Tarique Rahman’s mother wants to take forward Khaleda Zia’s unfinished work

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s eldest son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has promised to take forward his mother’s unfinished work. He said, ‘My mother served the people relentlessly throughout her life. Today, I deeply feel her responsibility and legacy. With concentration and responsibility, I promise: I will try to take forward the path where my mother’s path stopped. For those whose love and faith gave her strength and inspiration till her last breath.’
Tarique Rahman made this promise in his verified Facebook post today, Thursday (January 1). Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia died while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital on December 30. The eldest son of the deceased is BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. In the post, he mentioned, “With deep sorrow and gratitude, I buried my beloved mother, the first teacher of my life, three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia next to my father, martyred President Ziaur Rahman. The void of her absence cannot be expressed in words. However, the unprecedented presence of the people of the country did not allow me to suffer from loneliness in this difficult moment.”
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, “I am deeply moved by the love and respect of countless leaders, workers, well-wishers, family and countrymen. The way millions of people have come to pay their respects, give love and stand by us during this difficult time has reminded me once again: she was not just my mother; in many ways she was the mother of the entire nation.”
In a Facebook post, Tarique Rahman mentioned, “Top representatives of various South Asian countries, global diplomats and development partners came to pay their respects in person and I am deeply grateful.” I also express my sincere gratitude to the countries that expressed condolences. Your sympathy has touched our hearts deeply.’
In this moment of mourning, I remember my beloved father, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, and brother Arafat Rahman Koko. Today, soaked in the love of so many people, it feels like the whole of Bangladesh has become my family, overcoming the void of losing a loved one. May Allah grant peace to my mother’s soul and may we find strength, unity and patriotism from the infinite love, sacrifice and generosity she gave to all of us.