Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman

CHATTOGRAM, May 29, 2026 (BSS) - The BNP and its affiliated organizations in Chattogram city and north and south district units have taken elaborate programmes to observe the 45th death anniversary of the party's founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

In line with the central BNP's directives, a three-day programme will begin on May 29 and continue until June 1 marking the anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in Chattogram on May 30, 1981.

City BNP Senior Joint Convenor Shoukat Azam Khawza told BSS that national and party flags will be kept at half-mast while black flags will be hoisted at all BNP offices, including the city headquarters at Nasimon Bhaban, from 6:00 am on May 30.

Similar programmes will also be observed at ward, union, thana and municipality-level party offices across the district.

BNP leaders and activists, along with members of affiliated bodies, will place wreaths at Ziaur Rahman's grave at Rangunia at 10:00 am and later at Biplob Udyan in the city's No. 2 Gate area at 12:00 pm on the same day.

City BNP General Secretary Nazimur Rahman said party leaders will offer prayers at the grave and participate in a doa and milad mahfil seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Senior BNP leaders, he said, from the city and district units, including City BNP President Ershadullah, MP, and Abu Sufian, MP, are expected to attend the programmes.

Nazimur Rahman also said an inter-school Gold Cup football tournament has been organized in Chattogram marking the occasion.

A discussion meeting in memory of Ziaur Rahman will be held on June 1 at the city BNP office at Nasimon Bhaban.

Besides, discussion meetings, special prayers at mosques and distribution of rice, lentils and clothes among underprivileged people will be organized in different wards of Chattogram City Corporation and various upazilas of the district.

Under the initiative of Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, relief materials, including rice, lentils and clothes, will be distributed among poor families in different wards and thanas of the city on May 30, city BNP office secretary Idris Ali said.

Chattogram South District BNP Convener Idris Mia told BSS that upazila and municipality units of the party across the district will also observe the day with due solemnity through discussion meetings, doa mahfils and humanitarian assistance programmes.

The party will also publish special supplements in national newspapers marking the anniversary.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram District Administration has arranged a discussion meeting and doa mahfil at the Circuit House Conference Room to commemorate the anniversary.

The Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram will organize another discussion meeting and doa mahfil at 11:00 am on Saturday. Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain will attend as chief guest, while Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah will be present as special guests.

The city unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal has announced a two-day programme to mark the anniversary. Its Convener Belayet Hossain Bulu said food will be distributed among the poor at city police stations on May 30, while special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas.

On May 31, cleanliness drives and tree plantation programmes will be conducted across different city wards.

City units of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal have also arranged separate programmes to observe the anniversary.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) Chattogram Centre has arranged a daylong special broadcast to mark the occasion.

General Manager of the centre Md Imam Hossain said a documentary titled "Swadhinatar Ghoshak Zia" highlighting the life and contributions of Ziaur Rahman will be aired. 

A discussion programme titled "Mrityunjoyee Swadhinatar Ghoshak" will also be broadcast featuring participation of State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and senior journalist Shah Newaz.

According to BTV Chattogram sources, a poetry recitation and musical programme titled "Kamal to Shaheed Zia" and a special magazine programme "Amra Kamal Kudi" will also be aired.

Besides, a special graphic video featuring notable quotes of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman will be broadcast throughout the day.

Md Imam Hossain said the state-run television channel has designed a comprehensive programme to present the life, leadership and multifaceted contributions of Ziaur Rahman to audiences of all ages, especially the younger generation.

Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 and was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.