Zia was assassinated on this day in 1981 by a group of disgruntled army officers at the Chittagong Circuit House.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and the chiefs of three services will pay tributes to the memory of the late president at his grave. Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar and Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddique will also place wreaths.

The BNP will observe its founder's death anniversary at a time when many of its senior leaders, including Zia's son and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, are in jail on charges of corruption. Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is also facing criticism from some influential party leaders for practising dynastic politics and wielding absolute power.

The BNP has chalked out limited programmes, including placing wreaths at Zia's grave, offering Fateha and organising Milad Mahfil, as the government did not allow it to organise elaborate programmes. The party did not also get permission to hold discussion meetings as it does every year.

"The 26th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman is going to be observed in a low-key manner due to the state of emergency and ban on indoor politics," a party press release said yesterday.

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia will place wreath at Zia's grave at 10:00am and will offer Fateha. She will also attend a Milad Mahfil there.

According to a government decision, 150 party leaders will be allowed to accompany Khaleda at most.

Leaders, activists and workers of BNP and its front organisations will be allowed to pay tribute at Zia's grave in a disciplined manner but they will not be allowed to bring any poster, banner and festoon and chant slogans.

All offices of BNP and its front organisations will keep the national and party flags hoisted at half-mast and a black flag atop. Local BNP units will finalise their programmes after consulting with the administration.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in a statement yesterday urged all party leaders and workers to pay tribute to Zia in a disciplined and peaceful manner. He also urged the people to pray for the departed soul of Zia.