Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday announced a seven-day programme from May 25 to 1 June marking the 45th death anniversary of the party’s founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi unveiled the schedule at a press briefing on Monday following a joint meeting at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan.
He said the programmes are intended to observe the martyrdom anniversary of the party founder. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel was also present.
Rizvi added that various affiliated bodies and associate organisations of the party will hold discussion meetings and publish posters to mark the occasion. A central discussion meeting is scheduled for 31 May at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
As in previous years, party flags will be flown at half-mast and black flags hoisted at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan and across all party offices at 6am on 30 May. At 11am on the same day, BNP Secretary General and senior leaders, together with leaders of associate bodies, will lay wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave and offer prayers.
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the programme.
Under the observance, Dhaka North and South city units will distribute rice, clothes, and other essential items to the underprivileged at police stations. District and metropolitan units of BNP will also arrange discussion meetings, doa mahfils, and distribution of food and clothing to the poor nationwide.
Different associate and affiliated bodies of the party will conduct separate programmes. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will organise milad and doa sessions at educational institutions, while Krishak Dal, Ulama Dal, and other affiliates will host additional commemorative events.
Earlier, joint secretaries general, leaders of Dhaka North and South city units, and representatives of BNP’s associate and affiliated organisations attended the joint meeting to finalise the programme.
Ziaur Rahman, who founded the BNP in 1978, was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.
Also present were SM Jahangir of Metropolitan BNP, SM Jilani of Swechchasebak Dal, Nurul Islam Nayon of Juba Dal, Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat of Muktijoddha Dal, Nasir Uddin Nasir of Chatra Dal, Helal Khan and Zakir Hossain Rokon of JASAS, Abul Kalam Azad of Tanti Dal, Monjurul Islam Monju of Sramik Dal, Md Selim Reza and Kazi Mohammad Abul Hossain of Ulama Dal, Shahinur Nargis of Mohila Dal, and Rafiqul Islam of Krishak Dal, among others.
