Bangladesh has plunged into deep shock and mourning at the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in the country's political history. 

Her passing marks the end of an era and has prompted an outpouring of grief, reflection, and political tributes from across the nation and the world.

The United Nations (UN), the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan and other countries have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in a televised address to the nation announced a three-day state mourning from tomorrow at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. 

He also declared a general holiday tomorrow, the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza. 

"Today, our entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow . . . With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian," the Chief Adviser said in his address.

"At this moment of profound grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences -- on behalf of the entire nation -- to her family, political colleagues and countless leaders, activists and supporters," Prof Yunus said.

Begum Khaleda Zia will be laid to eternal rest beside her husband Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's grave in the city following her namaj-e-janaza tomorrow.

The janaza will be held at the Jatiya Sangsad South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue after Johr prayers. 

The Council of Advisers held a special meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna this morning following the demise of Begum Zia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting at a special invitation.

After the meeting, Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul briefed the media in front of the Jamuna.

At the outset of the meeting, members of the Council of Advisers observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the three-time former Prime Minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement, and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

They also offered prayers seeking forgiveness for Begum Khaleda Zia's departed soul.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat (prayer).

The meeting also adopted a condolence motion over Khaleda Zia's death. 

Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan read out the motion.

During the three days of state mourning, Prof Asif Nazrul said, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

In addition, special prayers and Munajat will be arranged tomorrow at every mosque across the country seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, he said, adding, special prayers will also be organized at places of worship of other religions.

According to the decision of the meeting, the law adviser said, condolence books will be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad at the death of the former Prime Minister.

Advisers of the interim government, political parties, cultural and social organizations, professional bodies, institutions also mourned her death with issuing condolence messages.

Social media users also expressed condolences sharing Begum Zia's photos and videos of various periods. 

Begum Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister thrice, was one of the most influential and consequential leaders in Bangladesh's post-independence politics. 

As the widow of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, she rose from a largely apolitical background to become a central figure in shaping the country's democratic trajectory. 

Her leadership of the BNP for decades defined politics and electoral competition in Bangladesh.

News of her death spread rapidly, casting a pall of sorrow across the country. 

BNP offices nationwide were filled with grieving leaders and supporters, while party flags were lowered to half-mast. 
Thousands of activists, well-wishers, and ordinary citizens gathered to pay their respects, recalling her role in political movements, electoral battles, and the restoration of parliamentary democracy in the 1990s.

Political leaders from across the spectrum expressed condolences, acknowledging her enduring impact on national politics despite deep partisan divisions. 

Messages of sympathy also poured in from abroad, reflecting her international stature as a former head of government and a key South Asian political leader.

Begum Khaleda Zia's political life was marked by various achievements and challenges. 

She played a pivotal role in the mass uprising that led to the fall of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad and was instrumental in steering the country toward democratic governance. 

In recent years, prolonged illness had kept her largely out of active politics, heightening public concern over her health. Her death has now left a profound void in the political arena of Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh mourns, Begum Khaleda Zia will be remembered as a leader who shaped decades of political discourse, mobilized millions, and left an indelible imprint on the nation's democratic struggle. 

BNP will observe seven days of mourning following the death of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, the party announced today. 

As part of the programme, black flags will be hoisted at all BNP offices across the country for seven days. Leaders and activists at all levels of the party will wear black badges during the mourning period. Prayers will be held at every party office.

Condolence books will be opened at the BNP offices, including the party chairperson's office in Gulshan, the central office at Nayapaltan, and district-level offices, where political leaders and well-wishers will be able to write messages paying tribute.

Adviser to the Ministries of Finance and Science and Technology Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to information and broadcasting, environment, forest and climate change and water resources ministries Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and other advisers mourned the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Dr Mustafizur Rahman Iran, Janata Party Bangladesh (JPB) acting chairman Golam Sarwar Milon and acting secretary general Md Asaduzzaman expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Begum Zia.

Since the news of the death of Begum Zia was announced, a cross section of people including leaders and workers of BNP and its associate and affiliated bodies gathered in front of the Evercare Hospital in the capital where she passed away at 6am today.

Many mourners were seen expressing their grief to media in tearful voices in front of the hospital. 

Quran recitation and a special doa mahfil was held at the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan in the capital, seeking forgiveness and eternal peace of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated bodies joined the doa mahfil.

Besides, special prayers were offered at mosques and other places of worships across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed soul, said BNP sources.

Leaders and workers also gathered at party offices across the country to express their grief and hold programme following the directives of the party high command.

Our Bogura Correspondent reports: A deep sense of grief has enveloped Bogura at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Since Tuesday morning, large number of mourners have gathered in different parts of the district, particularly in Bagbari areas of Gabtoli upazila, places closely associated with the memory of Shahed President Ziaur Rahman. A prayer mahfil was organized in Bagbari seeking eternal peace and forgiveness for the departed soul of the veteran leader.

As the daughter-in-law of Bogura, Begum Khaleda Zia shared a deep domestic and emotional bond with the people of the district. 

Born on August 15, 1945 in Dinajpur, Khaleda Khanam Putul came to Bagbari village of Gabtoli in 1960 after marrying Ziaur Rahman, who was then a captain in the Pakistan Army. During the Liberation War and for many years afterward, she led a quiet life as a housewife, caring for her family and children.

In Feni, a pall of gloom descended across the district at the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. 

Khaleda Zia hailed from the village of Sreepur in Fulgazi upazila of the district. She was a five-time Member of Parliament, securing landslide victories in the Feni-1 constituency, and served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on three occasions, in addition to leading the opposition twice.

Her leadership brought significant development to the district, and her passing is being mourned by people from all walks of life. Many consider her a major figure in the political and infrastructural transformation of Feni.

Dinajpur correspondent reports: The death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was born in Dinajpur, has deeply saddened the people of the district. 

Her passing has cast a heavy shadow of mourning across the area, with party leaders, activists, and local residents all expressing their grief.

When the news of Begum Zia's death broke this morning, people from all corners of Dinajpur, including leaders and activists from 13 upazilas, 103 unions, and 9 municipalities, gathered at the BNP district office in Ganeshtala. 

The sadness was evident in the eyes of everyone present, as they mourned the loss of their beloved leader.

Meanwhile, the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, got wide coverage in the international media.

Leading global news agencies and media including AFP, AP, Reuters, BBC, The Guardian, PTI and The Times of India ran reports on her long political career and leadership.

Various organizations, institutions and professional bodies including Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), University Grants Commission (UGC), Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University (JU), University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (UTAB), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP),  Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh Badminton Federation, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology and Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University have expressed condolences at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.

The DU authorities today announced three-day mourning over the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

All classes and examinations at the university will remain suspended from Tuesday to Thursday, a DU press release said.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has expressed full support to the government's decision and requested the authorities concerned to declare a one-day general holiday on December 31 at all garment factories affiliated with the association.