Staff Correspondent

Party chief Rashed Khan Menon handed the Swadhinata Bir Award to Rehman Sobhan at the ceremony in the party office on Topkhana Road.

Abul Bashar received his award from Haider Akbar Khan Rano, member of the WP politbureau, and Nasiruddin Yusuf from acting general secretary Nurul Hasan.

Oli Ahad could not attend the award ceremony due to illness; his daughter barrister Romin Farhana received the prize on his behalf.

Rashed Khan Menon said at the ceremony: "We wished to show our gratitude by honouring those who contributed to the freedom of this country."

"It's not recognition. It is mere thankfulness," he said.