Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest later today beside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, as the country observes state mourning and international leaders continue to pay tribute.
India has confirmed official participation in the funeral, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attending on behalf of the Government and people of India.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, “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.”
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a towering political figure for decades, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 following a prolonged illness. She led the country for three terms and was instrumental in steering Bangladesh back to democratic governance after years of military rule.
According to the BNP, her namaz-e-janaza will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Following the funeral prayer, she will be buried beside Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Party leaders said the funeral prayer will be led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will oversee the proceedings. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, quoted by The Daily Star, appealed to mourners to maintain order and dignity during the ceremony, urging them to refrain from crowding or taking photographs.
He also requested prayers for Khaleda Zia’s family, particularly her eldest and only surviving son, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, asking for strength as he carries forward his responsibilities to the nation.
Earlier on Wednesday, the BNP Standing Committee met at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, with Tarique Rahman chairing the meeting to finalise funeral arrangements.
The Bangladesh government has announced that Khaleda Zia’s final journey will be conducted with full state honours. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said all arrangements, including the convoy route, have been coordinated with law enforcement agencies.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police outlined the procession route, stating that the body will be transported from Evercare Hospital via the 36 July Expressway, Kuril Flyover, Naval Headquarters area, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Airport Road, Mohakhali Flyover, Jahangir Gate and Bijoy Sarani before entering the South Plaza through Gate No. 6. Authorities have imposed temporary traffic restrictions along the route and urged public cooperation.
In parallel, the government has declared a three-day state mourning beginning today. In a televised address on Tuesday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced a public holiday on December 31, later formalised through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration.
Under the notification, all government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices will remain closed, while essential services—including electricity, water, gas, healthcare, fire services, ports, sanitation, telecommunications and postal services—will continue uninterrupted. Hospitals and emergency medical services have been exempted from the holiday.
Following the announcement, the Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bank issued separate notifications declaring a public holiday. The Cabinet Division also confirmed a three-day national mourning period ending Friday, The Daily Star reported.
The BNP, meanwhile, has announced a seven-day mourning period. Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said black flags will be flown at party offices nationwide, leaders and workers will wear black badges, and special prayers will be organised. Condolence books have been opened at BNP offices, including Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, the Nayapaltan central office, and district-level units.
Condolences have poured in from leaders across the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by Khaleda Zia’s passing and recalled his “warm meeting” with her in Dhaka in 2015, expressing hope that her vision would continue to guide India-Bangladesh relations.
Tributes were also paid by the prime ministers of Pakistan and Nepal, while the United Nations expressed its deepest sympathies to her family and reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh. The European Union conveyed condolences, acknowledging her contribution to democratic development.
The US Embassy in Dhaka described Khaleda Zia as a pivotal figure in shaping Bangladesh’s modern history, while Russia said she would be remembered for maintaining cordial bilateral relations during her tenures as prime minister.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent condolence messages to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen conveyed condolences to Tarique Rahman, stating that the Chinese people would remember Khaleda Zia with deep respect.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called her a committed friend of Pakistan, with President Asif Ali Zardari also extending condolences. Leaders and governments from Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and several other countries echoed similar sentiments.
Diplomatic missions, including the British High Commission and the German, French, Japanese and Iranian embassies, also issued statements mourning her passing. Australia said its thoughts were with the people of Bangladesh as they grieve the loss of the former prime minister.
