DHAKA, Aug 31, 2025 (BSS) - The 47th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is tomorrow.

A seven-day programme has been taken to celebrate the founding anniversary in a befitting manner.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman founded BNP on this day in 1978. He was the founding chairman of the party.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman gave a message today on the eve of the party's founding anniversary saying the main goal of BNP is to alleviate the suffering of the people in realizing their rights, protect the country's independence and sovereignty, and re-establish the trend of multi-party democracy.

He extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all leaders and activists of the party, well-wishers and countrymen on the occasion of the anniversary.

Tarique Rahman said the great independence proclaimer Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman established the BNP on September 1, 1978, with the aim of uniting the people with nationalist ideals. 

“The day is a day of joy, enthusiasm and inspiration for the Bangladeshi people. The party is committed to the policy of complete independence of Bangladeshi territory and strong sovereignty protection and giving a permanent shape to multi-party democracy,” he said.

A 16-member national celebration committee has been formed to mark the 47th founding anniversary of BNP. 

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan is the convener and Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed serves as the member secretary in the committee.

Marking the anniversary, a discussion meeting titled “The purpose and significance of establishing BNP” was held today at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna here.

Tomorrow (September 1), the party flag will be hoisted at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan and party offices across the country at 6 am.

BNP Secretary General, members of the party's National Standing Committee, central leaders of BNP and associate bodies and activists will place wreaths at the mausoleum of the great independence proclaimer, advocate of multi-party democracy and architect of modern Bangladesh, BNP's founding chairman, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam at 11am at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Fateha will be offered there on the occasion.

Discussions will be held and colorful processions will be brought out in districts and cities across the country tomorrow.

A colorful procession will be brought out from in front of the Nayapaltan central office of the party on September 2.

Discussion and colorful processions will be brought out in upazilas and municipalities on September 3.

A supplement will be published in the newspaper on the occasion of the founding anniversary. Posters have been published on the occasion of the founding anniversary. 

Roundtable discussions will be held on contemporary relevant issues at the initiative of BNP.

On the occasion of the founding anniversary, cultural programmes, tree plantation campaigns, fish fry releasing, free medical camps and sports events will be held across the country including Dhaka at convenient times.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was at the forefront of organizing BNP until he was killed by a group of disgruntled military personnel in 1981. 

After Ziaur Rahman's assassination, his wife Begum Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of the party and she has been serving as the chairperson of the party. 

However, since her imprisonment in false cases in 2018, her son Tarique Rahman has been serving as the acting chairman of the party.

Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP won the nine-year-long struggle against the 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 one-eleven changeover in 2007, the BNP faced various obstacles, dangers, torture and oppression till 2024. 

In order to confront the fascist Awami League regime, numerous leaders and activists of the party, including the 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 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, BNP could not hold any meetings without any hindrance. BNP was obstructed in various ways by the state apparatus and the then ruling party cadres.