Zia’s 89th birth anniv today
Today is the 89th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh Nationalist Party founder Ziaur Rahman.
The party has announced programmes to observe the birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.
As part of the programme, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with members of the national standing committee and leaders and activists from all levels, will place wreaths and say fatiha at the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka at 11:00am on Sunday.
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 2:00pm on Sunday.
Born on January 19, 1936, at Baghbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president.
During the country’s War of Independence in 1971, Zia was initially a sector commander who later became a brigade commander and commanded the Z-Force.
Zia was decorated with the second highest gallantry award of Bir Uttam.
His proclamation from Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram on March 27, two days after the Pakistan army’s crackdown on unarmed Bengalis on the night of March 25, 1971, made Zia a household name throughout Bangladesh.
He rose to power on November 7, 1975 following the coup of mid-August and the counter-coup of November 3. In April 1977, he became president of the country.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit house on May 30, 1981.
Meanwhile, at a discussion organised by Mukta Chinta Bangladesh marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP’s founder Ziaur Rahman, the party standing committee member, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, on Saturday, called on professionals who supported the actions of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to apologise to the nation.
The programme was held at the National Press Club in the city.
Amir Khasru said that those directly involved in disappearances and murders during the Awami League regime should be given exemplary punishment.
No nation can progress by engaging in politics of revenge, he said, adding that if the BNP comes to power through elections, it will focus on the development of all sectors, including the economy, education, and healthcare, from the very first day.
