Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government has started compiling a comprehensive list of martyrs of the Liberation War in line with its election pledge, aiming to ensure due recognition and dignity for those who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence.

Replying to a question from Ruhul Amin Dulal MP during the Prime Minister's Question Hour in the parliament this afternoon, Tarique said, "Countless people became victims of genocide during the great Liberation War. But sadly, even after so many years of independence, it has not been possible to compile an accurate and complete list of them. People who ought to have done this work engaged in politics over the matter," he said.

"It is because of their sacrifice that we have achieved our desired independence. Realising the importance of the matter, the current government has pledged in its election manifesto to make a complete list of martyrs of the Liberation War based on intensive research," the prime minister added.

He said the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has already undertaken various initiatives to implement the commitment. These include holding expert meetings with Liberation War researchers, formulating a detailed and realistic action plan through continuous consultations with various stakeholders, and taking necessary steps based on that plan.

"By implementing such initiatives, it will be possible to compile an accurate and acceptable list of genocide victims and all martyrs, and to provide due recognition and dignity to their sacrifice," he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Anwarul Islam on whether the government would remove the names of fraudulent claimants from the official list of freedom fighters, Tarique said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party was founded by freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman, who declared the country's war of independence.

“Naturally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party firmly believes that fulfilling its responsibilities toward the freedom fighters and upholding the spirit of the Liberation War are sacred duties,” he said.

"I mentioned earlier that those who had the responsibility of preparing a proper, impartial list after independence engaged in politics instead. They did so with regard to the freedom fighters. Later, at different times, various problems arose in the process of preparing this list. At present, the government is trying, with the involvement of different experts, to create a complete and accurate list of freedom fighters of the Liberation War," the prime minister said.