The 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is being observed across the country on Saturday with profound respect and solemnity.

Known as the proclaimer of the great independence, one of the frontline sector commanders of the Liberation War, founder of the ruling BNP, and the advocate of multi-party democracy, Ziaur Rahman was brutally assassinated on May 30, 1981, at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of disgruntled army officers as part of a domestic and foreign conspiracy.

To mark the occasion, the ruling BNP announced an extensive eight-day special schedule running from May 25 to June 1.

As part of the ongoing itinerary, special commemorative posters have been published nationwide, and party leaders and activists are wearing black badges.

At 6 am on this day, the national and party flags were hoisted at half-mast, while black flags were raised at the party's Nayapaltan central office and all organizational offices across Bangladesh.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, alongside national leaders and party activists from all tiers, will place wreaths and offer special prayers at the grave of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Zia Udyan in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11 am.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Friday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi confirmed that all necessary preparations had been seamlessly completed to observe the day with due respect.

Various units of the party, associated and affiliated organizations, professional bodies, and cultural fronts are organizing discussion meetings, milad and doa mahfils, photo exhibitions and various specialized events highlighting the life, philosophy, and works of Ziaur Rahman nationwide.

Following the prayer session at Zia Udyan, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will actively participate in a widespread clothing and food distribution initiative targeting the underprivileged across different sectors of the capital.

BNP Media Cell Member Shairul Kabir Khan told BSS that the Premier will kick off the distribution drive at the T&T playground on Manik Mia Avenue starting at 11:30 am.

Khan further detailed that the Prime Minister is scheduled to sequentially attend distribution programmes at 16 distinct locations across Dhaka city, accompanied by government ministers, members of parliament and central leaders of BNP and its front organizations.

Later in the afternoon, the Premier will join a major food distribution event in front of the Nayapaltan central office, organized jointly by five associated bodies and one affiliated organization of the party.

National dailies have also published special supplements commemorating the day.

Marking the anniversary, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, alongside top leaders of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, will pay rich tributes at the graves of both Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in the morning.

Rizvi is subsequently scheduled to attend an aid distribution programme organized by lawyers near the High Court shrine area at 11 am.

Concurrently, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan will join an event organized by cultural activists in front of the FDC at Karwan Bazar at 11:20 am.

Furthermore, BNP will host a central discussion meeting at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital's Ramna area on Sunday at 2 pm.

Ziaur Rahman, celebrated as the proclaimer of independence, famously served as a gallant sector commander during the Liberation War and was the chief commander of the historic 'Z Force'.

The political party he founded, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has evolved into one of the country's most formidable political forces.

He is universally recognized as the pioneer of multi-party democracy for introducing political pluralism to Bangladesh, the visionary architect who conceived and founded the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the statesman who established a timeless political philosophy grounded in Bangladeshi nationalism.

The BNP secured an overwhelming majority in the 13th National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) Election held on February 12 this year, subsequent to which it formed the current government.

Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, currently helms the party as its Chairman and serves as the Prime Minister of the country.

Supported by massive public trust, the BNP has now been entrusted with running the state for a fifth historic term.

Beyond the party line, people from all walks of life are observing the martyrdom anniversary today with deep-felt respect.