Khaleda Zia Last Rites Highlights: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest on Wednesday, a day after she died from prolonged illness at the age of 80. Zia, the first female prime minister, was buried with full state honours beside her husband, the late Bangladesh president Ziaur Rahman.
In a televised address to the nation, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammed Yunus had announced a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday.
Foreign dignitaries, including Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, attended Zia's funeral.
In a televised address to the nation, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammed Yunus had announced a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday.
Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is on the boil following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi's killing earlier in December led to widespread violent protests across the country.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: S Jaishankar Leaves Dhaka
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has left Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka after he attended the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar handed over the condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, the son of Zia.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia Laid To Rest Next To Husband In Dhaka
Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest on Wednesday, a day after she died from prolonged illness at the age of 80. Zia, the first female prime minister, was buried with full state honours beside her husband, the late Bangladesh president Ziaur Rahman.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Massive Turnout For Prayers For Khaleda Zia Ahead Of Dhaka Burial
There has been a massive turnout for prayers for Khaled Zia before she is buried in Dhaka.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Muhammd Yunus Reaches Parliament Complex For Last Rites
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has reached the Parliament Complex in Dhaka to join Khaleda Zia's janaza, state media reported.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Ex-Bangladesh PM's Funeral To Begin Shortly
The funeral of Khaleda Zia will begin shortly in Dhaka. A massive crowd has gathered at the Manik Mia Avenue where citizens will be paying their last respects to the former prime minister.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Massive Crowd At Ex-Bangladesh PM's Funeral
There has been a massive crowd to attend the funeral of Khaleda Zia with general public, BNP leaders, and activists from all parts of the country arriving at the Manik Mia Avenue to pay their last respects to the former prime minister.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: India Hands Over Condolence Letter To Ex-PM's Son
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar handed over the condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, the son of Khaleda Zia.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Ex-PM's Body Arrives At Parliament Complex
A vehicle carrying the body of late former prime minister Khaleda Zia entered the premises of the National Parliament Complex. Zia's funeral will be held after Zohr prayers at Parliament's South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: People Gather In Large Numbers To Pay Tributes
#Watch | People gather in large numbers to offer tributes to former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia in Dhaka pic.twitter.com/gnrf1Gafs0
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 31, 2025
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Ex-Bangladesh PM's Body Arrives In Firoza
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday that former prime minister Khaleda Zia's body arrived at Firoza in Gulshan, where her family members and relatives paid their last respects.
The body of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia arrived at Firoza in Gulshan, where family members and relatives paid their last respects to her ahead of her Namaz-e-Janaza.
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 31, 2025
Photo: PID pic.twitter.com/dxSNmWQEgC
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Zia's Friendship Then Rivalry With Sheikh Hasina
In 1984, Khaleda Zia became the head of the BNP three years after the assassination of her husband and then-president Ziaur Rahman. Zia vowed to deliver on her husband's aim of "liberating Bangladesh from poverty and economic backwardness."
Zia joined hands with joined hands with Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's founding father and head of the Awami League party, to lead a popular uprising for democracy that toppled military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad in 1990.
But their cooperation did not last long. Their bitter rivalry would lead to the two being dubbed "the battling Begums"
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: All Eyes On Ex-PM's Son As Leader For BNP's Next Chapter
With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman overseeing the party for a while now, the answer to 'who's next?' has always been known. His celebrated return just a few days before his mother's death shows there are no other claimants to the position he holds, and the BNP, at this point, is not expecting any inheritance battle. Read more
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Ex-PM's Last Rites To Take Place Amid Unrest In Bangladesh
Khaleda Zia's funeral comes at a time when Bangladesh is on the boil following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi's killing earlier in December led to widespread violent protests across the country.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: PM Modi Extends Condolences To Zia's Family
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of Khaleda Zia and extended condolences to her family. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership."
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Indian, Pak Foreign Ministers To Attend Funeral
Foreign dignitaries, including Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, will attend Zia's funeral on Wednesday.
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Zia Was Bangladesh's First Female PM
Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh's first female prime minister in 1991 and was in-charge of the top post thrice. Zia was the long-time chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Khaleda Zia Funeral Updates: Former Bangladesh PM To Be Buried Today
Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon following Zohr prayers at Parliament's South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue. The interim government announced on Tuesday that Zia will be buried with full state honours beside her husband, the late Bangladesh president Ziaur Rahman. Zia was 80 at the time of her death.
