BNP marks Ziaur Rahman's birth anniversary...............

BNP was observing the 73rd birth anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman with programmes across the country on Monday.

Central BNP leaders led by chairperson Khaleda Zia paid tribute to the late president by at his grave. Weeklong programmes have been chalked out for the occasion.

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain told reporters that Ziaur Rahman was "the pioneer of democracy".

BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman was born in 1936 at Bagbari village in Gabtoli, Bogra.

The sector commander of the liberation war became army chief in 1975, and went on to become president.

Zia founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978.