Bangladesh announces three days of state mourning for ex-PM Khaleda Zia, who died aged 80, with her funeral scheduled for Wednesday.
DHAKA: Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning for former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Zia, aged 80, died in hospital on Tuesday morning.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm in a televised address to the nation.
“I humbly appeal to everyone to maintain discipline while observing all forms of mourning, including the funeral prayers,” Yunus said.
He urged the public to show patience and support while carrying out her last rites.
Interim Law Minister Asif Nazrul said funeral prayers would be held in front of parliament after midday prayers.
Zia will then be buried alongside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman.
The Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people has been in political turmoil since August 2024.
A student-led revolt then overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year rule.
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign for her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Elections are set for February 2026.
The BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner in the upcoming polls.
Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, returned on Thursday after 17 years in exile.
He is seen as a potential prime minister if the BNP wins a majority.
