PM pays tribute at parents’ graves on BNP’s 48th founding anniversary

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday paid tribute at the graves of party founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary.
Flanked by standing committee members and senior leaders of the party’s front and associate bodies, Tarique Rahman reached his parents’ graves around 9:17am and placed floral wreaths. He and other leaders offered Fateha and joined a special munajat for the departed souls.
Those present included Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Selima Rahman, and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee.
Tarique Rahman later planted a sapling on the graves premises and released fish fry into the adjacent lake as part of the anniversary programme.
After security barricades were lifted following the prime minister’s departure, hundreds of party leaders and activists gathered at the site, chanting slogans and bringing out processions, including “Shubho Shubho Shubho Din, BNP’r Jonmodin” and “Ek Zia Lokantore, Lokkho Zia Ghore Ghore.”

BNP was founded by Ziaur Rahman on 1 September 1978. He led the party until he was killed by a group of disgruntled military personnel in 1981. The 48th anniversary was observed nationwide.
The party has announced a five-day programme for the occasion. Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel will lead a separate fish fry release at a date and location to be confirmed, while Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee will lead a tree-plantation campaign. Leaders and activists nationwide have been instructed to hold similar programmes.
National flags were hoisted at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office and at party offices across the country. District and metropolitan units also held discussion meetings and other programmes to mark the day.
Free medical camp in Nayapaltan
BNP organised a free medical camp at its central office in Nayapaltan on Tuesday as part of programmes marking its 48th founding anniversary.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi inaugurated the medical camp at the ground floor of the party’s central office in the capital.
People from different age groups, including men and women, received medical services at the camp. 
Physicians examined patients, provided necessary health advice and prescribed medicines according to their conditions.
A range of medicines was also distributed free of cost among the patients as part of the initiative aimed at extending healthcare support to disadvantaged and low-income people.
The BNP has taken various programmes to mark its founding anniversary, with the free medical camp being given particular importance as part of its efforts to provide healthcare services to people who have limited access to medical facilities.
BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam, among other party leaders, physicians and volunteers, were present at the inauguration and activities of the camp.
The anniversary falls at a time when BNP holds power after two decades out of government, with Tarique Rahman serving as prime minister for the first time.

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