Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today expressed deep grief and sorrow at the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, describing the loss as “immense, irreplaceable and irreparable” for the nation. Speaking at an emergency press conference held this morning at the auditorium of Evercare Hospital, Fakhrul said, “We were hoping this time, just like before, that she would recover again. But you have already heard that the Mother of Democracy, our guardian and the guardian of our nation, has left us. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un. This grief, this loss, is immeasurable. The nation will never be able to fully recover from this.”
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Begum Khaleda Zia had dedicated her entire life to the rights and welfare of the people. Her passing has created a profound void in the country’s political arena. Fakhrul emphasized that the leader who devoted her whole life to the people and democracy is no longer among them, and her colleagues and political activists are struggling to comprehend the loss. He stated that a huge vacuum has been created in the politics of Bangladesh, affecting not only the national landscape but also the democratic movement globally.
Fakhrul mentioned that Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus spoke with him over the phone and conveyed that a special cabinet meeting would be held today to decide on a state funeral and burial with full state honours for Begum Khaleda Zia. “The cabinet will discuss the arrangements for her burial, interment, and the conferment of state honours,” he said. Fakhrul added that they would announce subsequent programmes in coordination with the government.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00 am today after a prolonged illness, casting a deep shadow of grief across the nation and among the international community. Fakhrul concluded by reiterating the coordination with the government for announcing future programs.