DHAKA: BNP-led 20-party alliance on Tuesday announced that it has extended the ongoing 72-hour hartal till 6:00am Friday (March 20).

BNP joint secretary general Barkat Ullah Bulu made the announcement issuing a press statement in the afternoon.

Began on Sunday 6:00am, the nationwide shutdown was set to end on Wednesday6:00am, coupled with a nationwide road-rail-waterway blockade for indefinite period.

Earlier on March 14, the alliance, through a statement, called the shutdown demanding the release of another BNP joint secretary general Salauddin Ahmed

The nation is witnessing the seventh spell of shutdowns, sponsored by the alliance, as the country went through series of hartals for the previous six weeks, which were followed by a two-day break during the weekends only.

BDST: 1702 HRS, MAR 17, 2015