Nayapaltan shrouded in sorrow on Khaleda’s passing

Staff Reporter  :

A deep sense of mourning gripped the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday as grief-stricken leaders and activists gathered following the death of party Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Many were seen breaking down in tears as they paid tribute to their long-time leader.
Several party leaders also voiced resentment, holding the Sheikh Hasina-led government responsible for her demise.

They claimed that Khaleda Zia’s health deteriorated severely due to inadequate medical care during her imprisonment.

In the meantime, a complete recitation (Khatm) of the Holy Quran commenced at the party headquarters, while black flags were raised to symbolize mourning.

After her death, the BNP declared a seven-day mourning programme. Party flags will remain at half-mast, and black flags will be displayed at all BNP offices throughout the period.

The party also announced that a condolence book will be kept open for three days at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the book would be available for signing on Tuesday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, on Wednesday (December 31) from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and on Thursday (January 1) from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. She had been admitted on November 23 and was transferred to the ICU on November 27 as her condition worsened. She remained on life support until her final moments.

Born on August 15, 1945, Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and the second woman prime minister in the Muslim world, following Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.