Large numbers of people gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Many arrived from districts across Bangladesh and were seen walking from Paltan toward Manik Mia Avenue, near the National Parliament, due to a shortage of available vehicles. The report described a continuous flow of people heading to the capital to pay their final respects.

The article noted that Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister and known opponent of Indian dominance, had endured imprisonment and hardship during what was described as 17 years of authoritarian rule. Her funeral drew people from various regions, including families with children, reflecting the public’s desire to bid farewell to the veteran political leader.

Social media was reported to be filled with photos and videos from the funeral, while parts of Dhaka, including the university metro station, were closed in the evening.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of July movement fighter Shafiqul Islam. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, he said that Shafiqul Islam passed away on December 30 while undergoing treatment. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and fellow fighters, praying for forgiveness and acceptance of the deceased as a martyr.

According to the report, Shafiqul Islam was injured during the July 2024 movement and had been under medical care since then. He died one and a half years after the movement. Dr. Rahman noted that many July fighters are still hospitalized and that their sacrifices remain unfinished. He described Shafiqul Islam as one of those whose dedication contributed to the making of a new Bangladesh.

The deceased hailed from Haluaghat in Mymensingh. The statement emphasized that the nation will remember the July fighters with respect for their sacrifices.

Pakistan’s Parliament Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday, December 31, to attend the funeral prayer of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. According to Pakistan High Commission Counsellor (Press) Md. Fasih Ullah Khan, the Speaker landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:45 a.m.

The funeral prayer for Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The prayer will be led by the Khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram. Following the funeral, she will be buried with state honors beside the grave of Shaheed Zia.

The visit of Pakistan’s Speaker underscores international attention to the state funeral of the veteran political leader, marking a moment of diplomatic presence at a significant national event.

Amar Desh’s residential editor Oliullah Noman assured residents of Chunarughat and Madhabpur that he would remain by their side in both happiness and sorrow. He made the remarks on Tuesday evening at a views-exchange meeting held at the Chunarughat Upazila office of Jamaat-e-Islami. Noman expressed gratitude for the support he received and said he hoped to contribute to the area’s development. The event turned emotional as the Upazila Ameer embraced Noman and wept, moving many in attendance.

Earlier, Noman had been announced as Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the Habiganj-4 constituency on December 1 after the district Ameer was withdrawn. Over the following 26 days, he campaigned extensively across unions with party leaders and supporters. However, in the interest of maintaining the political alliance, he ultimately refrained from submitting his nomination papers following a party decision.

Local leaders praised Noman’s tireless efforts and expressed their desire to continue working with him across the constituency’s villages and towns.

A red and green vehicle carrying the body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia arrived at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday. Her son Tarique Rahman accompanied the vehicle. The body left her residence at Gulshan 196 around 11 a.m. under tight security arrangements. The funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. at the same location.

Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23, with her condition described as extremely critical. Supporters and party members began gathering in the area from Tuesday night to pay their respects.

The event marks the final public farewell to the long-serving political leader, with large crowds expected to attend the funeral prayer at the Parliament premises.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, one of Bangladesh’s key river crossings, returned to normal after being suspended for nearly five hours due to dense fog. The suspension began around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday when heavy fog over the Padma River drastically reduced visibility, prompting authorities to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety reasons.

According to port sources, navigation became difficult as the fog obscured directions on the river, leading to the decision to stop operations to protect passengers and vehicles. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the river, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Once the fog lifted and visibility improved around 9:30 a.m., ferry and vessel services resumed under the supervision of the Daulatdia and Paturia terminal authorities.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that such disruptions are common during winter when dense fog frequently affects ferry movement, impacting travel and goods transport to the country’s southern regions.

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was taken from her son’s residence in Gulshan to the funeral venue on Wednesday morning. Around 11 a.m., the hearse departed from house number 196 in Gulshan under tight security. Her funeral prayer is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building and Manik Mia Avenue, where supporters began gathering from Tuesday night.

Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23, with her condition described as extremely critical and passing through a crisis period.

The area around the funeral site has seen a large turnout of party members and supporters, while security measures have been intensified to manage the crowd and ensure order during the proceedings.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. after Zuhr at the western end of Manik Mia Avenue near the National Parliament area. From early morning, people from across the country, including BNP leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens, have been arriving to attend. Authorities have completed all necessary preparations to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.

Following the funeral, Begum Khaleda Zia will be buried with state honors beside the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar’s Zia Udyan around 3:30 p.m. Family members, senior BNP leaders, foreign diplomats, and state dignitaries are expected to attend. Public entry to the burial site will be restricted to authorized individuals only.

