Bangladesh today pays tribute to its pioneering former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia with a state funeral in the capital, marking the close of a defining chapter in the nation’s political history. The solemn occasion has drawn prominent dignitaries, including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, as the country observes nationwide mourning. Khaleda Zia, the longtime leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged battle with serious health complications.

Funeral prayers began at 2 p.m. local time at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and along Manik Mia Avenue, followed by a ceremonial procession to Zia Udyan, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman. The government has accorded her full state honors, with her coffin draped in the national flag and a three-day period of official mourning declared. Mosques across the country are holding special prayers in her memory.

Khaleda Zia’s political journey reshaped Bangladesh’s democratic landscape. She made history in 1991 as the nation’s first female prime minister and led the BNP through decades of intense political rivalry, particularly with Sheikh Hasina, a contest that defined much of modern Bangladeshi governance. Though her career included controversial moments such as house arrest over corruption charges that were later overturned, she remained a powerful symbol of political resilience until her final days, ultimately succumbing to complications from liver cirrhosis and heart disease.

The presence of regional leaders underscores the significance of the moment. Jaishankar’s attendance reflects the close ties between India and Bangladesh, following earlier condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has also arrived in Dhaka, signaling broader South Asian solidarity as Bangladesh moves forward under interim leadership in the post-Hasina political transition.

As the nation mourns, attention now turns to the future of the BNP. Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, who serves as the party’s acting chair from London exile, is expected to guide the organization into the upcoming February elections. Meanwhile, large crowds gathered outside Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital where she was treated, reflecting the deep and lasting influence Khaleda Zia held over the country during a period of profound political change.

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