Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 31 (ANI): The physique of former Bangladesh prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia reached her Gulshan residence, Firoza, on Wednesday, the place relations and shut relations paid their final respects forward of her Namaz-e-Janaza.
In a submit on X, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated, ‘The physique of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia arrived at Firoza in Gulshan, the place relations and relations paid their final respects to her forward of her Namaz-e-Janaza.’
At the residence, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was seen seated quietly with a prayer e book in his arms, surrounded by relations, as he paid his closing respects to his mom in a second marked by solemn grief.
The funeral prayer for the previous prime minister will likely be held at 2 pm at the moment on Manik Mia Avenue on the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building. Large crowds have gathered on the venue to take part within the Namaz-e-Janaza, with tens of millions of mourners reported to be current.
Chief Adviser of the interim authorities Muhammad Yunus, together with different dignitaries, is predicted to attend the funeral prayer. Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will likely be laid to relaxation beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Before the burial, senior representatives from a number of South Asian nations, together with India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are anticipated to pay their final respects. These delegations embrace overseas ministers and different high-level officers.
Bangladesh is observing a public vacation and has entered a three-day interval of state mourning as a sea of mourners gathers in Dhaka, marking a second of nationwide remembrance following the loss of life of one of many nation’s most influential political figures.
The funeral has additionally drawn regional consideration, with India confirming official participation within the final rites. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will signify India on the funeral, in accordance with an announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
‘The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will signify the Government and folks of India on the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,’ the assertion stated.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first girl prime minister, died on Tuesday on the age of 80 after a protracted sickness. A dominant determine in nationwide politics for many years, she led Bangladesh for 3 phrases and performed a key function in restoring democracy following years of navy rule.
As preparations for the ultimate rites continued, BNP leaders stated the funeral prayer will likely be led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, whereas BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will conduct the proceedings.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, as quoted by The Daily Star, urged attendees to keep up self-discipline, keep away from speeding ahead or taking pictures, and protect the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony.
He additionally appealed to the general public to hope for energy for the Zia household, notably Khaleda Zia’s eldest and solely surviving son and BNP appearing chairman Tarique Rahman, to bear the loss and proceed his tasks in the direction of the nation.
Earlier within the day, the BNP Standing Committee met on the social gathering chairperson’s Gulshan workplace, with the assembly chaired by Tarique Rahman.
Alongside party-level preparations, the federal government introduced that Khaleda Zia’s closing journey could be carried out with full state honours. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated the method, from transporting her physique from Evercare Hospital to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, adopted by the funeral prayer and burial, would happen beneath heightened safety.
More than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel have been deployed, with military members stationed at key factors, The Daily Star reported.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police outlined the convoy route, stating that the physique could be transported from Evercare Hospital by way of the 36 July Expressway, Kuril flyover, the Naval Headquarters space, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Airport Road, Mohakhali flyover, Jahangir Gate and Bijoy Sarani earlier than coming into the South Plaza by means of Gate No-6. Vehicular motion alongside affected roads will stay restricted, and the general public has been requested to cooperate with regulation enforcement companies.
In parallel with the funeral preparations, the federal government has declared a three-day state mourning beginning at the moment. In a televised tackle on Tuesday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus introduced a public vacation for December 31, adopted by a gazette notification issued by the general public administration ministry.
According to the notification, all authorities, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and personal workplaces will stay closed at the moment, whereas emergency and important providers, together with electrical energy, water, gasoline, hearth providers, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal providers and healthcare, will proceed to function. Hospitals, emergency medical workers and autos carrying medical gear and medicines have additionally been exempted.
Following the choice, the Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bank issued separate notifications declaring a public vacation. In one other gazette notification, the cupboard division formally introduced a three-day nationwide mourning, which can conclude on Friday, The Daily Star stated.
Alongside the state observances, the BNP introduced a seven-day mourning interval. Senior joint secretary basic Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated black flags will likely be hoisted in any respect social gathering workplaces nationwide, social gathering leaders and activists will put on black badges, and prayers will likely be held at each BNP workplace.
Condolence books have been opened at BNP workplaces, together with Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, the social gathering’s Nayapaltan central workplace and district-level workplaces, permitting political leaders and well-wishers to document tribute messages for the previous prime minister.
As condolences continued to pour in, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s loss of life, extending condolences to her household and the individuals of Bangladesh. In a submit on X, PM Modi stated he was ‘deeply saddened’ by her passing and recalled his ‘heat assembly’ along with her in Dhaka in 2015, including that he hoped her imaginative and prescient and legacy would proceed to information bilateral ties.
Tributes additionally got here from the world over, together with from the prime ministers of Pakistan and Nepal, as main diplomatic missions and worldwide organisations issued condolence messages acknowledging Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh’s political and democratic growth.
The United Nations expressed its deepest sympathies to Khaleda Zia’s household and reaffirmed solidarity with the federal government and folks of Bangladesh, whereas the European Union additionally conveyed its condolences. The US Embassy in Dhaka stated she performed a pivotal function in shaping the nation’s fashionable historical past, whereas Russia stated it will bear in mind her for sustaining cordial bilateral relations throughout her three tenures as prime minister.
China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi despatched condolence messages to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen conveyed condolences to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, noting that the Chinese individuals would bear in mind her with deep respect.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Khaleda Zia as a dedicated buddy of Pakistan, with President Asif Ali Zardari additionally extending condolences. Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and a number of other different nations echoed related sentiments, recognising her enduring affect on Bangladesh’s political panorama.
Diplomatic missions together with the British High Commission, in addition to the German, French, Japanese and Iranian embassies, additionally issued statements mourning her passing. Australia stated its ideas have been with the individuals of Bangladesh as they mourn the previous prime minister. (ANI)