The BNP paid homage to its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Sunday on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary.

Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11:15am. 

They later offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon, Abdus Salam, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Mir Sarafat Ali, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Saiful Alam Nirab, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Amirulzzaman Khan Shimul, Dhaka north city unit president Aminul Haque and south city unit president Rafiqul Alam Mojnu were, among others, present.

Leaders and activists of BNP's different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia's grave.

Read: Zia’s 89th birth anniversary Sunday

Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country's seventh President.

To mark the day, the party hosted the party flag atop all BNP offices across the country.

BNP will also arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia.

BNP’s associate bodies are also observing the day with various programs, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes.

The party’s city, district and upazila units are marking the day with different programmes.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia.

He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the Liberation War, country’s development and restoration of multiparty democracy.

The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.