45th martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman today

Today, May 30, 2026, is the 45th death anniversary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

On this day in 1981, he was killed at Chattogram Circuit House by a group of army officers.

Today at 6:00 am, party flags will be kept at half-mast and black flags will be hoisted at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan and at BNP party offices across the country.

On the same day at 11:00 am, under the leadership of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, national leaders of the party, and leaders and activists from all levels will place wreaths and offer prayers at the grave of the late president.

After the prime minister’s visit at the grave premises, a Doa mahfil organized by Jatiyatabadi Olama Dal will be held there, reports BSS.

After paying homage, the PM will take part in the distribution of food items and clothes among the distressed people at the area adjacent to the T&T playground at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Later, he is expected to attend 16 more programmes scheduled in the capital city of Bangladesh, BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir said.

On Sunday, May 31, at 2:00pm, a discussion meeting organized by BNP will be held at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka.

Ziaur Rahman (January 1, 1936 �"May 30, 1981) was a freedom fighter, army chief and the sixth President of Bangladesh.

He assumed office in the year of 1977 and founded Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He served as the First Sector Commander and later the commander of “Z Force” in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. He was awarded the title “Bir Uttam” for his heroic contribution to the Liberation War. He was sworn in as the President of Bangladesh on April 21, 1977.

On September 1, 1978, he founded BNP. His politics were mainly based on “Bangladeshi nationalism” and economic liberalization. He took initiatives to make the country self-sufficient in food by calling for an agricultural revolution, a canal digging programme, popularly known as Khal Khanan Karmashuchi, through voluntary labor, and a green revolution.

He developed Bangladesh's relations with Middle Eastern countries and strengthened Bangladesh's position in forums like the OIC. He was brutally killed by a group of deviant army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981. His martyrdom anniversary is celebrated with great respect on May 30 every year.

He is often referred to as the ‘‘Shaheed President’’ in Bangladesh.