Bangladesh bade farewell on Wednesday to former prime minister Khaleda Zia in a state funeral drawing huge crowds, mourning a towering chief whose profession outlined politics for many years.
Zia, the primary girl to function prime minister within the South Asian nation of 170 million individuals, died on Tuesday aged 80.
Flags have been flown at half-mast, and hundreds of safety officers lined the streets as her physique was carried by way of the streets of the capital Dhaka in a automobile within the colours of the nationwide flag.
Giant crowds had gathered outdoors parliament — many waving nationwide flags or these of Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Get together (BNP) — the place the funeral prayers have been held round 3pm native time, in keeping with Dhaka-based Every day Star.
Zia’s physique might be buried alongside her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981 throughout his time as president.
Retired authorities official Minhaz Uddin, 70, mentioned he had by no means voted for her, however got here to honor the three-time prime minister.
“I got here right here with my grandson, simply to say goodbye to a veteran politician whose contributions will at all times be remembered,” he mentioned, watching from behind a barbed wire barricade as her physique handed by.
“Khaleda Zia has been an inspiration,” mourner Sharmina Siraj advised AFPincluding that “it’s tough to think about ladies in management positions anytime quickly”.
The 40-year-old mom of two mentioned stipends launched by Zia to assist ladies’ schooling “had a huge effect on the lives of our ladies”.
NA speaker meets household, expresses condolences
Nationwide Meeting Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who’s in Bangladesh for the funeral, visited the residence of the previous Bangladeshi prime minister, the place he met her son and daughter.
In keeping with an announcement issued by the NA Secretariat, Sadiq expressed his condolences on the passing of their mom.
“On this hour of grief and sorrow, the federal government and the individuals of Pakistan stand with you,” he was quoted as saying. The household of the late premier thanked Sadiq for his condolences.
The NA speaker additionally met the nation’s nationwide safety adviser, Khalilur Rehman, the assertion mentioned.
It mentioned that Sadiq “conveyed a message of sympathy and condolences on behalf of the residents and prime minister of Pakistan”.
The speaker additionally met the adviser for regulation, justice and parliamentary affairs of Bangladesh, Asif Nazrul, the place the 2 mentioned issues of mutual curiosity.
Later, photos of him assembly Indian Overseas Minister Dr S Jaishankar additionally circulated on social media.
‘Legacy lives on’
Regardless of years of ailing well being and imprisonment, Zia had vowed to marketing campaign in elections set for 12 February — the primary vote since a mass rebellion toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina final yr.
Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Get together is broadly seen as a frontrunner, and her son Tarique Rahman, 60, who returned solely final week after 17 years in exile, is seen as a possible prime minister in the event that they win a majority.
“She isn’t any extra, however her legacy lives on — and so does the BNP,” mentioned Jenny Parvez, 37, who traveled for a number of hours along with her household to observe the funeral cortege go her on the road.
The interim authorities, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, declared three days of nationwide mourning and an elaborate state funeral.
Yunus mentioned Bangladesh had “misplaced an incredible guardian”.
“Unbreakable”
Tarique Rahman mentioned in an announcement that “the nation mourns the lack of a guiding presence that formed its democratic aspirations”.
His mom, he added, “endured repeated arrests, denial of medical care, and relentless persecution”, however that “her resilience … was unbreakable.”
Affected by a raft of well being points, Zia was rushed to hospital in late November, the place her situation had steadily deteriorated regardless of therapy.
However, hours earlier than her dying, celebration staff had on Monday submitted nomination papers on her behalf for 3 constituencies for subsequent yr’s polls.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned he hoped Zia’s “imaginative and prescient and legacy will proceed to information our partnership”, a heat message regardless of the strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka since Hasina’s fall.
Overseas Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is because of attend the funeral, New Delhi mentioned, essentially the most senior go to by an Indian official because the overthrow of Hasina.
Senior officers from Pakistan are additionally anticipated to attend.
