BNP on Saturday announced a 10-day programme to observe the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in the morning. “In the current context, Ziaur Rahman is not only relevant but also an important. That’s why we on behalf of the party have taken various programmes to commemorate the day,” said Fakhrul. “Let us remember the person with due respect who proclaimed independence and who showed us the way. We’ll celebrate the day to build a free and prosperous Bangladesh and build a safe abode for our next generation,” he said. “We have to remember that we fought the Liberation War of Bangladesh--- they talk about the spirit of the Liberation War but they have totally forget it and destroyed it. The spirit was building a free society and a democratic state but they destroyed it,” said the BNP leader. “People of the country have now waken up, already 15 leaders and activists of BNP died in police firing and by the torture carried out by the Awami League led criminals. More than 600 leaders of BNP have been made disappeared in the past 15 years while thousands of leaders and activists have been killed. False cases have been filed against 34-40 lakh people and still more than 1000 BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir, Shimul Biswas are in jail,” he said. Also read: Zia’s 86th birth anniversary Wednesday The programmes include placing of wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Banglanagar at 11 am and discussions at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in memory of Zia at 3 pm on January 19. Mohila Dal will hold a discussion on January 17, Sramik Dal on January 21, Muktijoddha Dal on January 22, Krishak Dal on January 23, Jubo Dal on January 24 and Swechchashebak Dal on January 26. An art competition, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, will be held on January 18.A milad mahfil, organised by Ulama Dal will held on the same day. Dhaka Metropolitan BNP (North-South) will distribute winter clothes on January 19. Besides, a cultural programme will be held on January 20 arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas). Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.