I will carry forth my mother's journey from where it ended: Tarique

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to carry forward the political and social legacy of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, saying he feels a deep sense of responsibility to continue her unfinished journey of public service.

"My mother devoted her life to serving others, day after day, with relentless dedication. I feel the weight of that legacy, and I promise to honour it with humility and commitment," Tarique wrote in a post on his verified Facebook profile today (1 January), a day after Khaleda was laid to rest at Zia Uddyan in his presence.

"Where her journey paused, I will strive to continue her work to the people whose faith and love sustained her until her last breath," Tarique vowed, praying for the eternal peace of Khaleda's soul.

He added that the examples of boundless love, sacrifice and generosity she left behind should inspire unity, strength and patriotism among the nation's people.

Tarique described the burial of his "beloved mother, the first teacher of my life and a three-time prime minister" as a moment of profound grief that words could not fully express. 

Yet, he said, the extraordinary presence of people from across the country had prevented him from feeling alone in this difficult time. "Seeing you all here, standing with our family through these most difficult hours, reminded me of something very precious: that she was not only a mother to me, but in many ways a mother of this nation."

'Your efforts made it possible to honour her memory with dignity,' says Tarique, thanking all for Khaleda Zia's funeral

Recalling the loss of his father, Ziaur Rahman, and his brother Arafat Rahman. "And yet, to be surrounded here by so many who feel like family has been a source of comfort I never expected on a day like this. Today, at a time of greatest sorrow, I feel like this whole nation is my family." 

Tarique also expressed gratitude to representatives from various South Asian countries, global diplomats and development partners who attended in person to pay their respects. He thanked all countries and institutions that conveyed condolences, saying their compassion had deeply touched the family.

Khaleda Zia, a central figure in Bangladesh's politics for decades, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief at home and abroad, marking the end of an era in the country's political history.

Thousands of mourners, including ordinary citizens, political leaders, diplomats and foreign dignitaries, and civilian and military officials, attended Khaleda's janaza yesterday to pay their final respects to the three-time former prime minister.