SANGSAD BHABAN, Mar 31 (V7N) — Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan announced in Parliament on Tuesday that the government is set to publish an authentic list of freedom fighters, systematically excluding those who obtained certificates through fraudulent means. Speaking during a Q&A session, the Minister further revealed that a separate list will be released identifying individuals who secured government jobs using fake freedom fighter quotas, along with their descendants.

The Minister's remarks addressed long-standing concerns regarding the integrity of the freedom fighter database. "We are working relentlessly to identify and correct the anomalies committed in the list of freedom fighters and their allowance disbursements during the previous regime," Khan stated, replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque.

Key Policy Updates:

  • Restoring Deprived Heroes: Minister Khan emphasized that genuine freedom fighters who were "deprived of their due respect and allowances for the last 17 years" will be restored to the official list.

  • Verification Process: Those whose allowances were previously stopped or whose names were excluded can apply for re-inclusion. Their status will be finalized following a rigorous verification and selection process.

  • Accountability for "Fake" Claimants: The Ministry is investigating numerous allegations of "fake" certificates being used to access illegal facilities. The upcoming publication aims to bring transparency to both the allowance payroll and the public service quota system.

The Minister also reiterated his broader goal of verifying the actual number of martyrs from 1971, questioning the historical accuracy of figures released immediately after the war without comprehensive data surveys.

The current 13th Parliament session, presided over by Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, has seen intense debate over constitutional reforms and the "July National Charter." The Liberation War Affairs Ministry’s initiative is seen as a key step in the Tarique Rahman administration's effort to reform state institutions and honor the authentic legacy of the nation's independence.

END/SMA/AJ