Ziaur Rahman's 90th birth anniversary Monday

Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari, Bogura, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated by a group of army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 and later became the country’s seventh president.

Meanwhile, BNP announced a two-day programme on Saturday to mark the birth anniversary of its founder.

As part of the programmes, party flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country, including its Nayapaltan central office, on Monday morning.

Party leaders and activists, led by members of the standing committee, will place wreaths at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and offer fateha there at 11:00 am.

Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will organise a free medical camp as part of the programmes.

BNP will also hold a discussion meeting on Tuesday at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of Zia.

BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussion meetings and the distribution of warm clothes. The party’s city, district and upazila units will observe the occasion with different activities.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message paying deep tribute to Ziaur Rahman.

“Shaheed Zia was a visionary statesman. The proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, the pioneer of multi-party democracy, the commander of the Z Force during the Liberation War, and the proponent of Bangladesh nationalist ideology—I pay tribute to him on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary,” he said.

Fakhrul recalled Zia’s contributions to the Liberation War, national development and the restoration of multi-party democracy.

The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Ziaur Rahman, reports UNB.