The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate bodies are observing the 45th death anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman today (Saturday) with due solemnity.
To mark the occasion, the party has chalked out an eight-day nationwide programme from May 25 to June 1.
Ziaur Rahman, who founded the BNP in 1978 and introduced multi-party democracy to Bangladesh, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981. He is also credited as the visionary architect of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The day’s proceedings began at 6:00 am with the party flag lowered to half-mast and black flags hoisted at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan and other party offices nationwide. Party leaders, activists, and professional groups are wearing black badges, and special posters and newspaper supplements have been published across the country.
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will lead party leaders and activists in placing wreaths and offering prayers (Fateha) at Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Zia Udyan in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11:00 am.
Following the prayers, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a charity drive distributing clothes and food items to the destitute. BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan stated that the Prime Minister will launch the distribution at 11:30 am from the T&T playground on Manik Mia Avenue, sequentially visiting 16 locations across the capital throughout the day. This includes a major afternoon distribution event in front of the Nayapaltan central office organized by the party’s associate bodies.
Other senior leaders are also leading welfare initiatives in the capital. BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan will distribute relief items to the poor in front of the FDC in Karwan Bazar at 11:20 am. Concurrently, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, alongside leaders of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and the Association of Engineers, Bangladesh (AEB), will pay tribute at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, followed by a relief distribution drive near the High Court Mazar gate.
As part of the extended anniversary schedule, the BNP will host a central discussion meeting at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna tomorrow, May 31, at 2:00 pm.
Founded in 1978, the BNP has been entrusted with running the state five times, including the current term following its landslide victory in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election on February 12. Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, currently leads the government as Prime Minister.
