Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) bid an emotional farewell to former Prime Minister and BNP patriarch Khaleda Zia as she was laid to rest near the parliament building amid tight security.

Zia, the three-time Prime Minister and a towering political figure, died on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, several senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, and other neighbouring countries, diplomats and top political and military brass of Bangladesh attended Zia’s funeral at Manik Mia Avenue.

Zia’s coffin, draped in the national flag, was brought to the funeral site in a convoy from her residence. Thousands of mourners gathered outside the parliament complex to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader. Many Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters were seen carrying flags featuring Zia’s photographs.

Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Zia’s son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman were among those joining the funeral prayers.

“Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven,” Zia’s elder son, Mr. Rahman, told the crowd ahead of the prayers. Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader led the funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza) held at the Manik Mia Avenue of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament building).

BNP’s Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Zia. Mourners from all walks of life offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the departed soul, as they burst into tears, being emotional with the passing of their beloved leader.

After the funeral prayers, she was laid to rest beside her husband’s grave with State honour at around 4:30 pm (local time).

Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel joined the funeral, while the Maldives was represented by its Higher Education and Labour Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed. Ambassadors, high commissioners, and heads of international organisations stationed in Dhaka also attended Zia’s funeral prayers.

In a televised address to the nation, Chief Adviser Yunus on Tuesday (December 31, 2025) announced a three-day State mourning and a one-day general holiday.

Zia had been suffering from multiple complex and chronic health conditions, including liver and kidney complications, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and infection-related problems.

She last appeared in public on November 21 when she joined the Armed Forces Day reception at Dhaka Cantonment. Two days later, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

Her political journey, spanning over four decades, was one of tremendous highs and lows: from leading a major party and governing the country to being convicted on corruption charges and later receiving a presidential pardon.

Her appearance as a public figure in the political arena at the age of 35 was not a planned debut; rather, she was thrust into politics after the 1981 assassination of her husband, a military ruler turned politician who founded BNP in 1978.

In 1991, BNP won the elections, and Zia became the first woman Prime Minister in Bangladesh and second in the Muslim world after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.

Bangladesh’s ​first female prime ‌minister, ​Khaleda Zia, died after a prolonged illness, ​her opposition ⁠Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said ​on ⁠Tuesday (December 30, 2025).

“The BNP Chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6.00 a.m., just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer,” the party said in a statement.

“We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it added.

Ms. Zia, aged 80, had ‌advanced cirrhosis ‌of the liver, arthritis, ‍diabetes, chest ‍and heart problems, her doctors said.

The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s archrivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation.

Khaleda Zia: Return of the Begum 

She had faced corruption cases she said were politically motivated, but in January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted Zia in the last corruption case against her, which would have let her run in February’s election.

Ms. Zia had returned to the country in May after undergoing medical treatment in the U.K.

In early January, Bangladesh’s interim government had allowed her to travel abroad after Sheikh Hasina’s government rejected previous requests at least 18 times.

Ms. Zia was married to President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed during a 1981 coup. She then helped build a mass movement against the military dictator, who was finally ousted in 1990.

She won her first term in 1991 and served again from 2001. Her opponent in that election and several since was Ms. Hasina.

Though Ms. Zia had ‌been out of power since 2006 and had spent several years in jail or under house arrest, she and ​her centre-right BNP continued to command much support.

The BNP is seen as the frontrunner to win the parliamentary election slated to take place in February. Her son and acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, 60, returned to the country last week from nearly 17 years in self-exile and is widely seen as a strong candidate to become prime minister.

With inputs from AFP, Reuters, AP