The 20th imprisonment day of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is being observed on Saturday recalling his arrest during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007.
Tarique Rahman was arrested from his residence on Moinul Road in Dhaka Cantonment on March 7, 2007 by a team of joint forces.
As two decades have passed since the arrest, the BNP is observing the day with various programmes.
After his arrest, Tarique Rahman was taken on remand in several cases.
BNP leaders allege that he was subjected to torture while in remand, which caused serious physical injuries.
According to the party, the then government filed a series of cases against him in an attempt to weaken the BNP politically.
Following his arrest, Tarique Rahman remained in prison for nearly 18 months.
He was released on bail on September 3, 2008 after being granted bail in all the cases filed against him.
Just eight days later, he left Dhaka for London on September 11 for advanced medical treatment.
BNP Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee alleged that the subsequent government led by Bangladesh Awami League filed numerous cases against him, continuing the approach of the 1/11 caretaker government.
He said all the cases were false and politically motivated, aimed at weakening the BNP and maligning Tarique Rahman.
To mark the day, leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies are observing it through discussions, prayer meetings and other commemorative events.
Anee said despite various challenges in his political life, Tarique Rahman continued to lead the party and eventually brought it to power.
On December 25, 2025, Tarique returned home, ending his more than 17 years of exile in London, and attended a reception in the presence of tens of thousands of people.
BNP took part in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 and secured an absolute majority with 209 seats.
On February 17, Tarique Rahman assumed office as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh.