BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday called on party members and supporters to transform their grief of Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing into renewed determination, strengthening BNP to advance the cause of a truly democratic Bangladesh.

He made the remarks following an emergency meeting at BNP Chairperson’s office on Tuesday afternoon.

Fakhrul said the funeral prayers of former prime minister will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 PM at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad. The Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque will lead the prayers.

Following the janaza, she will be laid to rest with full state honours beside the grave of her husband, BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

The emergency meeting was attended by BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.

Expressing deep sorrow, Fakhrul described Khaleda Zia as a towering democratic leader, saying her death was an irreparable loss for the nation.

He noted that her passing came at a critical time when the country was moving towards an election aimed at restoring democracy.
He said the namaz-e-janaza would be held at both South Plaza of Parliament complex and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue, with BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan coordinating the funeral proceedings.

Fakhrul also urged people from all walks of life to maintain discipline during the funeral and burial rites to ensure that the proceedings are conducted smoothly and with dignity.

He further prayed for BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, seeking divine strength for him to bear the loss and shoulder the responsibilities left behind by his mother.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 AM on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Following her death, the government declared three days of state mourning from Wednesday to Friday (December 31 to January 2) and announced a public holiday on Wednesday across the country.