DHAKA, Sept 1, 2026 (BSS) - The 48th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founded by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was celebrated today across the country through colourful programmes, social activities and political events.

The party began its journey on September 1, 1978. Ziaur Rahman, the party's founding chairman, was at the forefront of organising the party and led it until he was assassinated by a group of disgruntled military personnel in 1981.

To mark the anniversary, BNP is observing a five-day programme from today.

As part of the programme, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tributes to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in the capital's Zia Udyan this morning.

Members of the party's Standing Committee and other senior leaders were present. 

They also offered Fateha and joined a special munajat seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Selima Rahman, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and other senior BNP leaders were present.

After paying tribute, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by party leaders, planted saplings on the Ziaur Rahman mausoleum premises and released fish fry into the adjacent lake. 
 
Following the Prime Minister’s departure and the lifting of the security cordon, a massive crowd of hundreds of leaders, activists, and supporters thronged the mazar (shrine) of the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia to pay their respects. 

From morning onwards, leaders and activists arrived from various wards of the capital in small processions.

They chanted slogans such as “Shubho Shubho Shubho Din, BNP'r Jonmodin” and “Ek Zia Lokantore, Lokkho Zia Ghore Ghore” and filled the air from Bijoy  Sarani to Zia Udyan with their voices.

 Activists carried colourful banners, and their heads were adorned with ribbons bearing the BNP flag.

District and metropolitan units celebrated the anniversary across the country amid various programmes, including discussions.

BNP observed the anniversary at a significant time, as the party has returned to state power after two decades, with Tarique Rahman serving as Prime Minister for the first time.

After paying tribute BNP Acting Secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, "BNP is moving forward holding high the flag of the ideals and philosophy with which Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman founded the party."

The BNP Acting Secretary General said democracy has been repeatedly disrupted in the country. The brutal face of fascism has been witnessed, he added.
 
Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP on September 1, 1978, and served as its chairman.

After Ziaur Rahman's assassination, his wife Begum Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of the party and served as its chairperson until her death.

However, after her imprisonment in false cases in 2018, her son Tarique Rahman served as the party's acting chairman.

After the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia last year, Tarique Rahman took charge as the party chief.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won the nine-year-long struggle against dictator Ershad by waging a mass uprising. 

Begum Khaleda Zia gained the reputation of an 'uncompromising national leader' through her uncompromising fight against the dictatorship.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won a majority in the 1991 national elections and formed the government.

After overcoming various conspiracies, the BNP came to power again in 2001 by gaining a majority under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Since the 1/11 changeover in 2007, the BNP faced various obstacles and endured torture and oppression until 2024.

In order to confront the fascist Awami League regime, numerous leaders and activists of the party, including then party Chief Begum Khaleda Zia, were subjected to indescribable torture and oppression. 

Many were subjected to enforced disappearances and murders.

The role and sacrifice of the BNP, along with the students and the public, in the Mass Uprising of 2024 was immense.

The 16-year-long fascist regime collapsed on August 5, 2024, in the Mass Uprising, and fascist Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.

During Sheikh Hasina's long rule, the BNP could not hold any meetings without hindrance.

 The BNP was obstructed in various ways by the state apparatus and the then ruling party cadres.

In the 13th national election held on February 12 this year, the BNP again achieved a landslide victory and a two-thirds majority in parliament. The BNP formed the government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.