The government has declared three days of national mourning starting Wednesday and announced a public holiday across the country. Dhaka Metropolitan Police has designated a specific route for the funeral procession from Evercare Hospital to the Parliament area. Before the funeral, Khaleda Zia’s body was taken to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s residence in Gulshan for family and party leaders to pay their last respects.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers are scheduled to be held on Wednesday after the noon prayer at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed that all necessary preparations for the event have been completed.

Authorities announced on Tuesday night that special security measures have been taken across key areas of the capital to ensure the funeral proceeds smoothly and peacefully. To maintain law and order, 27 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at Manik Mia Avenue and other parts of Dhaka. BGB’s Public Relations Officer Md. Shariful Islam confirmed that security has been strengthened around Evercare Hospital, the National Parliament Building, and Zia Udyan in connection with the funeral and burial activities.

Officials stated that law enforcement agencies will remain on high alert considering the expected large public turnout during the funeral proceedings.

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was taken from Evercare Hospital to her son’s residence in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning. The flag-draped vehicle carrying her body arrived at house number 196 around 9:15 a.m., under strict security arrangements. Her funeral prayer is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building and Manik Mia Avenue.

Khaleda Zia passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23 due to a critical health condition. Supporters and party members began gathering near the funeral venue from Tuesday night.

Born on August 15, 1945, Begum Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and the second woman in the Muslim world to hold such a position after Benazir Bhutto.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer is scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, at 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. To ensure public safety and smooth traffic management, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has closed several roads surrounding the Parliament area from 8 a.m. until the ceremony concludes. Diversions are in place, and pedestrians are allowed to move freely.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), vehicle movement has been restricted from 8 a.m. in areas including College Gate, IDB Bhaban, and Bijoy Sarani. Authorities have requested residents to plan their travel accordingly and apologized for temporary inconvenience. Specific road closures include Farmgate, Indira Road, Bijoy Sarani, and Ganabhaban crossings, while alternative routes and parking zones have been designated at the old trade fair ground, Motijheel, Shahbagh, Uttara, and Purbachal.

The restrictions will remain effective until the funeral prayer ends, with DMP urging citizens to avoid the affected areas for smoother movement across the city.

Dhaka has been placed under an extensive security lockdown ahead of the state funeral prayers for former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. More than 10,000 members of law enforcement, including police, RAB, BGB, Ansar, and the army, have been deployed across the capital under the supervision of the Home Ministry. Checkposts have been set up at key intersections, and traffic restrictions have been imposed along designated routes, including a planned green corridor for the funeral procession from Evercare Hospital.

Authorities have banned private drones and remote-controlled cameras near the venue, with high-tech jammers possibly in use to secure the airspace. Metal detectors and archways have been installed at all entry points, and attendees have been urged not to carry bags or heavy items. Senior officials said the heightened measures aim to ensure a peaceful and dignified farewell amid massive public turnout and emotional intensity.

Thousands of mourners from across the country have already arrived in Dhaka, turning the city into a solemn gathering place. Security forces remain on red alert until the burial is completed later in the day.

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was taken from Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to her son’s residence at house number 196 in Gulshan on Wednesday morning around 9:15 a.m. A strong security presence surrounded the vehicle carrying her body. Her funeral prayer is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building and Manik Mia Avenue. Supporters and party members began gathering in the area from Tuesday night.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, at Evercare Hospital, at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment there since November 23, with her condition described as extremely critical. Born on August 15, 1945, Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and the second female prime minister in the Muslim world after Benazir Bhutto.

The arrangements for her funeral and the large gathering of supporters indicate the significance of her political legacy in Bangladesh.

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers are scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon at the Parliament complex area in Dhaka. From early morning, large numbers of people from across the country, including Feni, Brahmanbaria, and Mymensingh, have been arriving to pay their final respects. Many mourners reached the site as early as 4 a.m., wearing black badges as a mark of mourning.

Security measures have been significantly tightened around the area. Authorities have restricted public access near the grave of Khaleda Zia’s husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, citing security reasons. According to reports, the government has announced that Khaleda Zia will be buried with state honors, and floral wreaths have already been prepared for the guard of honor.

The large public turnout and the state arrangements underscore the national significance of the event, as people from various districts continue to gather to bid farewell to the former leader.

Bangladesh has declared a three-day period of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The mourning began on Wednesday and will continue until Friday, according to a Cabinet Division notification issued after an advisory council meeting on Tuesday. The government expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the three-time prime minister, describing her as a steadfast leader in the movement to restore democracy.

During the mourning period, national flags will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and private buildings across the country, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad. On Friday, special prayers will be held in mosques for the forgiveness of her soul, and other religious institutions will also organize prayers for her peace.

Khaleda Zia had been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23. Her condition had been critical, and after 40 days of treatment, doctors declared her dead at 6 a.m. on Tuesday at the age of 80.