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Bangladesh Mourns: Khaleda Zia's Death Sparks Emergency BNP Meet, State Mourning

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party held an emergency meeting following the death of its chairperson and former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, at age 80. The BNP has declared a seven-day mourning period with black flags at party offices nationwide. The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, announced a three-day state mourning and a public holiday. Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, in Dhaka.

Key Points: Khaleda Zia Dies: BNP Emergency Meet, State Mourning Declared

  • Emergency BNP meeting
  • 7-day party mourning declared
  • 3-day state mourning announced
  • Funeral beside husband Ziaur Rahman
3 min read

Khaleda Zia's death: BNP holds emergency meet, Yunus announces 3-day mourning

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies at 80. BNP holds emergency meeting, declares 7-day mourning. Interim govt announces 3-day state mourning.

"I humbly appeal to everyone to maintain discipline in all forms of mourning... - Muhammad Yunus, Interim Govt Chief Advisor"

Dhaka, Dec 30

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party Standing Committee held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to determine the party's next course of action following the death of its chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, local media reported.

The meeting presided over by Khaleda Zia's son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman commenced on Tuesday afternoon at the chairperson's Gulshan office in Dhaka.

Several party members, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, attended the meeting, Bangladeshi leading daily Dhaka Tribune reported.

Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness at the age of 80, her party confirmed.

According to a statement issued by the BNP, she died at around 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been undergoing treatment for over a month.

The BNP declared a seven-day mourning programme to mark the passing of Khaleda Zia.

The program announced by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stipulates that starting Tuesday, black flags will be hoisted at all party offices nationwide for a week, with party leaders and activists wearing black badges throughout the period.

Reports suggest that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, during a special meeting of the Bangladesh interim government's Council of Advisors, informed that Khaleda Zia's funeral ceremony will be held on Wednesday in Dhaka.

He said she will be laid to rest beside her husband and former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman.

The interim government on Tuesday also announced a three-day state mourning and general holiday on Wednesday to mark Khaleda Zia's death.

The announcement was made by the interim government's Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday.

"I humbly appeal to everyone to maintain discipline in all forms of mourning, including the Namaz-e-Janaza. I know that you are all very emotional at this time. I hope that you will show patience in this time of mourning and cooperate with all those involved in carrying out all the formalities, including her funeral," Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoted Yunus as saying.

Khaleda had been admitted to the private hospital in Dhaka on November 23 after developing serious complications related to her heart and lungs, and remained under close medical supervision before passing away on Tuesday.

She is survived by her elder son, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
A very sad day for our neighbors. Regardless of political differences, she served her nation. The state mourning and holiday announced by Yunus is a fitting tribute. May her soul rest in peace.
R
Rohit P
Her legacy is complex, but you cannot deny her impact. The immediate challenge for BNP is succession. Tarique Rahman has big shoes to fill. Hope the political transition there remains peaceful for regional stability.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, as interim Chief Advisor, announcing the state mourning. It shows a unified national respect. Wishing strength to the people of Bangladesh during this time.
V
Vikram M
A towering figure has left us. Her journey from being the First Lady to the first woman PM of Bangladesh was remarkable. Her policies had a direct impact on India-Bangladesh relations too. A significant chapter closes.
K
Karthik V
With respect, her later years were mired in controversy and legal battles. While we mourn a life, we must also hope Bangladesh moves towards a politics less defined by these two powerful families (Hasina & Zia). The country deserves fresh leadership.
M
Meera T
Om Shanti. Laying her to rest beside her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, is poignant. 80 is a

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