United News of Bangladesh

A high-level delegation from Bhutan, led by Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, paid respects at the state funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Wednesday, following a royal command from the King. The delegation, comprising senior officials from the Bhutanese government, participated in prayers and other ceremonial proceedings, reflecting Bhutan’s formal condolences and respect for the late political leader. Condolence messages from the King, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Prime Minister were handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia, by Lyonpo DN Dhungyel. On behalf of the people and the government of Bhutan, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel offered condolences to the people and the government of Bangladesh.

China has said BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s important contributions to promoting Bangladesh-China friendship and the bilateral relationship will forever be remembered. “Khaleda Zia is an old and dear friend of Chinese people and long committed to China-Bangladesh friendship,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. He said China expresses deep condolences over the passing of Khaleda Zia and heartfelt sympathies to the interim government of Bangladesh and Khaleda’s family. While in office as the prime minister of Bangladesh, the Spokesperson said, she made active efforts to develop Bangladesh-China ties and the two countries established the comprehensive partnership of cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefit. Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present. Khaleda Zia was given a guard of honour under the supervision of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) before her burial. On behalf of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed a wreath at the grave of Khaleda Zia.

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Pakistani President, Prime Minister, Field Marshal and people of Pakistan over the sad demise of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Sadiq handed over a letter from Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the BNP Acting Chairman. During the meeting, he recalled Khaleda Zia’s remarkable political leadership and noted her vital role in promoting historical affinities, mutual respect and cooperation between our two nations.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday met visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to pay last respects to former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral programme of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally written a letter as BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who represented the government and people of India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BNP Acting Chairman and Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman. On arrival in Dhaka, Jaishankar met Tarique Rahman. “(I’ve) handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (I’ve) conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India,” said the Indian Minister. Jaishankar expressed the confidence that Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of Dhaka-Delhi partnership. BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were, among others, present at the meeting. Jaishankar spent four hours in Dhaka, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah who is currently visiting Dhaka. He said Bangladesh and India would look forward to script a new chapter in their ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with BNP Acting Chairman. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the Indian Minister. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide Dhaka-Delhi partnership. "I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," PM Modi said in a message.

Nepalese Foreign Affairs Minister Bala Nanda Sharma arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Begum Khaleda Zia and pay last respects on behalf of the government and the people of Nepal. Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh M Forhadul Islam and Ambassador Ghanashyam Bhandari received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, a senior official told UNB. The Foreign Minister’s visit reflects Nepal’s deep respect for the late leader’s contributions to strengthening Nepal–Bangladesh relations during her three tenures as Prime Minister, said the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Jaishankar in Dhaka to represent India to pay last respect to ex-PM Khaleda Minister Sharma is accompanied by senior officials of their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister, who arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday night (11:25pm) by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, will return to Kathmandu on January 1.  

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to represent the government and people of India at the funeral of three-time former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia. As Delhi believes Khaleda Zia’s vision and legacy will continue to guide the partnership between Bangladesh and India, Jaishankar will represent the government and people of India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia. He (Jaishankar) arrived here at 11:30am, a senior official told UNB, noting that it is a brief visit on short notice to pay last respect to Khaleda. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the Indian Minister. Khaleda Zia, the then Leader of the Opposition, visited India at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister from October 28 to November 3, 2012. Her last official visit to India was in March 2006 as the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She paid a state visit to India from March 20-22 March at the invitation of the then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. During the visit, she held comprehensive discussions with then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide Dhaka-Delhi partnership. "I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," PM Modi said in a message. Hope ex-PM Khaleda's vision, legacy to guide our partnership: PM Modi Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon. The Indian Prime Minister said he is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Khaleda and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership.  “May her soul rest in peace," Prime Minister Modi said in the message. "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," he said. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, PM Modi said, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as Bangladesh-India relations, will always be remembered.  

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, will represent Pakistan at the funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday. The announcement was confirmed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar through his verified X account. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after battling illness for 37 days. Her funeral will take place at her ancestral home in Majumdar Bari, South Sripur, Fulgazi, Feni.

Nepalese Foreign Affairs Minister Bala Nanda Sharma will attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Begum Khaleda Zia and pay last respects on behalf of the government and the people of Nepal. The Foreign Minister’s visit reflects Nepal’s deep respect for the late leader’s contributions to strengthening Nepal–Bangladesh relations during her three tenures as Prime Minister, said the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Minister Sharma will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday night (11:25pm) by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and to return to Kathmandu on January 1.

Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Takaichi Sanae and Motegi Toshimitsu have expressed condolence at the passing of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Takaichi Sanae and Motegi Toshimitsu extended their messages of condolences to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain separately on Tuesday. They also expressed sincere condolences and paid tributes for Khaleda Zia for her endeavours which built the foundation for the development of Japan-Bangladesh relations for today. Khaleda Zia, the three-time prime minister, breathed her last around 6am at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment there. Meanwhile, the government announced a three-day national mourning and a holiday for Wednesday to show respect to Khaleda Zia. Her namaz-e-janaza will be held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 2pm. Later, she will be laid to rest beside the grave of party founder and her husband former President Ziaur Rahman.