Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 31 (ANI): Bangladesh noticed a public vacation and entered a three-day interval of state mourning on Wednesday as a sea of mourners gathered in Dhaka for the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, marking a second of nationwide remembrance following the dying of one of many nation’s most influential political figures.
Khaleda Zia might be laid to relaxation later immediately beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar within the capital. The funeral has 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 lady prime minister, died on Tuesday on the age of 80 after a chronic sickness. A dominant determine in nationwide politics for many years, she led Bangladesh for 3 phrases and performed a key position in restoring democracy following years of navy rule.
Her namaz-e-janaza might be held on the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, after which she might be buried beside Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
As preparations for the ultimate rites continued, BNP leaders stated the funeral prayer might 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 dashing ahead or taking pictures, and protect the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony.
He additionally appealed to the general public to wish for power 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 obligations in the direction of the nation.
Earlier, 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 remaining journey might 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, will happen beneath heightened safety.
More than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel might be deployed, with military members stationed at key factors, The Daily Star reported.
To facilitate the motion, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police outlined the convoy route, stating that the physique might 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 getting into the South Plaza by way of Gate No-6.
Vehicular motion alongside affected roads will stay restricted in the course of the convoy’s passage, and the general public has been requested to cooperate with legislation enforcement businesses.
In parallel with the funeral preparations, the federal government has declared a three-day state mourning beginning immediately.
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.
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 immediately.
Emergency and important companies together with electrical energy, water, gasoline, hearth companies, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal companies and healthcare will proceed to function.
Hospitals, emergency medical employees and automobiles carrying medical gear and medicines have additionally been exempted.
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 basic Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated black flags might be hoisted in any respect occasion places of work nationwide.
Party leaders and activists will put on black badges, and prayers might 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 file 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 dying, extending condolences to her household and the individuals of Bangladesh.
In a put up 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 internationally, 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 improvement.
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 position in shaping the nation’s fashionable historical past, and 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 buddy of Pakistan, with President Asif Ali Zardari additionally extending condolences.
Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and several 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 had been with the individuals of Bangladesh as they mourn the previous prime minister. (ANI)