The funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday announced a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday following her death.
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus urged citizens to maintain discipline and order during the funeral prayers and throughout the period of national mourning.
“On the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, I declare three days of state mourning and a one-day general holiday tomorrow, the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza,” Yunus said.
Zia, a three-time prime minister and longtime chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged illness at the age of 80 in Dhaka. She breathed her last early on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation. Her condition worsened on November 27, prompting her transfer to the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
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Expressing condolences, Yunus said the nation was deeply saddened by her passing and appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities involved in carrying out funeral arrangements and other formalities.
“I hope everyone will show patience during this time of mourning and cooperate with those responsible for organising the Namaz-e-Janaza and related observances,” he said.
