Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman was the first to establish multiparty democracy in Bangladesh, while also ensuring the independence of the judiciary and the media.He made the remarks at a discussion organised by the Sylhet district BNP at the Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Tuesday, marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary.Salahuddin said Ziaur Rahman’s political and historic role began during the Liberation War in 1971. He said Ziaur Rahman declared the country’s independence and inspired people to join the war.The minister also credited Ziaur Rahman with protecting the country from a political crisis through the November 7, 1975 Sepoy-People’s Revolution and later initiating what he described as the politics of development.BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said Ziaur Rahman had taken initiatives to rebuild Bangladesh after assuming responsibility at a critical time.He said Ziaur Rahman’s development initiatives covered agriculture, industry and other sectors, while his foreign policy helped strengthen Bangladesh’s position internationally.Sylhet district BNP President and Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayum Chowdhury said the party had received a strong public mandate through a democratic election after years of political struggle.He pledged to work for further development of Sylhet, including the Sylhet City Corporation area. Several BNP leaders, lawmakers and representatives of affiliated organisations attended the programme, which began with Quran recitation and later included a cake-cutting ceremony marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary.