Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka to pay their last respects to former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Multiple officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their participation in the funeral ceremony.

According to the ministry, the funeral prayer for Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday after the Zuhr prayer at 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue. Following the prayer, her burial will take place. The attendance of foreign dignitaries underscores regional acknowledgment of her political legacy.

The ministry’s confirmation of high-level foreign participation highlights the diplomatic significance of the event, as neighboring countries send representatives to honor the late leader.

The Ministry of Public Administration has declared Wednesday, December 31, a one-day public holiday across Bangladesh following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The announcement, issued Tuesday and signed by Assistant Secretary A.B.M. Abu Bakar Siddique, states that all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed during the holiday.

According to the official notification, essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telephone and internet, postal services, and related transport and personnel will remain outside the purview of the holiday. Hospitals, emergency services, doctors, and medical staff, as well as vehicles carrying medicines and medical supplies, are also exempted. Offices engaged in urgent work will remain open.

The circular further notes that Bangladesh Bank and the Supreme Court will issue separate instructions regarding banking and court operations for the day.

The interim government of Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. As a result, the inauguration ceremony of the 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair has been rescheduled. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) announced the change in a press release signed by Deputy Director Md. Rafiqul Islam on Tuesday evening.

According to the EPB statement, the government decided to observe national mourning from Wednesday to Friday, corresponding to December 31, January 1, and January 2. Consequently, the trade fair’s opening, originally planned for January 1, will now take place on Saturday, January 3. The announcement followed an address to the nation by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus earlier on Tuesday morning, in which he declared the mourning period.

Foreign dignitaries, including the Speaker of Pakistan’s Parliament and the foreign ministers of Nepal and Sri Lanka, are expected to visit Dhaka to pay their respects to Khaleda Zia.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s death has drawn widespread condolences from world leaders, foreign governments, and international organizations. On Tuesday, December 30, the United States, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, the European Union, the United Nations, and BIMSTEC all issued messages of sympathy and solidarity with Bangladesh.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka acknowledged Zia’s role in shaping modern Bangladesh, while Russia recalled her efforts to maintain friendly ties. China’s ambassador praised her leadership and pledged continued friendship with the BNP. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered her as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a key figure in India-Bangladesh relations. Pakistan’s leaders described her as a lifelong friend of their country, and European and Asian envoys highlighted her contributions to bilateral cooperation and national development.

The UN and regional body BIMSTEC reaffirmed their solidarity with Bangladesh during this period of mourning. Several foreign dignitaries, including ministers from Nepal and Sri Lanka, are expected to visit Dhaka to pay their respects.

Shafiqul Islam, known as a participant in the July phase of the 2024 student and public uprising in Bangladesh, has passed away after being under medical treatment for about one and a half years. He had been shot during the uprising and succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. The news of his death was shared by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir president Nurul Islam Saddam through a verified Facebook post on Tuesday night.

According to the post, Shafiqul Islam, who was injured in Haluaghat during the 2024 uprising, had been receiving treatment for his gunshot wounds for nearly eighteen months. Saddam expressed prayers for him, referring to him as a martyr. The report did not provide further details about the circumstances of his injury or the location of his death.

The passing of Shafiqul Islam marks another casualty linked to the 2024 student and public movement, which saw widespread participation and incidents of violence across parts of Bangladesh.

Preparations for the burial of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia reached their final stage on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025. Grave digging began at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, following her funeral prayer on Wednesday.

Crowds of party leaders, activists, and members of the public gathered at the site from the afternoon. Workers carefully prepared the designated area for the burial, while the BNP announced that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth and orderly process. Law enforcement agencies also strengthened security in the area.

Earlier that morning, at 6 a.m., Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and various political parties and leaders expressed deep sorrow over her death.

The Office of the Chief Adviser has issued specific instructions for those wishing to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. According to the announcement, the funeral prayer will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the National Parliament grounds and Manik Mia Avenue. She will then be buried with state honors beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 3:30 p.m. Attendees are prohibited from carrying bags or heavy items during the funeral.

The burial will be conducted as a state event, and public access to the burial site will not be permitted. Khaleda Zia, who led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for 41 years, was declared dead at 6 a.m. on Tuesday after 40 days of treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The interim government has declared three days of national mourning and a public holiday on the day of her funeral.

Law enforcement agencies are expected to deploy more than 10,000 personnel to ensure security during the funeral proceedings.

Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time former Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away while undergoing treatment. Following her death, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Interim Government for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways, expressed deep sorrow and condolences.

In his condolence message, Adviser Faozul Kabir Khan described Begum Khaleda Zia as a shining star in Bangladesh’s political history and a symbol of uncompromising struggle. He said that as the country’s first female Prime Minister, her strong leadership in restoring democracy and building the state will be remembered with gratitude by the nation.

The Adviser prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to her bereaved family, party members, and countless admirers.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said that BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was uncompromising on issues of the country’s sovereignty. He made the remark on Tuesday morning in a post on his verified Facebook page, following her death. Nahid described her as a courageous leader in the anti-autocracy movement whose leadership guided the people in achieving democratic rights.

In his post, Nahid highlighted Khaleda Zia’s significant role in establishing the parliamentary system and restoring a democratic environment in Bangladesh after the 1990 mass uprising. He noted that throughout her long political career, she endured imprisonment and many challenges but remained steadfast in her political ideals and commitment to the people’s rights.

Nahid added that Khaleda Zia’s contributions to the struggle for democracy and her lifelong dedication to the nation’s welfare would remain an inspiration for future generations. He expressed prayers for her departed soul and extended condolences to her bereaved family and followers.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain have expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message sent to the media on Tuesday, December 30, they described her as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, a pioneer of the anti-autocracy movement, and an uncompromising leader.

The NCP leaders stated that Khaleda Zia’s political career was marked by her steadfast leadership in defending democracy and opposing autocracy. They highlighted her significant role in restoring the parliamentary system and democratic environment after the 1990 mass uprising. Despite imprisonment, repression, and conspiracies, she never compromised her ideals, national sovereignty, or the people’s rights.

They added that Khaleda Zia’s lifelong struggle serves as an enduring inspiration for commitment to democracy and national responsibility. The NCP prayed for the salvation of her soul and extended condolences to her bereaved family, followers, and the people of Bangladesh.

Dhaka University authorities have announced a three-day suspension of all classes and examinations starting Tuesday to observe mourning for the death of Khaleda Zia. The decision was conveyed in a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the statement, the university’s decision aligns with the government’s declaration of three days of national mourning for the late leader. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on campus. Special prayers will be held for the peace of Khaleda Zia’s soul at the central mosque of Dhaka University, as well as in all halls, hostels, and residential area mosques and other places of worship.

The university administration also announced that transportation will be arranged on Wednesday to facilitate the participation of teachers, students, officers, and employees in Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers.

The Junior Scholarship Examination for eighth-grade students, scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, has been postponed due to the government’s declaration of three days of state mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The rescheduled exam will now take place on Monday, January 5, 2026, according to a notice signed by Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar, Controller of Examinations of the Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Education.

The government declared December 31 a public holiday as part of the mourning period, which will continue until January 2. During this time, national flags will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and educational institutions, as well as at Bangladesh’s missions abroad. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment.

The postponement ensures that the national mourning period is observed across all institutions, with the Junior Scholarship Examination to proceed as per the revised schedule.

The Iranian Embassy in Bangladesh has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message sent to the media on Tuesday, December 30, the embassy conveyed Iran’s sympathy to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as to the BNP leadership and members.

The statement described Begum Khaleda Zia as a distinguished national leader who played a significant role in Bangladesh’s political history. It noted her contributions to democratic governance and public life, and recalled that during her tenure as prime minister, Bangladesh and the Islamic Republic of Iran maintained constructive and friendly relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.

The embassy extended its heartfelt condolences to her family, particularly her son Tarique Rahman, and to her colleagues and supporters, praying for peace for her departed soul.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message sent to the media on Tuesday, the organization’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman conveyed their grief and prayed for the forgiveness of her soul. They also extended sympathy to her bereaved family.

The Hefazat leaders described Begum Zia as a courageous, patriotic Bangladeshi Muslim woman who supported Islamic values and national sovereignty. They recalled her 2013 stance against the Shahbagh movement, which she termed “atheists’ square,” and her open support for Hefazat’s May 5 Dhaka blockade. According to the statement, her uncompromising political role inspired the people and made her a respected national figure before her death.

The statement further said that Khaleda Zia’s long struggle against Indian dominance and the “fascist Hasina government” would remain a memorable chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. Hefazat expressed hope that the current BNP would continue her ideals of sovereignty and anti-hegemony politics.

China has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. On Wednesday morning, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen sent a condolence message to BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The message stated that the Chinese people would always remember Khaleda Zia’s contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China.

The message further noted that in Khaleda Zia’s absence, the Communist Party of China is interested in continuing the positive trend of Bangladesh-China relations through cooperation with her elder son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. China also extended heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

The condolence message highlights China’s recognition of Khaleda Zia’s role in fostering bilateral ties and signals Beijing’s intention to maintain close engagement with the BNP leadership in the future.