Khaleda Zia’s body taken to Parliament Complex ahead of janaza
Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a lasting political icon, Khaleda Zia died yesterday in a Dhaka hospital after a long bout of old age illness. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today.
Follow our live updates -
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
12:15pm
Manik Mia Avenue sees large gathering ahead of Khaleda Zia's janaza
A large number of people have been gathering at Manik Mia Avenue since early this morning to attend the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The gathering began around 7:00am, with BNP leaders and activists arriving from different parts of Dhaka and other districts, including Feni, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Narayanganj, to pay their final respects.
11:45am
The vehicle carrying the body of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia entered the premises of the National Parliament Complex.
11:10am
Khaleda Zia's body is being moved from Tarique Rahman's residence to Manik Mia Avenue. The vehicle carrying Khaleda Zia's body left the Gulshan residence around 11:03am.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are accompanying her in another vehicle
10:50am
Tarique recites Quran for Khaleda
Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda Zia and BNP acting chairman, recited from the Holy Quran at his Gulshan residence and prayed for his mother shortly after her body arrived there.
Sitting alone on a chair inside the residence, Tarique Rahman appeared deeply grief-stricken as he prayed for his mother.
09:30am
Khaleda Zia's body taken to Gulshan in flag-draped vehicle
The body of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia was taken from Evercare Hospital to Gulshan at around 9:20am today, in a vehicle draped in the national flag of Bangladesh.
Although her body was initially scheduled to be taken to her residence, Firoza, the vehicle was later taken to the residence of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at House No 196 on Gulshan Avenue.
Party leaders, activists and family members will pay their final respects there.
Later, the body will be taken to Manik Mia Avenue, where the namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2:00pm.
Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, the late president Ziaur Rahman.
A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed in and around the hospital and along key roads to maintain security and manage traffic.
09:00am
Foreign leaders to join Khaleda Zia's funeral
A number of high-level foreign dignitaries, including those from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, are likely to attend the funeral of Khaleda Zia today to pay their last respects to her.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq are among the likely foreign dignitaries.
08:00am
Banks, factories to remain closed today
Banks will remain closed today after the interim government declared a public holiday as part of a three-day national mourning following the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Non-bank financial institutions will also remain closed, according to circulars issued by the Bangladesh Bank yesterday.
As there will be no regular banking activities, trading at the country's stock exchanges will also remain suspended.
7:00am
Nation observing state mourning
The nation is observing a three-day state mourning following the death of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, declared the three-day state mourning starting from today and one-day general holiday for today as well.
On this occasion, the national flag has been kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.
Comments