Dhaka - BNP on Thursday chalked out a 10-day day programme to celebrate the Independence Day on March 26.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of leaders of the party and its associate bodies.

As part of the programmes, Fakhrul Islam together with party leaders and activists will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum, Savar at 7am on the day.

Later, they will place wreaths at the mazar of late BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital to mark the day. A doa mahfil will be held there to be arranged by Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal.

Besides, the party will hoist national and party flags atop its all offices, including the central one, in the morning

BNP will also take steps to publish supplements in the national newspapers to celebrate the day.

The party will arrange a discussion on the day either at Mohanagar Natya Mancha or in front of its Nayapaltan central office on March 25.

On March 27, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the freedom fighters' wing of BNP, will organise a mass "gathering of freedom fighters" in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

BNP’s all district, upazila and municipality units across the country and the party’s all associate bodies will also mark the day with different programmes.

Speaking at the press conference, Fakhrul said the Independence is much more important this time as the country lacks democracy. “The Independence Day is now more relevant and it reminds us more of the Liberation War.”

He said their party will observe the day with due respect amid various programmes for 10 days and take a fresh vow for restoring democracy and protecting the independence of the country.

Fakhrul also demanded the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and other political prisoners before the Independence Day.