Ziaur Rahman’s 90th birth anniversary today

The 90th birth anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman is being observed today (January 19).

Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936, in Bagbari village of Nashipur Union under Gabtoli upazila in Bogura. He joined the then Pakistan Army in 1953 and played a key role in Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, serving as commander of the Z Force.

Following political upheaval on November 7, 1975, Ziaur Rahman emerged at the centre of state power and was elected president on April 21, 1977. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978. He was assassinated on May 30, 1981, at the Chattogram Circuit House.

As part of the anniversary programmes, BNP leaders and activists will place wreaths and offer prayers at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11:00am today. Party flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country, alongside discussions and prayer programmes at various organisational levels.

A commemorative discussion will be held on Tuesday at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital.