Khaleda Zia’s funeral: Thousands gather in Dhaka to pay last respects — live updates
Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, a pivotal political figure, with a public holiday and three days of state mourning. Thousands gathered for her funeral in Dhaka, attended by regional leaders including India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Her death marks the end of an era for the influential BNP chairperson.
Begum Khalida Zia, the former and first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was laid to eternal rest with full state honours at Zia Udyan in Dhaka. Her final rites were held in the presence of senior political leaders, party workers, state officials, and thousands of mourners who gathered to pay their last respects.She was buried beside the grave of her husband, martyred president Ziaur Rahman, marking a deeply symbolic moment in the nation’s political history. The solemn ceremony reflected her stature as a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics, with ceremonial tributes accorded by the state and prayers offered for her soul.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a two-time head of government, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.
Her death has triggered nationwide mourning, political tributes across party lines and international reactions, reflecting upon her central role in Bangladesh’s modern political journey.
Jaishankar To Attend Khaleda Zia's Funeral In Dhaka Amid Strained India-Bangladesh Ties
Her Namaz-e-Janaza is taking place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (national parliament) in Dhaka, after which she will be buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The gathering of people continues to fill Manik Mia Avenue to pay their final respects to former PM.
The gathering to attend her namaz-e-janaza began around 7.00 am (local time), with BNP leaders and activists arriving from different parts of Dhaka and other districts, including Feni, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Narayanganj, to pay their final respects, reported The Daily SatrMourners swarming the funeral have brought the entire Dhaka city to a standstill.
Chief advisor of Bangladesh interim government Muhammad Yunus reached parliament complex to join Khaleda Zia's janaza.
Global leaders including Jaishankar to attend last rites
The funeral has drawn significant regional attention, inlcuding India's participation. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday landed in Dhaka to represent India at the ceremony.
He met Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rehman and handed over a condolence letter from PM Modi, expressing grief over the loss.
“The external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the MEA said in a statement on Tuesday.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to pay their last respects.