Khaleda thanks all for condolences

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. File photo

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has thanked all for expressing their condolences and sympathies following the death of her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko.
“I like to thank and express my gratitude to all leaders and activists of different political parties including BNP and its allies, professionals, civil society members, dignitaries, business leaders, sportsmen and cultural activists who came to my office and expressed condolences and sympathies,” she said.  
“The consolation and sympathies I have received from people during my deep sorrow and shock have touched my heart,” the former prime minister said in a statement this evening.
Khaleda however alleged that Koko had been victimised and tortured only for being a member of Zia family though he had no involvement with politics.

A MOTHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE! Khaleda Zia breaks down in tears to see her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in coffin after his body was flown back home yesterday. Koko died in Malaysia on Saturday. Photo: BNP

She also thanked the representatives of different international organisations and diplomatic missions as they sent her condolence messages and visited her Gulshan office.  
“I felt sorry as they could not meet me during their visits to my office. I expect they will be able to consider it with compassion judging the entire situation,” said the former prime minister.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in front of BNP chief Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office. She went there to console Khaleda whose younger son Arafat Rahman Koko had died in Malaysia on Saturday.Hasina had to return without seeing her as Khaleda was sedated. Photo:PMO

Hours into the death of Koko in Malaysia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rushed to the Gulshan office but failed to meet her as she had been sedated reportedly to cope with the shock. Hasina had to returned from outside the office as the gate was locked from inside, creating an outcry across the country over the BNP leaders’ response to the premier.
Koko, who had been staying in Malaysia, died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday afternoon at his rented house in Kuala Lumpur. His body was flown back home on Tuesday and he was buried at Banani graveyard after a namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.