Khaleda Zia’s funeral to be held on Manik Mia Avenue instead of parliament complex

Funeral prayers will cover the parliament building and the entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue

The coffin of former prime minister Khaleda Zia will be placed at the west end of Manik Mia Avenue instead of the South Plaza of the Parliament, the Chief Advisor’s Office has said.

In a media statement issued at 11:46pm on Tuesday, the Chief Advisor’s Press Wing said the funeral prayers for Khaleda will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr, around 2pm, on Manik Mia Avenue.

The statement said arrangements for the funeral will cover the inner grounds of the Parliament, its outer premises, and the entire stretch of Manik Mia Avenue.

To allow people from all walks of life to pay their respects and take part in the funeral prayers without disruption, law-enforcing agencies and all relevant state offices are making the necessary preparations, it added.

Following the funeral, Khaleda will be laid to rest with state honours at around 3:30pm beside her husband, slain president and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman.

Relatives, senior state dignitaries, government officials, foreign guests and diplomats, and politicians nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will attend the burial.

To ensure the burial is conducted smoothly, entry will be restricted to designated individuals only, while public movement in the Zia Udyan area of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar will be limited.