Top political leaders from several countries are set to arrive in Dhaka to pay their final respects to BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday morning.
As of 8pm, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday to pay respects on behalf of the Indian government.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, and Maldives’ Minister of Education Ismail Shafeeu are also expected to join him in Dhaka.
Besides, Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath is arriving as well.
Multiple officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to TIMES of Bangladesh that the dignitaries will arrive on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday to sign the condolence book. Earlier, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake sent a condolence letter to Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, expressing sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s demise, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias told TIMES.
The namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayers) for the former prime minister will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the parliament.
Following the janaza, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest at 3:30pm beside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Chandrima Udyan, located on the northern side of the Parliament complex.
