Dhaka (TDI): Bangladesh bids farewell to former prime minister Khaleda Zia with full state honours on Wednesday, as massive crowds gathered in Dhaka to pay their last respects to one of the country’s most influential political figures.
Khaleda Zia, who made history as the first woman to lead the South Asian nation, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, where she remained a central figure for decades.
National flags were lowered to half-staff across the country, while tight security arrangements were put in place as her coffin, draped in the national flag, was transported through the capital. Thousands of mourners lined the streets, many standing silently behind barricades as the funeral procession moved forward.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who travelled to Dhaka to attend the funeral, visited Khaleda Zia’s residence and met her children. According to an official statement, he conveyed condolences on behalf of Pakistan’s leadership and people.
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“In this moment of sorrow, Pakistan stands with the people of Bangladesh,” Sadiq said, expressing solidarity with the bereaved family. He also held meetings with Bangladesh’s national security adviser and the adviser for law and parliamentary affairs, discussing bilateral matters of shared interest.
Despite prolonged illness and years spent in detention, Khaleda Zia had remained politically active and was preparing to contest the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 12. The polls will be the first since last year’s mass protests that led to the removal of her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina.
Her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is widely considered a leading contender. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who recently returned from exile after 17 years, is viewed as a possible future prime minister should the BNP secure a majority.
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The interim administration, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, announced three days of national mourning and organized the state funeral. Large crowds assembled near parliament, waving national and party flags as funeral prayers were scheduled to begin in the afternoon.
Yunus described Khaleda Zia as “a guardian of the nation,” acknowledging her lasting contribution to Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
