The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to forgo its traditional cake-cutting ceremony while celebrating the 81st birthday of party chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the occasion will instead be observed with special prayer gatherings nationwide on Friday.

According to Rizvi, the prayers will take place at BNP offices and mosques across the country, focusing on the well-being of the party chief.