BNP announces 7-day mourning as Khaleda Zia passes away

BNP has announced a seven-day mourning period in profound grief over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the announcement at a press briefing at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka this morning (30 December).

The seven-day mourning programmes include the hoisting of black flags at party offices, the wearing of black badges by BNP leaders and activists, doa mahfils, and the opening of condolence books at the party's Nayapaltan central office and the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am today (30 December) while undergoing treatment at Evercare. She was 80.

A decision regarding her janaza and burial will be announced later.

BNP standing committee to meet today

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called a meeting of its standing committee at 12:30pm today (30 December) to take a final decision regarding the funeral prayers and burial of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by the Chief Adviser in the morning, Fakhrul said the government had sought to know the BNP's decisions regarding Khaleda Zia's janaza and burial.

"The government wants to ensure that the funeral and related arrangements are carried out smoothly. These matters were discussed in today's meeting," he said.

Mirza Fakhrul added that details of the Advisory Council's decisions would be communicated by the Chief Adviser's press wing, and that the chief adviser would also address the nation.

"As it was a government meeting, the government itself will brief the public on the outcomes," he said.

Fakhrul said, "Everyone should pray for Begum Khaleda Zia."