Tarique Rahman tells lakhs of people at his mother's funeral to pray for Begum Khaleda Zia

Various individuals, political parties and organizations have expressed deep grief over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Separate condolence messages, statements and press releases have been issued today, Tuesday, wishing her soul rest in peace. Deep condolences have also been extended to Khaleda Zia's bereaved family. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 am today, Tuesday, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. Her funeral will be held tomorrow, Wednesday after Zohar at the South Plaza of the National Assembly and adjacent Manik Mia Avenue. She will later be buried next to the grave of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Dr. Kamal Hossain, founder and emeritus president of Gono Forum, expressed deep grief over the death of the country's first female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and party leaders and workers. In a condolence message, he said that Khaleda Zia took charge of the party at a difficult time and under her able leadership, BNP was able to unite and gain the trust of the people. Dr. Kamal Hossain said, "The nation will remember her (Khaleda Zia) uncompromising leadership in the anti-dictatorship movement of the 1990s, the formulation of the three alliances and the restoration of democracy with lifelong respect. With her death, we have lost a patriot and democratic guardian. She will remain a unique inspiration in the democratic struggle in the history of the country." Chairman of the Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) M Hafizuddin Khan and CEO Badiul Alam Majumdar said in a condolence message that Khaleda Zia's uncompromising role in the practice of democracy, the spread of multi-party political culture, the fight against dictatorship and fascism and the struggle to establish the just rights of the people in Bangladesh will be remembered. Her passing away at this juncture of the country's democratic transition through the 13th national election is an irreparable loss for the nation. Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said in a condolence message that Khaleda Zia's death was an irreparable loss during the democratic transformation of Bangladesh after the 1924 coup. He called on all democratic political parties and the democracy-loving people of the country to take forward Khaleda Zia's fight to establish democracy and a welfare-oriented humane state.