The body of Khaleda Zia has arrived at the South Plaza of the Parliament

The body of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, arrived at the South Plaza of the National Parliament amid strict security measures on Wednesday, 31 December. She was transported in a red-and-green draped refrigerated van, honouring the national flag, with the army forming a human chain to ensure the dignified transfer under full state protocol.

The van carrying Khaleda Zia reached the South Plaza at 11:48 am. Earlier, at 11:05 am, the journey commenced from her son Tarique Rahman’s residence at 196 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka. Prior to this, at 8:54 am, her body was moved from Evercare Hospital in the capital to Gulshan. Initially, plans had been made to take her to her long-term residence, Feroza, but this was later changed to her son’s home, where family members and BNP leaders paid their final respects until 11:05 am.

Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers will be held at Manik Mia Avenue after the Zuhr prayer on Wednesday. The prayers will be led by Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram. All preparations for the state funeral have been completed. Following the prayers, she will be laid to rest beside her late husband, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman.

Several international dignitaries from countries including India, Pakistan, and other nations in South and Southeast Asia are arriving in Dhaka to pay their respects to the BNP Chairperson.

Security arrangements have been heightened across the capital to ensure the funeral proceeds smoothly. Twenty-seven platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh have been deployed at Manik Mia Avenue and other key locations to maintain tight security.

The former Prime Minister passed away at 6:00 am on Tuesday, 30 December, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. In mourning, the government has declared three days of national grief from Wednesday to Friday (31 December to 2 January) and announced a public holiday across the country on Wednesday.

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The solemn proceedings mark the end of a political era, with thousands expected to attend, reflecting the significant impact of Khaleda Zia’s decades-long contribution to Bangladesh’s political landscape.