Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Tuesday. Both leaders took to X to convey condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh.
President Zardari praised Khaleda Zia’s leadership, saying her contributions to Bangladesh will be remembered with respect. He highlighted her role in shaping the country’s political landscape during her tenure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to Khaleda Zia, noting her lifelong dedication to Bangladesh’s growth and development. He described her as a “committed friend of Pakistan” and expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in their time of grief. “We stand with the people of Bangladesh in this moment of sorrow,” PM Shehbaz stated.
Both leaders prayed for the departed soul and for strength for her family and citizens of Bangladesh to cope with this loss.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister in 1991, passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Her health issues included advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, and chest and heart problems. She had traveled to London for medical treatment earlier in 2025, staying for four months before returning home.
Though out of power since 2006 and having spent several years under house arrest or in jail, Khaleda Zia and her centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) remained influential. The BNP is considered the frontrunner in the parliamentary elections scheduled for February. Her son, Tarique Rahman, the party’s acting chairman, recently returned from nearly 17 years in self-exile and is seen as a strong candidate for prime minister.
Since August 2024, Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, following a student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.
The passing of Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era in Bangladesh politics and has drawn condolences from leaders worldwide, highlighting her lasting impact on the country.
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