Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday took part in a day-long programme distributing clothes and food items among poor and destitute people across 16 locations in Dhaka city, marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.

The programme began around 11:25am from the Rajdhani High School ground on Manik Mia Avenue, where the Prime Minister started distributing relief items among the needy.

Relief distribution activities were held across the areas of the two Dhaka city corporations, including Shyamoli Square, Government Bangla College, Pallabi Metro Station, ECB Chattar, Kuril Bishwa Road, Fuji Trade Centre, Jatrabari, Jurain, Banglabazar and Dhanmondi.

Speaking at different venues, the Prime Minister called for taking a pledge to build the country in line with Ziaur Rahman’s ideals, saying his politics was based on standing by people and nation-building.

“We must take a pledge to build the country in line with the ideals of Shaheed Zia,” he said, urging party leaders and activists to remain close to the people and extend personal support to the needy alongside party initiatives.

Tarique Rahman also called upon city dwellers to take responsibility for keeping Dhaka clean, saying cleanliness was not only the responsibility of city corporations but also of residents.

“We must try to generate as less waste as we can. If we all act responsibly, the city will remain cleaner,” he said, adding that a clean environment will improve living conditions and make the work of sanitation workers easier.

At Jurain, the Prime Minister said people often admire clean cities abroad and questioned why local streets could not be kept clean in the same way, stressing the need for public awareness and responsible behaviour.

He also urged the affluent section of society to come forward to support the poor, saying collective social responsibility could help improve people’s lives more quickly than government efforts alone.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, Tarique Rahman concluded his programme around 5:40pm in the Dhanmondi area after distributing clothes among the poor and then left for his residence.

In the afternoon, he attended separate programmes organised by the party’s associate and affiliated bodies in front of the BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan, where he distributed food items and clothes among the underprivileged and distressed people.

Earlier, at 11:00am, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman, marking his death anniversary.

He first placed a floral wreath at the grave of Ziaur Rahman in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area in the capacity of Prime Minister.

Later, accompanied by members of the party’s standing committee and senior leaders, Tarique Rahman also paid homage to the party founder as its current chief.

In the evening, a milad and doa mahfil was held at his Gulshan residence, attended by family members, relatives and close associates.

Family members, including Shamim Eskandar, younger brother of Begum Khaleda Zia, and her sister Selima Islam were present at the programme.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said a munajat was offered for the eternal peace of Ziaur Rahman’s soul at the residence.

He said the Prime Minister, his family members, close relatives, officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as SSF and PGR personnel, also attended the milad.