Bangladesh bid a heartfelt farewell to its former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, with thousands gathering in Dhaka for her state funeral.
Flags flew at half-mast as her body, draped in the national flag, was taken through the streets, accompanied by thousands of security personnel. The funeral prayers, held outside parliament, drew massive crowds waving national and BNP flags.
Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, passed away at 80, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the nation’s politics for decades. Her body will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981.
Mourners from across the country, including retired government official Minhaz Uddin, came to pay their respects. “I came here with my grandson, just to say goodbye to a veteran politician whose contributions will always be remembered,” Uddin said.
Sharmina Siraj, a mourner, described Zia as “an inspiration,” adding it was hard to imagine women in leadership positions soon.