Dhaka: The 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, proclaimer of the great independence, one of the sector commanders of the War of Liberation, BNP founder and advocate of multi-party democracy, was observed today across the country with due respect and solemnity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, on May 30, 1981, Ziaur Rahman was killed at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of disgruntled army officers as part of a domestic and foreign conspiracy. To mark this anniversary, BNP convened an eight-day special programme from May 25 to June 1. Party flags were hoisted at half-mast and black flags were displayed at the party’s Nayapaltan central office and other party offices nationwide. BNP leaders and activists wore black badges to honor the occasion.
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tributes to Ziaur Rahman by placing a floral wreath on his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Key figures such as BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several ministers and party leaders were present. Tarique Rahman, along with party leaders, observed a moment of silence in respect and participated in a doa mahfil at the graveyard.
Various wings of BNP, including Dhaka North and South city units, and other social and cultural organizations, also placed wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave. The Prime Minister proceeded to distribute clothes and food items to the poor at Rajdhani High School on Manik Mia Avenue as part of the daylong programme that included distribution of daily essentials and free medical services.
The Prime Minister and other party members participated in similar charitable events at various locations, including in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office. A clothes distribution ceremony organized by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad took place at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), with BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan as the chief guest. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended a food distribution programme in front of the High Court.
Across the country, BNP’s units and associated organizations organized discussions, milad and doa mahfils, photo exhibitions, and other events highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s life and works. Special supplements were published in national newspapers to mark the occasion. On May 31, BNP will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka.
Ziaur Rahman, a sector commander of the Liberation War and commander of Z Force, founded BNP in 1978 and introduced multi-party democracy in Bangladesh. He is recognized as the visionary architect and founder of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and established a political philosophy based on Bangladeshi nationalism. The BNP founded by him secured an overwhelming majority in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election held on February 12, 2026, and has been entrusted with running the state five times, including the current term.