Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 31 (ANI): Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia shall be laid to relaxation later right now beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar within the capital, with India confirming official participation in her funeral.
India shall be represented on the funeral by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in accordance with a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs. ‘The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will symbolize 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 lady prime minister, died on Tuesday on the age of 80 after a chronic sickness. A central determine within the nation’s politics for many years, she performed a key position in restoring democracy after years of army rule and led Bangladesh for 3 phrases.
Her namaz-e-janaza shall be held on the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, after which she shall be buried beside Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
As preparations for the ultimate rites continued, BNP leaders stated the funeral prayer shall 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 these attending to take care of self-discipline, chorus from dashing ahead or taking images, and make sure that the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony are preserved.
He additionally appealed to the general public to wish for energy for the Zia household, significantly Khaleda Zia’s eldest and solely surviving son and BNP performing chairman Tarique Rahman, to bear the loss and proceed his obligations in direction of the nation.
Earlier within the day, the BNP Standing Committee met on the occasion 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 shall be performed 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, will happen below heightened safety. More than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel shall be deployed, with military members stationed at key factors, The Daily Star reported.
To handle the motion, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police outlined the convoy route, stating that the physique shall be transported from Evercare Hospital by way of the 36 July Expressway, Kuril flyover, Naval Headquarters space, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Airport Road, Mohakhali flyover, Jahangir Gate and Bijoy Sarani earlier than getting into the South Plaza via Gate No-6.
Vehicular motion alongside affected roads will stay restricted in the course of the convoy’s passage, and members of the general public have been requested to cooperate with regulation enforcement companies.
In parallel with funeral preparations, the federal government has declared a three-day state mourning beginning right now.
In a televised deal with 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. The determination was taken at a particular advisory council assembly attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the authorities’s invitation.
According to the notification, all authorities, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and personal places of work will stay closed right now. However, emergency and important services–including electrical energy, water, gasoline, hearth companies, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal companies and healthcare–will stay operational.
Hospitals, emergency medical workers and automobiles carrying medical tools and medicines have additionally been exempted from the vacation.
Following the federal government’s determination, 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 normal Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated black flags shall be hoisted in any respect occasion places of work nationwide. Party leaders and activists will put on black badges, and prayers shall be held at each BNP workplace.
Condolence books have been opened at BNP places of work, together with Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, the occasion’s Nayapaltan central workplace and district-level places of work, permitting political leaders and well-wishers to report tribute messages for the previous prime minister.
As condolences continued to pour in, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s dying, extending condolences to her household and the individuals of Bangladesh.
In a put up on X, Modi stated he was ‘deeply saddened’ by her passing and recalled his ‘heat assembly’ together with her in Dhaka in 2015, including that he hoped her imaginative and prescient and legacy would proceed to information bilateral ties.
Leaders from the world over additionally paid tribute, together with the prime ministers of Pakistan and Nepal, whereas main diplomatic missions and worldwide organisations issued condolence messages acknowledging her contributions to Bangladesh’s political and democratic improvement.
The United Nations expressed its deepest sympathies to Khaleda Zia’s household and reaffirmed solidarity with the federal government and folks of Bangladesh. The European Union additionally conveyed its condolences.
The US Embassy in Dhaka stated she performed a pivotal position in shaping the nation’s fashionable historical past, whereas Russia stated it might keep 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 keep in mind her with deep respect.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Khaleda Zia as a dedicated pal of Pakistan, with President Asif Ali Zardari additionally extending condolences.
Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and several other different international locations echoed comparable 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)