
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing its 48th founding anniversary today, Tuesday (September 1).
The party was established on September 1, 1978, at Ramna Park in Dhaka by late former President Ziaur Rahman, who served as its founding chairman.
Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, during a failed military coup in Chattogram. Subsequently, on February 21, 1983, his wife, Khaleda Zia, took the helm of the party.
During the ousted Awami League government's tenure, Khaleda Zia was arrested on February 8, 2018, and sentenced in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, remaining imprisoned for over two years.
Due to her incarceration and subsequent illness, she was ultimately unable to remain active in politics.
However, her son, Tarique Rahman, has served as the party's acting chairman since February 2018 despite living in exile in London.
The BNP remained out of power for over 17 years starting in 2006. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina in the July uprising, Tarique Rahman returned to the country on December 25, 2025.
On December 30 of that same month, his mother and the party's then-chairperson, Khaleda Zia, passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.
Subsequently, on January 9, 2026, Tarique Rahman assumed full responsibilities as the party chairman.
On February 12 of the following year, the BNP government led by Tarique Rahman secured a two-thirds majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Colorful Programs
The BNP has organized a series of colorful events to mark its 48th founding anniversary.
As part of the program, party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will pay homage at the mausoleums of President Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia at 9:00 AM on September 1, where he will offer Fateha and lay floral wreaths.
A discussion meeting regarding the founding anniversary will be held on September 5. Additionally, fish release and tree plantation programs have been organized.
The fish release program will be led by BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, while the tree plantation program will be led by Joint Secretary General and Minister of Water Resources Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie.
These programs were announced on August 26 by the party's senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.




