DHAKA: BNP has chalked out two-day programmes to observe the 83rd birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman in a befitting manner.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party's central office in Nayapaltan area on Thursday (Jan 17).

The programmes include placing wreaths and offering fateha at Zia's grave, holding discussions and rallies.

Ziaur Rahman, born at Bagbari in Bogra on January 19 in 1936, founded the party in 1978. He is the 7th president of Bangladesh.

Rizvi said as part of the programmes, the party will hold a discussion at the Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium in the city on Friday (Jan 18) to mark the birthday.

Apart from this, party flag will be hoisted atop all BNP offices across the country on Saturday (Jan 19).

As BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has remained confined in the jail, senior party leaders along with leaders-activists of associate bodies will place wreaths at Zia's grave on Saturday in observance of the birth anniversary, he added.

BNP's associate bodies, different city, district, upazila and thana units of BNP will also organise various programmes to celebrate the day.

In his written speech, Rizvi said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia could not able to appear before the court on Wednesday (Jan 16) due to her illness. It was unprecedented that she was kept in the prison in an unhealthy environment. 

“There is no doubt that it is being done to fulfill the personal revenge of someone. The prison authorities did not pay heed to the petitions from her family and party for her better treatment. Without completion of treatment, she was sent back to the prison from hospital”, the BNP leader alleges.  

BDST: 1456 HRS, JAN 17, 2019
RS/SMS