Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman and prime minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday paid tribute at the graves of party founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, marking the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Tarique Rahman went to the gravesite at about 9:15am. He first paid homage as prime minister and then as the BNP chairman.

He stood there silently for some time and later participated in the recitation of Fateha and prayers and supplications.

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, cabinet members and senior party leaders were present during the programme.

A tight security arrangement was put in place at Zia Udyan and surrounding areas ahead of the prime minister’s arrival.

The gravesite was opened to general BNP leaders and activists shortly after Tarique Rahman left the area following the tribute.

The BNP was founded on September 1 in 1978 by then president Ziaur Rahman.