Dhaka: After a long decade, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to Senakunja to participate in the Armed Forces Day program. This is Khaleda Zia's first public program since 2018.
On Thursday (November 21), Khaleda Zia left for Senakunja from her residence at Gulshan-2, Firoza, in the capital at around 3:30 pm.
Khaleda Zia is accompanied by her youngest son, the late Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Sharmila Rahman Sinthi and her housekeeper Fatema in the car.
Besides, BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman, AZM Zahid Hossain, Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, BNP Chairperson's Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, and Private Secretary Abdus Sattar in the other car.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus will be present as the chief guest. This time, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has received a special invitation from the Armed Forces Division of the Office of the Chief Adviser.
It is learned that the BNP Chairperson will leave her Gulshan residence for Senakunja at 3:30 pm on Thursday.
Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Chairperson's media wing, said that last Tuesday night, Army Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt. General Mizanur Rahman Shamim and Armed Forces Division Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt. General ASM Kamrul Ahsan met former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and handed over the invitation letter.
BNP party sources said that along with Khaleda Zia, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has also been invited for the first time since 2009. A total of 26 people have received invitations to the Armed Forces Day program this year. Among them are BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, vice-chairmen and former military officers of other ranks. In the past, such a large number of leaders were not invited.