no more words and instead concentrated on how best the photograph could be in that very attire.
The official portrait was later distributed for use at government offices. The senior PID photographer at that time used to cover Bangabhaban, the office of the President. He narrated the story to some of us when we were together at one function.
Ziaur Rahman also used to wear safari suits. But those were not suitable for taking official photographs.
After Zia's party BNP won the February 27, 1991 Parliamentary elections, nearly ten years after his death, the leader of the Commonwealth Election Observer Group wanted to know who the Party's founder was. Interacting with reporters while sharing the preliminary report, the leader of the group remarked, from what we have learned, "He had all the flares of a hero."
Today we pray for Ziaur Rahman on the 45th anniversary of his martyrdom. He was an unparalleled leader in many respects. May Allah rest his soul in heavenly peace.
