Staff Correspondent: BNP and its associate bodies are celebrating the 81st birth anniversary of their party founder Ziaur Rahman across the country today (Thursday) with holding various programmes.



Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogra, Ziaur Rahman founded BNP in 1978 and become the country's 7th president.



BNP has taken up elaborate programmes to observe the day. The programmes include hoisting of the party flag atop its offices, placing wreaths and arranging discussion and free medical camp.



Besides, BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion showing profound homage to late Zia.



He prayed for salvation of his departed soul. Zia rose to power on November 7, 1975 following the coup of mid-August and the counter-coup of November 3. In April 1977, he took over as president from Justice ASM Sayem. Zia was assassinated by a cable of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on the night of May 30, 1981. Since then, BNP is headed by his wife Khaleda Zia.



Risingbd/Dhaka/Jan 19, 2017/Mukul