Ziaur Rahman's 44th death anniversary today 

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will observe the 44th death anniversary of its founder and proclaimed independence leader, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam today with a series of events across Dhaka.

The day will begin at 10:30am with senior BNP leaders, including members of the party's Standing Committee and affiliates from Dhaka north and south units, paying tribute at Zia's grave at Chandrima Udyan in Dhaka.

Throughout the day, the party will distribute food among the underprivileged at various locations in the capital. At 12 noon, Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will join the charity event in front of DCC Market in Gulshan-2.

Following the Friday prayers, BNP leaders will take part in special gatherings at multiple venues. 

Mirza Abbas will address the event in front of the party's central office in Nayapaltan, while Begum Selima Rahman will appear at Basabo playground, and AZM Zahid Hossain at the KFC intersection in Dhanmondi.

Separate commemorative events will also be held at 11am on Manik Mia Avenue and at noon on the premises of the High Court Mazar, where Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed is scheduled to speak.

Ziaur Rahman was born in Bogura on 19 January 1936. Commissioned into the Pakistan Army, he rose to prominence during the Liberation War of 1971, when on 26 March he declared the country's independence from the Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram.

Zia commanded Sector 11 and was later decorated with the title "Bir Uttam" for his bravery.

Following independence, he served as deputy chief and then chief of the Bangladesh Army. In the aftermath of the political turmoil of 1975, he assumed leadership of the state and formally took office as president in 1977. The next year, he founded the BNP.

Zia is credited with restoring multiparty democracy and initiating policy reforms in both governance and the economy. He was assassinated in a military coup in Chattogram on 30 May 1981.

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