BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said their party’s main task is to implement the ideals and vision of the party's founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and restore democracy.

Talking to reporters after placing wreaths at Zia’s grave, he also mentioned that BNP leaders and activists have taken a vow to build a new Bangladesh on the eve of the party’s 46th founding anniversary.

"Currently, the main task of the BNP is to implement the ideals envisioned by the former president Ziaur Rahman and materialise his dreams. Our goal now also is to uphold the democracy that was established by our leader, Begum Khaleda Zia," the BNP leader said.

He said their party is committed to establishing democracy firmly in Bangladesh, implementing a free-market economy, and working towards building a prosperous nation, braving all challenges and obstacles.

"Today (Sunday), we have made a pledge and taken an oath to build the new Bangladesh that our party's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is envisioning and working tirelessly to make a reality," the BNP leader said.

Earlier, several thousand party leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, led by Fakhrul, placed a wreath at Zia’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar grave and offered fateha there, marking the party’s 46th founding anniversary.

They also joined a special prayer (munajat) seeking the salvation of Zia’s departed soul and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman freed Bangladesh from the one-party rule and introduced multi-party democracy.

“Ziaur Rahman gave new direction to the nation with his 19-point program and he presented a new dream to the nation. His foresight and vision helped shape Bangladesh into what it is today. He laid the foundation for transforming Bangladesh into a modern nation through multi-party democracy and a free market economy,” the BNP leader said.

He said that Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP to advance Bangladesh’s democratic transition and economic reforms to their highest potential.

Fakhrul also said their party Chairperson, Khaleda Zia, paved a new path for democracy by defeating the then-dictatorship in 1990, along with students and the general public.

He said that the BNP struggled for 15 years to achieve the freedom the nation now enjoys in 2024. “Many BNP leaders and activists were subjected to enforced disappearances, over 2,000 were killed, and false cases were filed against our 6 million leaders and activists—all in the fight for democracy.”

He thanked the students and the general public for making the movement successful and for helping to oust the autocratic regime.

“By Allah’s grace, we are now able to celebrate this day in a free atmosphere. We believe that BNP has always provided the right leadership, will continue to engage in the right politics in the future, and will advance alongside the people.”