National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday visited the residence of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka to express condolences on her passing. The visit was part of Pakistan’s official outreach to convey sympathy following the death of the veteran Bangladeshi leader.
During the visit, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and her daughter, offering his heartfelt condolences and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family. He conveyed deep sorrow over the loss and paid tribute to Khaleda Zia’s long political career and her role in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
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Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s daughter thanked the National Assembly Speaker for his visit, condolences and participation in the funeral prayers. They appreciated the gesture as a sign of respect and goodwill during a moment of national mourning in Bangladesh.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in Dhaka at the residence of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Sadiq is on a visit to attend the funeral of the Bangladeshi leader and offered his condolences to her family. pic.twitter.com/lpkp1mgUbp
— News PMC (@newspmc_pk) December 31, 2025
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also met Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, where he conveyed condolences on behalf of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. The meeting reflected Pakistan’s official stance in sharing grief with the people and leadership of Bangladesh over the former prime minister’s demise.
In addition, the NA Speaker held discussions with Bangladesh’s Law Adviser, during which matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement and cooperation between the two countries.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She served as prime minister in 1991 and later emerged as a central figure in Bangladeshi politics, developing a long-standing rivalry with Sheikh Hasina as both leaders alternated in power over decades.
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Despite being out of office since 2006 and facing years of imprisonment and house arrest, Khaleda Zia remained an influential political figure. Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) continues to enjoy significant public support and is widely seen as a strong contender in the parliamentary elections scheduled for February.