Dhaka, Dec 31 (V7N) — The funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday in the presence of millions of devotees. During the ceremony, her eldest son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the mourners on behalf of the family and the party.

Before the funeral, Tarique Rahman said, “I am the eldest son of the late Begum Khaleda Zia. All brothers and sisters present here, if the late Begum has taken any loan from anyone, please contact me. I will repay it, Insha Allah.”

He also expressed apologies on behalf of his mother, saying, “If anyone was hurt by any of Khaleda Zia’s actions or words while she was alive, I apologize on her behalf. Pray for her soul.”

The funeral prayer was led by Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram. Following the prayer, the ambulance carrying Khaleda Zia’s body departed for Zia Udyan.

Her body reached the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 11:48 am amid tight security. The body was transported in a freezer van wrapped in the red-green national flag in accordance with state protocol.

Earlier in the morning, the freezer van left Tarique Rahman’s house in Gulshan at around 11 am. Khaleda Zia’s body had initially been taken from Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to Gulshan.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday (December 30) at 6 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. She had been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart, lung, liver, kidney diseases, and diabetes.

END/SMA/AJ