Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman struggled to hold back his emotions on Saturday as the children of several disappeared party leaders and activists broke down in tears while recalling the long, painful years spent waiting for their fathers.

The heart-wrenching scenes unfolded at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre during a views-exchange meeting with the families of victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture.

The event, jointly organized by Amra BNP Paribar and Mayer Daak, served to honor those who suffered during the previous Awami League administration and to pay tribute to the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

During the testimonies, the hall fell into a heavy silence as Tarique Rahman was seen wiping his eyes with a tissue. Among those speaking was Adiba Islam Hridhi, daughter of Parvez Hossain, a Chhatra Dal leader who disappeared in 2013.

"Years pass and new years arrive, but our father never comes home," Hridhi said, her voice trembling. "My dream has always been to go to school holding my father’s hand, but that dream remains unfulfilled. How long do I have to wait?"

Another child, Safa, whose father Md Sohel went missing when she was only two months old, shared a similar struggle. "For more than a decade we have searched for him, but found nothing.

When others my age learn to walk holding their fathers’ hands, I search for mine," she said before breaking down.

The grief in the room was palpable, visibly moving not only the families and organizers but also security staff.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who himself survived a 62-day enforced disappearance in 2015, was also seen in tears as he listened to the accounts of those still missing their loved ones.