On the 45th death anniversary of former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute at his grave at Zia Udyan in the capital.
Tarique led central leaders and activists of the party in offering wreaths and prayers at the mausoleum around 11am on Saturday.
They recited Fateha and joined a special munajat seeking forgiveness for the late president’s soul.
BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, AZM Zahid Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, State Minister for Sports Amilun Haque, and other leaders from different levels of the party and government were present.
From early morning, large numbers of BNP leaders and activists gathered at Zia Udyan and surrounding areas ahead of the prime minister’s arrival.
Thousands lined both sides of the road from Bijoy Sarani to Zia Udyan, carrying party flags, banners, and festoons, chanting slogans that filled the area.
Dhaka North and South BNP units, along with Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, and Sramik Dal, joined the programme with designated banners.
The atmosphere around the area was festive, accompanied by tight security.
After paying tribute, the premier was scheduled to distribute food and clothing among the poor near the T&T playground adjacent to Manik Mia Avenue.
He is also expected to attend similar programmes at several other locations in Dhaka throughout the day.
