In brief
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, passed away from a prolonged illness at the age of 80. Hundreds of thousands gathered in Dhaka to pay their respects during her state funeral, marking the end of her notable political journey. Mourners expressed admiration for her contributions, particularly for women's education, and recognized her resilience in the face of political adversity. Zia's legacy as a leader who stood firm for democracy continues to resonate with her supporters, reflecting her profound impact on Bangladesh's political landscape.
Hundreds of thousands of people travelled from across Bangladesh to the capital Dhaka on Wednesday to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Zia, who was the country's first female prime minister, died on Tuesday from a prolonged illness. She was 80.
The mourners held out their hands in prayer and carried flags printed with her photographs as a motorcade carrying Zia's body - including the hearse wrapped with the national flag - drove on streets near the parliament house.
Flags were flown at half-mast and thousands of security officers were deployed.
I have come this far just to say goodbye. I know I won't be able to see her face, but at least I could see the [vehicle] carrying her for the last rites, Setara Sultana, an activist from Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), told the BBC.
Sharmina Siraj, a mother of two, called Zia an inspiration, noting that stipends introduced by the former leader to improve women's education made a huge impact on her daughters.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Bhutan's Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel were among those who attended the funeral.
Zia was buried next to her husband Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981 while serving as president - an incident that thrust Zia into the political limelight.
She went on to lead the BNP in the country's first elections in 20 years and became a symbol of resistance against military dictatorship. Zia's legacy continues through her son, Tarique Rahman, who plans to lead the party back to power.
The passionate turnout of mourners from various backgrounds illustrates her enduring popularity, transcending party lines as Bangladesh reflects on the life of a leader who left a significant mark on its history.
