Chattogram Metropolitan BNP and its affiliated organisations held a prayer and milad mahfil on Thursday afternoon to mark the 18th anniversary of the release of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia from prison.
The event took place at the Jama Masjid adjacent to the party’s Nasimon Bhaban office in the city. Special prayers were offered for Begum Zia’s swift recovery, continued good health, and long life. Prayers were also said for the restoration of democracy and the freedom of the people of Bangladesh.
Begum Khaleda Zia was arrested on 3 September 2007 by the then army-backed caretaker government from her residence on Mainul Road in Dhaka Cantonment. She was released a year later on 11 September 2008. Since then, BNP members and supporters have observed the date annually as ‘Jail Parole Day’, commemorating her release and her contributions to the nation’s democratic movements.
At the event, leaders of Chattogram BNP recalled Khaleda Zia’s historic role in the fight for democracy in Bangladesh, particularly her leadership in anti-dictatorship movements following the country's independence. They also criticised what they described as false cases and political conspiracies orchestrated by the current regime.
Speaking at the mahfil, Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener Ershad Ullah, Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman, and former Member Secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar highlighted Khaleda Zia’s resilience and her refusal to compromise on democratic principles, despite facing political persecution.
Other prominent BNP figures present included Joint Conveners Syed Azam Uddin, Kazi Belal Uddin, Harun Zaman, Shawkat Azam Khawaja, Yasin Chowdhury Liton, Shihab Uddin Mobin, Manjurul Alam Manju, and former Jubo Dal President Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Dipti. Metropolitan BNP members Kamrul Islam, Anwar Hossain Lipu, Mohammad Zafar Ahmed, and Mohammad Abu Musa were also in attendance.
