Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday paid homage to slain party founder Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave marking its 38th founding anniversary.

Khaleda, the widow of Zia, flanked by party leaders and activists, placed the wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar grave in Dhaka around 11:20pm and offered fateha there.

She also joined a special prayer (munajat) seeking salvation for Zia's departed soul.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, ASM Hannan Shah, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, vice-chairmen Selima Rahman, Mohammad Shahjahan, Ahmed Azam Khan, AZM Zahid Hossain, chairperson's advisers Amanullah Aman and Zainul Abedin Farroque, and joint secretaries general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Khairul Kabir Khokon were, among others, present.

Leaders and activists of different units and associate bodies of the party also laid wreaths at the late president’s grave on the occasion.

BNP and its associate bodies are celebrating the founding anniversary with various programmes across the country.

Talking to reporters after placing wreaths, Fakhrul said the current ‘autocratic’ government has snatched people’s all rights as the country lacks democracy. ‘They want to eliminate opposition parties, especially BNP, with their repressive acts.’  

Claiming that the country’s majority people support BNP, he said their party will not be defeated. ‘BNP had rebounded several times in the past facing obstacles and adversities. It’ll again bounce back and restore democracy under the leadership of Khaleda with people’s strong support.’  

To mark the founding anniversary, the party flag was kept hoisted atop the buildings of the BNP’s central office in Dhaka and other offices across the country in the morning.   

Earlier on Wednesday, the party chairperson and secretary general congratulated the countrymen, party leaders and workers and well-wishers on this occasion.