Khaleda Zia’s funeral: Thousands gather in Dhaka to pay last respects — live updates

Thousands of mourners gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday for the funeral of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia, one of the most influential political figures in the country’s history.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a two-time head of government, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Her death has triggered nationwide mourning, political tributes across party lines and international reactions, reflecting upon her central role in Bangladesh’s modern political journey.

Her Namaz-e-Janaza is taking place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (national parliament) in Dhaka, after which she will be buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.The gathering of people continues to fill Manik Mia Avenue to pay their final respects to former PM.The gathering to attend her namaz-e-janaza began around 7.00 am (local time), with BNP leaders and activists arriving from different parts of Dhaka and other districts, including Feni, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Narayanganj, to pay their final respects, reported The Daily SatrMourners swarming the funeral have brought the entire Dhaka city to a standstill.

The funeral has drawn significant regional attention, inlcuding India's participation. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday landed in Dhaka to represent India at the ceremony.

He met Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rehman and handed over a condolence letter from PM Modi, expressing grief over the loss.

“The external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the MEA said in a statement on Tuesday.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to pay their last respects. Delegations include foreign ministers and other high-level officials.

Earlier in the day, Khaleda Zia’s body was brought to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, where family members and close relatives paid their final respects ahead of the funeral prayer.

In a post on X, Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said, “The body of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia arrived at Firoza in Gulshan, where family members and relatives paid their last respects to her ahead of her Namaz-e-Janaza.”

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, her eldest and only surviving son, was seen seated quietly with a prayer book in his hands, surrounded by family members.

The interim government announced that Khaleda Zia’s final journey would be conducted with full state honours.

Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said the process - from transporting the body from Evercare Hospital to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, followed by the funeral prayer and burial - would take place under heightened security.More than 10,000 police and armed police battalion personnel have been deployed, with army members stationed at key locations, according to The Daily Star.The Dhaka metropolitan police outlined a detailed convoy route, with vehicular movement restricted along key roads during the procession.

The public has been urged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Yunus announced a public holiday for December 31, followed by a gazette notification issued by the public administration ministry. All government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices remain closed, while essential services continue.A separate gazette notification announced a three-day national mourning period, which will conclude on Friday.

The Supreme Court and Bangladesh bank also declared a public holiday.Alongside the state observances, the BNP announced a seven-day mourning period. Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said black flags would be hoisted at party offices nationwide, with leaders and workers wearing black badges and holding prayers. Condolence books have been opened at BNP offices across the country.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, quoted by The Daily Star, urged mourners to maintain order at the funeral.He asked attendees to avoid rushing forward or taking photographs and appealed for prayers for the Zia family, particularly Tarique Rahman, to “bear the loss and continue his responsibilities towards the country”.

Leaders across the globe continue to pay their condolences. PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death. In a post on X, he said he was “deeply saddened” and recalled his “warm meeting” with her in Dhaka in 2015, adding that he hoped her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral ties.Condolence messages were also received from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, China, Russia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and several other countries. Diplomatic missions including the British High Commission and the German, French, Japanese and Iranian embassies issued statements mourning her passing.

Khaleda Zia emerged as a central figure in Bangladesh politics following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman. She led the country for two terms and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule, remaining a dominant political force for decades, and was an archrival of now ousted PM Sheikh Hasina.