The founder of BNP, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, founded an organization called Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal on August 19, 1980, thinking of standing by the people in times of various calamities. At that time, a 23-member committee was convened by journalist Kazi Siraj. Then on August 19, 1985, a 29-member committee was convened by Kazi Asaduzzaman.