Khaleda Zia's death an irreparable loss nation can never fill: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia as an "irreparable loss" that the nation can never overcome.

Speaking in an emotional voice at a briefing in Evercare Hospital's press room this morning (30 December), he said, "We never imagined standing before you with this news. We still hoped she would recover like before."

Addressing her as the "mother of democracy" and the nation's guardian, Fakhrul further said, "She breathed her last in ICU at 6am. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. This grief, this loss is unnatural, irreparable. This nation can never fill it."

"The leader who dedicated her life to people's rights is no more, creating a 'vast vacuum' in Bangladesh politics and global democratic movements," Fakhrul added.

Yunus calls, Cabinet meeting set

Fakhrul said, "Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus called immediately, with a special cabinet meeting scheduled at 10:30 am to discuss state honours for Khaleda Zia's janaza and burial. We will coordinate fully and update later."

Emergency meeting of the Standing Committee

Mirza Fakhrul said, "Our party's Standing Committee meeting will be held at 12:30 pm. In that meeting, we will adopt more detailed programmes."

"Also, we will coordinate with the government on all relevant programmes, and we will inform you about those matters later," he added.

Earlier, Prof Dr Shahabuddin confirmed her death at 6am. Admitted to Evercare on 23 November, her condition worsened on 27 November, leading to CCU and life support until the end.

BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas and BNP senior leader Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, along with medical board members, were present at the briefing.