BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honors beside the grave of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
She was buried at 4:42 pm on Wednesday (December 31), following her funeral prayers held with deep religious solemnity around 3:00 pm. The funeral prayer was led by Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram.
The funeral saw the presence of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubair Rahman Chowdhury, chiefs of the three armed forces, members of the Advisory Council, ambassadors and representatives from several countries, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman along with senior BNP leaders, and representatives of different political parties. Senior BNP leaders from Sylhet, including Khandaker Moktadir and Kayes Lodi, were also present.
Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue and adjacent areas, including Bijoy Sarani, Khamarbari, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Shahbagh, and Mohammadpur, were overwhelmed with people. Thousands stood wherever they could find space to join the funeral prayer.
Before the burial, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan delivered a brief speech reflecting on Khaleda Zia’s political life and contributions.
Later, speaking on behalf of the family, Tarique Rahman requested prayers for his late mother. He said, “If my mother owed anyone anything, please contact me— I will fulfill it. If anyone was ever hurt by her words or actions, I seek forgiveness on her behalf.”
Around 11:45 am, Begum Khaleda Zia’s body was taken to the South Plaza of the National Parliament under strict security arrangements. Her body, wrapped in the national flag, was transported in a freezer van as part of full state protocol. Members of the Bangladesh Army formed a human chain and escorted the procession with solemn dignity as her body was placed at the plaza.