Representatives from Saarc countries to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral

Representatives from several South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states will attend the funeral of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, scheduled to be held today (31 December).

The namaz-e-janaza will be held across the Manik Mia Avenue in the city after Zohr prayers around 2pm.

Instead of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, the coffin will be kept at the western end of Manik Mia Avenue while the janaza will be held across the inner ground of the Jatiya Sangsad, its outer premises, and the entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing last night (30 December).

Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, H M Vijitha Herath, will represent his country at the state funeral. He is expected to arrive in Dhaka at around 1pm today.

Pakistan will be represented by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who is expected to arrive in Dhaka at noon today to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia. Officials of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad confirmed the matter.

Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away yesterday morning (30 December).

Bangladesh and Pakistan enjoyed comparatively warm relations during Khaleda Zia's tenures as prime minister between 1991 and 1996, and again from 2001 to 2006.

From the Maldives, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, and special envoy of the Maldivian president, will arrive in Dhaka to attend the funeral.

Bhutan's Foreign Minister D N Dhungyel will also lead his country's delegation at the state funeral of the BNP chairperson.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma arrived in Dhaka last night to attend the state funeral on behalf of his government. He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanashyam Bhandari, and Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary M Forhadul Islam.

According to officials, the Nepalese foreign minister will attend Begum Khaleda Zia's janaza at 2pm at Manik Mia Avenue.

Condolences have continued to pour in from across the world following the death of the former prime minister.

India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today to attend the funeral.

"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," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in a statement yesterday evening.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow at Begum Zia's demise, recalling her political legacy and contributions to bilateral relations.

"Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss," he said.

Recalling her role in national and regional politics, Modi said, "As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered."

"I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership," the Indian prime minister added.