Khaleda to be laid to rest beside Zia; Janaza at Parliament’s South Plaza

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon.

“We, the Standing Committee, have decided that her Janaza will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:00 pm at the field of the South Plaza of the Parliament House and across the entire area of Manik Mia Avenue,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Tuesday, he also said the Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque will lead the Janaza.

Fakhrul said BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will conduct the Janaza proceedings.

Following the Janaza, he said, Khaleda Zia will be buried beside the grave of Ziaur Rahman, a legendary leader, Bangladesh’s proclaimer of independence, and introducer of multi-party democracy, popularly known as ‘Rokhal Raja’.

Fakhrul urged all those intending to join the janaza to maintain strict discipline during the janaza and burial, requesting that no one disrupt the ceremony or move forward for photographs, and emphasised the importance of showing respect and preserving the solemnity of the occasion.

He also called for prayers to the Almighty Allah for Khaleda Zia’s soul, seeking that she be granted a place in Jannah.

The BNP leader also urged all to pray that Allah gives the Zia family, especially her eldest son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the strength to fulfill the responsibilities for the country and bear this grief.

Fakhrul said the government has already declared three days of mourning, with tomorrow announced as a holiday. “You also know that the Prime Adviser has spoken to the nation, and we thank the government for their full cooperation.”

Khaleda Zia to be buried beside Ziaur Rahman

Besides, he said, BNP has declared seven days of mourning. “During these seven days, we will wear black badges and raise black flags. Prayers and Quran recitations will be held at all party offices.”

Earlier, the BNP Standing Committee held a meeting at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

After being under medical treatment for over a month, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away at Evercare Hospital at 6 am on Tuesday.