Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, visited the High Commission of Bangladesh to express to condole the death of the country’s former and first female prime minister and the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away last week, on December 30th 2025, after being critically ill, and was given a state funeral which was attended by government officials of many countries; including Pakistan and India.
At the High Commission, PM Sharif met the Bangladeshi Charge d’Affaires and also recorded his message in the condolence book. He remembered the legacy of Khaleda Zia, and describer her as a “visionary leader” and an “eminent political figure.”
Read More: Bangladesh’s First Female PM Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80
He extended condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the people of Pakistan, and noted that the late chairperson of one of two major political parties of Bangladesh was a “sincere” friend of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Atta Ullah Tarar, and Special Assistance to PM Tariq Fatemi.
Last week, on Wednesday, the speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq traveled to Dhaka to attend the state funeral of Khaleda Zia, where he also met the Bangladeshi Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus.
Read More: Sadiq Calls Handshake with Jaishankar ‘Surprising’ During Dhaka Visit
A handshake between Sadiq and Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, at the funeral, caught the attention of many observers; since it was the first such moment shared by the two countries after the air has remained tense and hostile since May 2025’s limited military confrontation.
Chief Advisor Yunus took this opportunity to propose the revival of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) – a regional bloc that has remained dormant due to the enduring animosity between Pakistan and India.
For Bangladesh, the passing of Khaleda Zia comes at a time when the country will hold its most significant general elections in February. With BNP, being a power contender, eyes are fixed on Khaleda Zia’s son, and how he will lead the election campaign.
