BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honors on Wednesday afternoon. The burial took place after 4:30 pm at Zia Udyan in the capital, beside the grave of her husband, late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Her eldest son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman personally descended into the grave and gently laid his mother to rest.

Earlier, following the funeral prayers held in the National Parliament area, Khaleda Zia’s coffin—draped in the national flag—was transported under tight security in a hearse to Zia Udyan. At the entrance, the vehicle halted, after which members of the armed forces carried the coffin on their shoulders to the burial site. Tarique Rahman and other family members followed closely behind.

After the body was placed in the grave, Tarique Rahman placed the first soil. Standing nearby were his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, daughters Jahia Rahman and Jafia Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s brother Shamim Eskandar and other close relatives. Soil from the grave was briefly handed to family members before being returned to the burial site.

Subsequently, soil was placed by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. They were followed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party’s Standing Committee. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury also paid his respects at the grave.

Earlier in the day, Khaleda Zia’s janaza turned into a massive public gathering. From morning, people from all walks of life poured into the Manik Mia Avenue and Parliament area, filling surrounding roads and alleys well before noon.

After the burial, members of the armed forces rendered a Guard of Honor, accompanied by a solemn bugle call.

On behalf of the President, Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury, and on behalf of the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Major General Abu Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed wreaths at the grave. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul also paid tribute on behalf of the interim government. Tarique Rahman later offered floral tributes as well.

Following them, the chiefs of the three armed forces again paid their respects. Another Guard of Honor was observed as the bugle sounded mournfully. Tarique Rahman stood with family members nearby, alongside senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and others.

The ceremony concluded with prayers, after which the Home Affairs Adviser and the service chiefs personally expressed their condolences to Tarique Rahman.