Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia cut seven cakes at the stroke of midnight on Sunday night celebrating her eldest son Tarique Rahman’s 53rd anniversary of birth.

Khaleda Zia flanked by her party’s senior leaders, cut the cakes, each a whopping 53 lbs to match her son’s age, at her Gulshan office.

Later, she spoke to Tarique, who has been residing in London since 2008, and wished him Happy Birthday over phone. 

BNP and its associate bodies chalked out various programmes, including discussions, milad mahfils, free health camp, art competitions, screening documentaries, prayers and recitation from the holy Quran, to celebrate their senior vice chairman’s birthday.

Tarique was born on November 20, 1965.

As part of BNP’s two-day programme, the party will hold special prayer and milad mahfils and discussions in all metropolitan cities and district towns on Monday, marking the day.

The party will also arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on November 25 to mark the birthday.

Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a BNP front organisation, will arrange a free health camp from 9:00am to 4:00pm on the ground floor of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal cut another huge cake at the BNP central office in the morning.

The UK chapter of BNP will also celebrate Tarique’s birthday amid various programmes.

On September 11, 2008, Tarique Rahman went to London for treatment, and he has been living with his family there since then.

He was arrested on March 7, 2007 and freed from jail on bail on September 3, 2008.