: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 3:38 PM
Dhaka. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting president Tariq Rahman on Tuesday paid an emotional tribute to his mother, BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and remembered her as a “loving mother”, a mother who dedicated her entire life to the country and its people. According to the statement issued by BNP, Khaleda Zia died at around 6 am on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was ill for a long time and was hospitalized for the last one month. His age was 80 years. The party said that they pray for the peace of his soul and also appeal to the countrymen to pray for him.
“My mother, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, left us today at the call of Allah. For many, she was the leader of the country, a fearless leader! The mother of democracy, the mother of Bangladesh. Today, the country mourns the loss of a guide who shaped its democratic hopes,” the son wrote on Twitter.
He talked about the intricacies of his relationship with his mother. Said, “For me, Khaleda Zia was a tender and loving mother who devoted her entire life to the name of the country and its people. Throughout her life, she stood strong against dictatorship, fascism and domination, fighting for the restoration of freedom, sovereignty and democracy.”
Rahman recalled her strength despite political difficulties.
He said, “Though her life was marked by sacrifice and struggle, at home she was our truest guardian, a mother whose immense love gave us courage in our darkest moments. She was repeatedly detained, denied medical care and endured constant persecution. Yet even in pain, captivity and uncertainty, she never ceased to shelter her family with courage and kindness. Her intentions were unwavering, strong and without pretense.” Was.”
Rahman also expressed his feelings about his personal sacrifice for the country. He said, “For the country, she lost her husband; she lost her child. In that period of personal loss, this country and its people became her family, her purpose, her soul. She leaves behind an unforgettable legacy of patriotism, sacrifice and protest, a legacy that will live on in the democratic mind of Bangladesh.”
He ended his speech by appealing for prayers and giving thanks.
Rahman said, “I ask you all to pray for my mother. My family and I will always be grateful for the deep emotion, love and respect that the people of this country and the world have shown us.”
It is reported that Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on November 23 after serious problems related to heart and lungs. In her last days, she was also suffering from pneumonia and remained under medical observation for 36 consecutive days.
A team of expert doctors from Bangladesh as well as Britain, America, China and Australia were engaged for his treatment.
Khaleda Zia, wife of former President Ziaur Rahman, had the distinction of becoming the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He served the country as Prime Minister three times and made his mark as a strong and influential leader in Bangladesh politics.
Meanwhile, the BNP Standing Committee held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to decide the future plan of the party after the death of Khaleda Zia.
The meeting, chaired by his son and acting BNP chief Tariq Rahman, began at Gulshan Office in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon.
According to a report in Bangladesh’s well-known newspaper Dhaka Tribune, many senior leaders including BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan attended it.
Khaleda Zia’s funeral will be held in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The interim government has declared three days of state mourning as well as a general holiday on the death of the former prime minister.
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Web Title-Son Tarique Rahman Pays Tribute to Khaleda Zia, Says, She Was a Loving Mother Who Dedicated Her Entire Life to Bangladesh
