Reacting to a video shared on the Facebook page of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka claiming former President Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh independence, Commerce MinisterTofail Ahmed yesterday said only the traitors can make such a claim, reports UNB.

"There's no doubt that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence in 1971. Zia was not even a freedom fighter, let alone being the proclaimer of independence," he told reporters at his office.

Tofail said when they had been in an anti-Pakistan movement in 1969, no one knew a person named Ziaur Rahaman. "He would have declared the name of Pakistan had he been in Dhaka or Pakistan instead of Chittagong during that time. Only those ignorant of history and traitors can consider Zia as the proclaimer of the independence," he added.

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka recently shared a video in its Facebook page claiming Zia as the proclaimer of independence instead of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Asked what measures will be taken against Pakistan over the video, the commerce minister did not give any direct reply to it, saying, "Pakistan is an enemy state. There's no surprise that they'll say this."

About Unesco's recognition of the history 7th March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Tofail said it is a great achievement for the country.