BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. File Photo

DHAKA, Aug 31, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the party has been working tirelessly to protect national independence and sovereignty, establish democracy, and ensure the rights of the people since its inception. 

He made the remarks in a message marking BNP's 48th founding anniversary. 

He said, "Forty-eight years ago today, during a period of extreme national crisis, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was established under the leadership of the great proclaimer of independence, proponent of multi-party democracy, heroic statesman, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman."

On this auspicious occasion of the party's 48th founding anniversary, Rizvi prayed to Almighty Allah for the forgiveness of the soul of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. 

He further said, "I express my sincere respect to Begum Khaleda Zia and seek forgiveness for her soul. I also express deep respect to all those leaders and activists who have sacrificed for the party since its founding. On this joyous day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to leaders and activists at all levels of the party, supporters, well-wishers, and the people of the country.

"Bangladeshi nationalism and multi-party democracy are BNP's core ideals. The 19-point program formulated by Shaheed Zia at the time of BNP's founding is the fundamental basis of the party's political, social, economic, and cultural activities. BNP's main goals are to establish 'Bangladeshi identity' as the foundation of every patriotic citizen's dignity based on the ideals and philosophy of the party's founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, protect independence and sovereignty, and ensure people's fundamental rights," the message said. 

Rizvi called upon leaders and activists at all levels of the party to work unitedly to continue the path of democracy and ensure that no arbitrary force can ever again usurp people's rights. Following the historic student-people's mass uprising of July-August 2024 that ended the long period of democracy deficit and autocratic rule, the free and fair election held on February 12 opened a new door of possibilities. 

"Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is tirelessly working to fulfill people's expectations. I wish him all success. Alongside ensuring the security of people's lives and property, BNP is sincerely working to implement its electoral promises to establish the rule of law, justice, human dignity, and democratic values in the state and society," he added. 

The message further said that BNP always gives the highest importance to people's opinions and voting rights. Ensuring people's democratic rights is BNP's commitment. At the same time, the BNP government is working together to build an accountable, people-oriented and welfare-based state system across the country's economy, administration, judiciary, and state institutions.

Protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, strengthening democracy, and establishing people's rights are BNP's primary political goals, read the message. 

Rizvi added, "We must all work unitedly to implement Tarique Rahman's comprehensive plans to build a prosperous, humane, and justice-based Bangladesh by eliminating hunger, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and social anarchy. At the same time, BNP is giving the highest importance to developing democratic consciousness in the state and society and protecting people's fundamental rights."