Bangladesh mourns Khaleda Zia in state funeral with massive crowds

"Crowds flock to Dhaka's streets to mourn the loss of the former prime minister, who led Bangladesh thrice. Bangladesh bade farewell to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in a state funeral that drew vast crowds mourning a towering political figure whose leadership shaped the nation for decades. Zia, the first woman to serve as prime minister in the South Asian nation of 170 million people, died on Tuesday aged 80."

"Flags flew at half-mast across the country on Wednesday as thousands of security personnel lined Dhaka's streets while her flag-draped coffin travelled through the capital. Massive crowds gathered outside Bangladesh's parliament building for the funeral prayers. People from Dhaka and beyond streamed towards Manik Mia Avenue, where the parliament building is located, since early morning to pay their last respects."

"Retired government official Minhaz Uddin, 70, came despite never having voted for her. I came here with my grandson, just to say goodbye to a veteran politician whose contributions will always be remembered, he said, watching from behind a barbed wire barricade. Security was extensive, with authorities deploying approximately 10,000 personnel, including soldiers, to maintain order. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus's interim government announced three days of mourning and declared Wednesday a public holiday to honour the three-time prime minister's legacy."

Khaleda Zia, 80, received a state funeral in Dhaka, drawing vast crowds mourning a three-time prime minister. Flags flew at half-mast and about 10,000 security personnel lined the capital as her flag-draped coffin moved through Dhaka. Massive crowds gathered outside the parliament on Manik Mia Avenue for funeral prayers, with people streaming in since early morning. Zia entered politics after her husband's death, rose against a military ruler ousted in 1990, and first became prime minister in 1991. She led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party until her death, and the interim government declared three days of mourning and a public holiday.

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