Prime Minister Khaleda Zia opened the day's programmes in the capital by placing wreath at the late president's tomb at around 10:30am.

Party leaders stood in silence for few moments beside the mazaar to pay respect to the BNP founder. A contingent of army guards gave salute to the late president as bugle played the last post.

Khaleda, chairperson of the BNP, placed another garland on behalf of her party. Cabinet members, party leaders and activists were also present during the solemn service.

They offered prayers at the mazaar seeking divine blessings for the peace of the departed soul, peace and progress of the country and welfare of countrymen.

Khaleda also took part in a milad mahfil on the mazaar premises. She later drove around the capital dropping in at 17 city points where party units arranged milad mahfil and food and clothes distribution programme to poor and destitute people.

Party Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Deve-lopment and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Works Minister Mirza Abbas, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman, city BNP President and Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadeq Hossan Khoka and Harris Chowdhury, Khaleda's political secretary, accompanied her during the day-long programme.

A group of army personnel assassinated Zia at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981, five years after he assumed state power amid political turmoil in the country.