Khaleda Zia’s Funeral Held With State Honours
Bangladesh on Wednesday held the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia amid nationwide mourning. Khaleda Zia, who served twice as Prime Minister and was the country’s first woman to hold the office, died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. The government announced state mourning to mark her death, with flags flown at half-mast across the country.
Funeral Prayers in Dhaka
The main funeral prayers were held in Dhaka, where a large number of political leaders, party workers, supporters and members of the public gathered to pay their last respects. Her coffin was placed at a prominent public location to allow people to attend the prayers. Security arrangements were tightened across the capital due to the large turnout.
Burial Beside Ziaur Rahman
After the prayers, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, in Dhaka. The burial was conducted with full state honours. Senior government officials, leaders from various political parties and representatives of foreign missions attended the ceremony.
Political Legacy
Khaleda Zia was a central figure in Bangladesh’s politics for decades and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Her political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined much of the country’s political landscape over the past thirty years. Supporters described her as a strong leader, while critics often pointed to the intense political polarisation during her tenure.
National and International Condolences
Condolence messages poured in from across Bangladesh and abroad, with leaders acknowledging her role in shaping the country’s modern political history.
