The interim government has declared three days of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In conjunction with this announcement, a general holiday has been declared for Wednesday, 31 December. This information was shared today (Tuesday, 30 December) at the Secretariat by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the period of national mourning will extend from 31 December to 2 January. During this time, the government and public institutions will observe appropriate commemorative protocols. The decision was formally adopted in a meeting of the Advisory Council, where a mourning proposal was passed.
Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer (Janazah) will take place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, and she will subsequently be laid to rest with state honours beside the grave of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier today, at 6:00 am, Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment for a range of long-standing health complications. Her personal physician and BNP National Standing Committee member, Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, confirmed her passing. At the time of her death, she was 80 years old.
Family members present at the hospital included her eldest son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman, granddaughter Zaima Rahman, the wife of her younger son Sharmili Rahman Sithi, her younger brother Shamim Eskander and his wife, and her elder sister Selina Islam, among others. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and doctors from the medical board that oversaw her treatment were also in attendance.
Begum Khaleda Zia had suffered for several years from multiple chronic illnesses, including long-term kidney complications, severe liver disease, abnormal haemoglobin levels, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other age-related ailments.
Health Complications of Begum Khaleda Zia
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Kidney Complications | Chronic kidney disease requiring long-term medical supervision |
| Liver Disease | Complications affecting liver function over an extended period |
| Haemoglobin Abnormality | Abnormal blood counts contributing to frailty |
| Diabetes | Long-standing Type 2 diabetes affecting overall health |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Chronic autoimmune disorder causing joint pain |
| Age-Related Conditions | Multiple co-morbidities associated with advanced age |
The government has called upon citizens and institutions to observe the period of mourning with solemnity and respect, reflecting on the significant political contributions of Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister.