Crowds Gather in Bangladesh to Bid Farewell to Former Prime Minister Khaleda

Thousands of mourners gathered outside Bangladesh’s parliament in Dhaka on Wednesday to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The crowds, which included supporters from across the country and dignitaries from India and Pakistan, were part of a state funeral for the 79-year-old politician who died after a prolonged illness.

The procession carrying her coffin was escorted by a convoy and lined with security personnel along Manik Mia Avenue, where the parliament building is located. According to officials, approximately 10,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain order during the event.

Khaleda Zia served as prime minister from 1991 until her death, making her the first woman to hold the position in Bangladesh’s history. The country has declared a three-day state mourning period in her honor.

Reports from the scene described high emotions among the crowd, with many people weeping and coming from across the country to pay their respects. Mourners praised Zia for her leadership and contributions to the country’s democratic movement. One mourner stated that Zia had introduced stipends to support girls’ education, which had a significant impact on the lives of young women.

The funeral was attended by dignitaries from India and Pakistan, including Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is due to attend the event. Khaleda’s son, Tarique Rahman, also returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in self-imposed exile in the UK and released a statement praising his mother’s resilience.

Khaleda’s body will be interred in a park outside the parliament building alongside her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981. The funeral is part of a series of events to honor Khaleda’s legacy and pay tribute to her contributions to Bangladesh’s politics.

Source: Al Jazeera