In a significant diplomatic gesture, high-level delegations from both India and Pakistan are set to arrive in Dhaka on December 31, 2025, to pay their final respects to Begum Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The state funeral for the iconic leader, who passed away on the morning of December 30 at the age of 80, will see a gathering of regional leaders amidst a period of political transition in Bangladesh.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the government and people of India. His visit is seen as a vital diplomatic outreach following the political shifts in Dhaka over the past year.
Pakistan is sending a high-powered delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.3 Dar expressed deep condolences, noting Zia’s role in strengthening South Asian ties.
Namaz-e-Janaza: Scheduled for 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 31, at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament) and Manik Mia Avenue.
Burial: She will be laid to rest with state honors at 3:30 PM at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, beside the grave of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has declared three days of state mourning and a general holiday on Wednesday. The national flag will fly at half-mast across all government buildings and missions abroad.
Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, died at Evercare Hospital after battling multiple chronic ailments. Her death comes just as her son, Tarique Rahman, recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile to lead the BNP.
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