Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, May 30, 2026 (BSS) – The 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was observed today in the port city and its surrounding upazilas with due respect.
 
On this significant day, numerous party leaders, activists and people from different walks of life gathered to honour his memory at his first burial site in Zianagar of Rangunia upazila.
 
To mark the occasion, the district administration, city corporation, BNP and its affiliated organisations organised a series of programmes throughout the day in line with the central programme to pay tribute to the founder of the party.
 
The day's programmes included discussion meetings, distribution of food and nutritional supplements, wearing of black badges, hoisting of black flags, laying of wreaths, offering prayers at Ziaur Rahman's grave, and distribution of food and clothing among the needy.
 
BNP lowered its party flag to half-mast and hoisted black flags at various offices across the city, district and upazilas in the morning, while party leaders and activists wore black badges.
 
Leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations also observed the day by paying floral tributes, bringing out mourning processions, holding discussion meetings and organising doa mahfils from morning till noon. Chattogram city as well as the north and south district BNP units and their affiliated organisations separately paid homage by placing wreaths.
 
A doa and milad mahfil seeking eternal peace for the soul of the BNP founder was held at the first grave of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in Rangunia upazila.
 
In the morning, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury placed a wreath at the first grave of Shaheed President Zia in Zianagar under Pomra Union of Rangunia.
 
State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, MPs Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury, Ershad Ullah, Abu Sufian, Humam Quader Chowdhury and Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, along with leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations, were present on the occasion.
 
A large number of leaders and activists from different districts, upazilas and grassroots levels gathered in Zianagar and paid homage to the martyred leader by laying wreaths.
 
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury distributed food items among the poor, helpless and pedestrians at Kazir Deuri intersection near the Chattogram Circuit House in the afternoon on the occasion. 
 
As part of the observance, the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Dal organised a discussion meeting at the July Smrity Hall of the Chattogram Press Club. State Minister for Land Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin attended the function as the chief guest. Senior party leaders and distinguished guests spoke on Ziaur Rahman's contributions to the country's progress and prosperity.
 
Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain attended a discussion meeting at the historic Biplob Udyan in the morning to commemorate the memory of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam.
 
Besides, BNP's Chattogram North and South district units separately organised discussion meetings and distributed food and clothing at different places in the presence of senior leaders.
 
Speakers said Ziaur Rahman transformed Bangladesh from a one-party system into a multi-party democracy during his presidency, marking a significant change in the country's political landscape.
 
Meanwhile, BTV Chattogram Centre aired special programmes throughout the day marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.