Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday announced a 14-day programme to observe the 34th death anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.

The Zia’s death anniversary programme will begin on 28 May and end on 10 June.

The programmes were finalised at a joint meeting of the party held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP joint secretary general M Shahjahan in the chair.

After the meeting, Shahjahan said the programmes include holding discussions, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food among the destitute.

‘We want to hold our programmes in a peaceful manner. We hope the government won’t create any obstacle to our programmes,’ he said.  

Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.

As part of the programmes, BNP will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on 28 May. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is likely to attend the programme.

BNP’s different associate bodies will arrange various programmes, including discussion, from 29 April to 10 June in observance of the death anniversary.  

On 30 May, party and black flags will be hoisted atop the party offices across the country, including Nayapaltan central office.

Besides, leaders and activists of the party, led by its chairperson Khaleda Zia, will place wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the day.

Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal will organise a Doa Mahfil on the premises of Zia’s grave while Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will provide free medical treatment and medicine in front of the party’s central office.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will distribute food among the destitute and poor at various spots across the capital on 30, 31 May and 1 June.