Bangladesh marked Wednesday a national holiday, and the country will observe three days of national mourning till Saturday (January 3, 2026). BNP has called for seven days of mourning for Zia who led the party for more than four decades as its undisputed leader. Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and Assistant High Commissions in Kolkata and Agartala will open condolence books for visitors. President Zia and the BNP were the proponents of the concept of SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation). Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies who had known Zia for more than 50 years.

Source: The Hindu December 31, 2025 19:29 UTC