The guests stand in silence while artistes sing the national anthem at a function at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel marking Prothom Alo's 11th founding anniversary yesterday. Photo: courtesy

Prothom Alo, the county's largest circulated Bangla daily, observed its 11th founding anniversary yesterday.

Matiur Rahman, editor and publisher of the daily, thanked the readers and well-wishers for their support and trust in the newspaper.

“We have to face threats from the authorities and wealthy people because of our objective and independent journalism. But Prothom Alo will not give in to any threat,” Matiur Rahman said at a function organised on the occasion at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

He said they would always take a strong stance to uphold democracy, the spirit of the liberation war, human rights, rule of law and the country's economic development.

Speaker Abdul Hamid and a number of ministers including Syed Ashraful Islam, Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid and Abul Kalam Azad, and The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam were present.

Mediastar Ltd and Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman spoke at the function.

Political leaders, civil society members, educationists, journalists, litterateurs, businessmen, officials, diplomats and cultural activists were also present.