The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday announced an eight-day nationwide programme to mark the 45th death anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman, also a former president of Bangladesh.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting held at the party’s central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan.
The meeting was chaired by BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who later briefed reporters about the planned events on the occasion.
According to the party decision, various events would be held across the country from May 25 to June 1, 2026.
The events include the publication of posters and wearing of black badges marking the anniversary, special supplements in newspapers and online media, and discussions to be organised by the party and its associate bodies.
A central discussion event would be held on May 31 at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Dhaka.
On May 30, party flags would be kept at half-mast and black flags hoisted at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan from 6:00am.
Later at 11:00am, BNP leaders, led by prime minister Tarique Rahman, would place wreaths and offer prayers at the grave of Ziaur Rahman.
Similar programmes, including party and black flag hoisting, discussions, prayer sessions and the distribution of food among poor people, would be organised simultaneously in districts and metropolitan areas across the country.
Ziaur Rahman, the seventh president of Bangladesh, was assassinated by a group of army officers at the Chattogram circuit house on May 30, 1981.
Zia came to national prominence after declaring the country’s independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, in March 1971 at the beginning of the War of Independence.
A sector commander during the war, Zia led the Z Force and was awarded the gallantry title Bir Uttam for his distinguished role in the liberation war.
Following the political changeover on November 7, 1975, he emerged as the country’s leader and later assumed presidency in April 1977.
Born on January 19, 1936 in Bagbari village of Bogura, Zia founded the BNP in 1978.
