A high-level meeting was held on Tuesday on overall security for the state funeral arrangements, burial, public tributes of former three-time prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
The meeting was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs with Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury in the chair.
Following the meeting, a press briefing was held by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and head of the security team of Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam.
They informed the media that comprehensive preparations are being taken to ensure smooth arrangements for public homage, burial proceedings and nationwide security, while maintaining law and order during the events.
The meeting has finalized preparations for the funeral, burial, and security arrangements of national leader and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away at the Evercare Hospital at 6:00 am today.
Senior advisors, security chiefs, military officials, and BNP representatives attended the meeting.
It was decided that her state funeral will be held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, followed by burial arrangements coordinated with Evercare Hospital.
The entire program will be conducted with full state dignity, in close coordination between the government and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told the news briefing.
A one-day national holiday has been declared, along with three days of national mourning, he said, adding that security agencies are reviewing all arrangements to ensure smooth public participation and safety.
Speaking at the briefing Brig Gen (Retd) Dr Shamsul Islam expressed gratitude to the interim government and confirmed the party’s full cooperation to allow the public to pay their final respects peacefully.
He emphasized Begum Khaleda Zia’s historic role in restoring democracy, her three terms as Prime Minister, and her decades-long public service.
Both the government and BNP called upon the public for cooperation to ensure a dignified and orderly farewell for the late national leader.
