Former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who passed away earlier this week, will be laid to rest on Wednesday following a state-arranged funeral. The namaz-e-janaza is scheduled to take place after Zuhr prayers at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, adjacent to Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. She will be buried at Chandrima Udyan beside the grave of her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman — a location that carries symbolic significance for the BNP and many of her political followers.
The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon after a meeting of the government’s Advisory Council. Legal Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul briefed journalists, stating that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the session by special invitation. At the meeting, he conveyed the family’s decisions regarding funeral arrangements, burial preferences and public participation.
The session commenced with a one-minute silence in tribute to the late leader. Describing the nationwide response, Nazrul remarked that both government and citizens are united in grief. To honour her memory, the Council has approved three days of state mourning beginning Wednesday, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast. The government has also declared a public holiday for the day of the funeral to allow the public to attend and pay their respects.
He further confirmed that the administration will extend full logistical cooperation for the janaza and burial, ensuring security, public order, and facilities for mourners. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, recalling his last meeting with Khaleda Zia at Army Headquarters, described her passing as the loss of a “national guardian”. In his televised address to the nation earlier in the day, Professor Yunus said the former premier’s contributions to democratic politics “will remain etched in history”.
In keeping with the Council’s decisions, books of condolence will be opened at every Bangladeshi embassy and high commission across the world, allowing expatriates and foreign dignitaries to express their sympathy. Political leaders, dignitaries, party activists and the general public are expected to gather in large numbers at the funeral venue, marking the end of an era in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
At a Glance: Funeral & Mourning Arrangements
| Event/Decision | Details |
|---|---|
| Funeral (Janaza) | Wednesday, after Zuhr prayers |
| Venue | South Plaza area, National Parliament, Manik Mia Avenue |
| Burial Site | Beside Ziaur Rahman’s grave, Chandrima Udyan |
| Mourning Period | Three days of state mourning starting Wednesday |
| Public Holiday | Wednesday declared a national holiday |
| Global Mourning | Condolence books at all embassies & high commissions |
As the nation prepares to bid farewell, leaders across political divides have urged citizens to honour the moment with solemnity, patience and dignity. For many, Khaleda Zia’s passing not only marks the conclusion of a prominent political chapter, but also evokes memories of her long, often turbulent role in Bangladesh’s political evolution.