Khaleda Zia death news highlights: EAM Jaishankar to attend former Bangladesh PM's funeral in Dhaka

Khaleda Zia death news updates: In view of the three-day mourning from Wednesday to Friday following the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, fireworks and firecrackers are strictly prohibited in Dhaka. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued several directives for the Bangladesh's Capital.

The release of sky lanterns and gas balloons is also forbidden, and no cultural programs will be held in open spaces.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Banks and factories in Bangladesh will remain closed tomorrow after the interim government in the country declared a public holiday as part of a three-day national mourning, The Daily Star reported.

Non-banking financial institutions will also remain closed, with trading at the country's stock exchanges also remaining suspended.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Several diplomats to Bangladesh, including ambassadors and high commissioners, signed the condolence book for former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, The Daily Star reported.

This included India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, Netherlands Ambassador Joris Franciscus Gerardus Van Bommel, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, and Oman Ambassador Jamil Haji Ismail Al Balushi.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Dhaka University, Chittagong University and Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh have suspended academic and administrative activities following the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, The Daily Star reported.

The universities have also postponed examinations as they observe mourning.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, PTI news agency quoted the interim government as saying.

Her funeral will be held Wednesdayafter Zohr prayers at Parliament's South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue, PTI quoted law advisor Asif Nazrul as saying.

Following this, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to represent the Government of India at the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia.

“The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He will accordingly visit Dhaka on 31 December 2025,” a ministry release on Tuesday said.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: A high-level meeting was held for the overall security for state funeral arrangements for former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The meeting was held at Bangladesh's ministry for home affairs, and was chaired by Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Preparations are underway for former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, who will be laid to rest besider her husband and former president Ziaur Rahman.

The Daily Star reported that members of Bangladesh's law enforcement agencies were deployed in and around the area, with security measures in place to maintain order during preparations.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia's funeral will be held on Wednesday, after prayers at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in the country, The Daily Star reported.

Khaleda will be laid to rest beside former Bangladesh president Ziaur Rahman, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

In a special meeting on Tuesday, Bangladesh's advisory council, chaired by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, adopted a condolence resolution on Khaleda Zia's death, The Daily Star reported.

The members of the council stood in silence for one minute and offered prayers, following which the resolution was read out by Bangladesh's environment, forest and climate change, and information adviser Rizwana Hasan.

Nepal's interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Tuesday mourned the death of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” Karki said, extending condolences to Khaleda's family, friends and the people of Bangladesh.

Karki recalled Khaleda's legacy of public service, lauding her “enduring leadership” and calling her a “true friend of Nepal.” “…She will be remembered for her significant role in strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh relations,” Karki added.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi condoled the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Kharge said, “On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Bangladesh’s Former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia.” He further highlighted Khaleda's role in shaping Bangladesh's political journey. “My sincere condolences to her family, supporters, and the people of Bangladesh,” Kharge said.

Rahul in a post on X said he was “saddened” by the passing of Khaleda, and said her role in Bangladesh's political journey was “significant.”

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday paid an emotion tribute to mother Khaleda Zia, while lauding her resilience and her contribution to the country's politics.

“To many, she (Khaleda Zia) was the leader of the nation, an uncompromising leader, the Mother of Democracy, the Mother of Bangladesh. Today, the country mourns the loss of a guiding presence that shaped its democratic aspirations,” Rahman said in a post on X.

He further shared Khaleda's presence in his life as a “tender and loving mother”. “Throughout her life, she stood firm against autocracy, fascism, and domination, leading the struggle for freedom, sovereignty, and the restoration of democracy,” Rahman said in the post.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Quoting the Chief Advisor's press wing, BBC Bangla reported that during the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and on all government and private buildings across the country, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Bangladesh President Md Shahabuddin expressed deep grief over the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, calling it an irreparable loss for the nation.

In a condolence message, the president said Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising role in the struggle to establish democracy and protect the rights of the people would be remembered in Bangladesh’s political history, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

He prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul and extended his condolences to her family, party leaders and supporters.

The president also urged the people of Bangladesh to honour Khaleda Zia’s memory and pray for her eternal peace.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: The Hasina-Zia rivalry led to them being called “the battling Begums”, a term that uses an Urdu honorific for influential women.

Although the two women joined hands in 1990 to topple military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, their bitter rivalry over the years coined the term “Battle of the Begums” to describe their relationship. Read full story here.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia passed away this morning and will be laid to rest next to her late husband Ziaur Rahman on Wednesday. According to the Dhaka Tribune, he 'namaz-e-janaza' will take place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Owing to former PM Khaleda Zia's death, a one day public holiday and national mourning for three days has been declared in Bangladesh, Daily Star reported on Tuesday. Eighty-year-old Zia died after days of battling an illness. The BNP leader was the first female PM of Bangladesh and had served two terms in office, once in the 90s and once in the early 2000s.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Bangladesh interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences over the death of 80-year-old former PM Khaleda Zia. "Today is a day of profound sorrow for our nation. The leading figure of democratic politics in the country is no longer among us... Her extraordinary role in the struggle to establish democracy, multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people will remain forever etched in history... During this difficult period for the nation, we must remain united. I urge everyone to remain vigilant so that no one can exploit this moment of mourning to create instability or engage in acts of sabotage. We all must act responsibly during this time... I announce three days of state mourning, and a one-day general holiday tomorrow on the day of her funeral prayer...," Yunus reportedly said.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: China also conveyed its condolences, with the Chinese leadership mourning Zia's demise and reaffirming continued friendly relations with the BNP, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

In a condolence letter addressed to Zia's son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said the former prime minister was a steadfast champion of freedom and a key figure in her country's political history.

Yao said Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have separately conveyed their condolences to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: "My mother is no more," Zia's elder son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) acting Chairman Trique Rahman said.

Zia was a three-time prime minister and held the position of chairperson of BNP.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Khaleda Zia was silent about politics for years and did not attend political rallies, but she remained the BNP chairperson until her death. Rahman has been the party’s acting chair since 2018.

She was last seen at an annual function of the Bangladesh military in Dhaka Cantonment on Nov. 21, when Yunus and other political leaders met her. She was in a wheelchair and appeared pale and tired.

Khaleda Zia death news updates: Khaleda Zia's funeral will be held on Wednesday, as Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday announced a three-day mourning and a one-day general holiday following the death of the former prime minister.

Zia, the longtime chief of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) and a three-time prime minister, died earlier in the day in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

Bangladesh news live updates: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, whom she called a "prominent public leader."

"Saddened by the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a prominent public leader. I extend my condolences to her family, friends and followers," Banerjee posted on X.

Bangladesh news live updates: Khaleda Zia is expected to be buried next to her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said.

Bangladesh has declared three days of mourning for former prime minister Khaleda Zia.