Dhaka, Nov 21 (V7N) – The participation of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Armed Forces Day reception is a testament to the BNP's 15-year-long movement and struggle, said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking to reporters at the Senakunj venue on Thursday afternoon, Mirza Fakhrul expressed gratitude for the recognition shown to the BNP Chairperson. He remarked, “For 12 years, she (Khaleda Zia) has been deliberately kept away from the country’s most patriotic force, the armed forces.”

This marks the first public appearance by the BNP Chairperson since 2018, when she last visited Sylhet on February 5. After leaving her Gulshan residence, Firoza, at 3:30 PM, Khaleda Zia reached Senakunj at around 3:45 PM to attend the ceremony.

Mirza Fakhrul emphasized Khaleda Zia’s enduring contributions to the nation, stating, “She has dedicated a significant part of her life to the country’s independence and democracy.” He added, “We are grateful for the respect the armed forces and the Chief Advisor of the government have shown her today. The entire nation shares this joy.”

In a notable development, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was also invited to the Armed Forces Day program for the first time since 2009, alongside 26 other prominent BNP leaders. The invitees included members of the BNP Standing Committee, Vice Chairpersons, and former military officers. This is the first time in over a decade that BNP leaders have received such invitations.

The invitation is seen as a recognition of BNP’s political presence and its prolonged struggle for democratic reforms. Mirza Fakhrul highlighted how Khaleda Zia had been excluded from armed forces events for over a decade, underscoring the significance of her inclusion this year.

This gesture by the interim government and the armed forces is being interpreted as a step toward fostering political inclusivity and healing past divisions, signaling a shift in the political landscape of Bangladesh.

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