DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh will hold the funeral of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday with full state honours, as extensive preparations have been made in the capital.
Khaleda Zia, 80, died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, the interim government said. She had been receiving medical care for a prolonged period.
The funeral prayer will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament House and the adjacent Manik Mia Avenue, officials said.
She will be buried at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, beside the grave of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman.
Authorities said extensive security measures were being put in place. More than 10,000 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the funeral and burial.
উপদেষ্টা পরিষদের বিশেষ সভা অনুষ্ঠিত
ঢাকা, ৩০ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৫: প্রধান উপদেষ্টা প্রফেসর মুহাম্মদ ইউনূসের সভাপতিত্বে আজ মঙ্গলবার রাষ্ট্রীয় অতিথি ভবন যমুনায় উপদেষ্টা পরিষদের একটি বিশেষ সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়েছে।
সভায় শুরুতেই তিনবারের সাবেক প্রধানমন্ত্রী, গণতান্ত্রিক আন্দোলনের আপোসহীন… pic.twitter.com/VUr8v3PjHy
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 30, 2025
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the funeral prayer would be led by Mufti Abdul Malek, the khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the chief adviser, members of the Advisory Council, senior political leaders and foreign diplomats would attend the funeral.
Foreign dignitaries to attend
Several foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the funeral to pay their last respects.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq will represent Pakistan, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said in a post on X.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan, will represent Pakistan tomorrow at the funeral of Late Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka, Bangladesh. https://t.co/BBV93jK5a7
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) December 30, 2025
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the last rites in Dhaka, India’s foreign ministry said. Representatives from Bhutan and the Maldives are also expected, according to sources cited by Dhaka Tribune.
Ministers and diplomatic representatives from several other South Asian countries are likely to be present at the funeral prayers, according to Dhaka Tribune.
Khaleda Zia’s death has prompted condolences from around the world. The United States, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, China, Turkiye and the European Union were among countries and international organisations that expressed sorrow.
In their messages, world leaders praised her role in Bangladesh’s democratic journey and her contribution to advancing women’s development.
The interim government said the death of the country’s first female prime minister had cast a deep shadow over Bangladesh’s political landscape.
