The ruling BNP and its front organisations have taken up a two-day programme across the country to mark the day.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, also the BNP chairperson, and her senior party colleagues placed wreaths at the Mazar of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11:30am yesterday. Later, a special munajat was offered for the peace of the departed soul.

The front organisations of BNP also placed wreaths at his mazar. A programme was also organised at the Shilpakala Academy to mark the day.

The Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) organised a blood donation programme at Tejgaon in the capital.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal observed the birth anniversary of Zia by cutting cakes at the Madhu's Canteen on Dhaka University campus. The former Chhatra Dal leaders also observed the day by cutting cakes at the Ramna Restaurant.

Former President Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19 in 1936 in Gabtoli upazila of Bogra.