Dhaka, Dec 31 (V7N) — The funeral prayer of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday at around 3 pm under the leadership of Khatib Mufti Abdul Malek of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan spoke at the beginning of the funeral, followed by a speech from Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the party, on behalf of the family and the BNP.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the interim government advisory council, the heads of the three services, BNP leaders and activists from different levels. Diplomats from the UK, US, EU, Russia, China, Iran, Qatar, and representatives from 32 other embassies, including ambassadors, were also present at the funeral venue on Manik Mia Avenue.

Begum Khaleda Zia’s body had reached the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building under tight security at around 11:48 am in a freezer van draped in the national red-green flag, as per state protocol. The van had earlier departed from Tarique Rahman’s house in Gulshan at around 11 am. Prior to that, the body was transported from Evercare Hospital in Dhaka in the morning.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday (December 30) at 6 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. She had long been suffering from multiple complications, including heart, lung, liver, kidney diseases, and diabetes.

END/SMA/AJ