The coffin of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has reached Manik Mia Avenue, where her namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2:00pm with thousands of people expected to attend.
The coffin, carried in a freezer van wrapped in the red and green national flag, arrived at the venue at around 11:50am. The vehicle left the Gulshan Avenue residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman, at about 11:02am under tight security.
Strong security measures have been put in place in and around Manik Mia Avenue to maintain law and order. Members of the army, police, RAB, BGB and other law-enforcement agencies have been deployed as large crowds gathered at the area.
After the funeral prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. A grave has already been prepared next to Ziaur Rahman’s tomb.
Despite the cold weather, people from different parts of the country started arriving in the capital early in the morning to attend the janaza and pay their final respects. Crowds were also seen overnight at the National Parliament area, Evercare Hospital, the Gulshan office and Firoza.
Several foreign dignitaries, including representatives from India, Pakistan and other South and Southeast Asian countries, are expected to attend the funeral prayers.
Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, passed away at Evercare Hospital at around 6:00am on Tuesday, December 30, after receiving treatment for more than a month.
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