Tarique pledges to continue his mother’s unfinished journey
Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has vowed to carry forward the political and social mission of his mother, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying he now bears a profound responsibility to continue the path of service she left behind.
“My mother dedicated her entire life to serving people with tireless commitment,” Tarique wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, a day after Khaleda Zia was laid to rest at Zia Udyan in his presence. “I carry the weight of that legacy and pledge to uphold it with sincerity and devotion.”
He said he would strive to continue her work for the people whose love and trust sustained her until her final moments, while also praying for the eternal peace of her soul.
Tarique noted that Khaleda Zia’s life of unconditional love, sacrifice and generosity should serve as a source of inspiration for unity, resilience and patriotism among the people of the country.
Describing the burial of his “beloved mother, my first teacher in life and a three-time prime minister,” he said the depth of his grief was beyond words.
However, the overwhelming presence of people from all corners of the country helped ease his sense of loss.
“Standing beside us in this moment of sorrow, you reminded me that she was not only my mother, but in many ways the mother of the nation,” he said, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to ensuring her funeral was held with dignity.
Recalling the loss of his father, President Ziaur Rahman, and his brother Arafat Rahman, Tarique said the compassion shown by countless people had given him unexpected comfort.
“At my deepest moment of sorrow, I feel that the entire nation stands with me as family,” he added.
He also thanked representatives of South Asian countries, foreign diplomats and development partners who attended the funeral, as well as those who sent messages of condolence, saying their sympathy deeply moved the family.
Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in Bangladesh’s politics for decades, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Her death has sparked widespread mourning at home and abroad, signalling the close of a significant chapter in the nation’s political history.
Thousands of mourners—ranging from ordinary citizens to political leaders, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, and civil and military officials—joined her janaza to pay their final respects to the three-time former prime minister.