The BNP will celebrate the 89th birth anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Sunday with due respect.

Born on 19 January 1936 in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman, founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president.

Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on 30 May 1981.

BNP on Thursday announced a day-long programme to observe the 89th birth anniversary of its founder.

As part of the programmes, the party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters on Sunday morning.

Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11:00 am.

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

BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with different programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes.

The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe 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’.