Foreign ministers and senior representatives from several South Asian countries are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and pay their last respects.
Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nepalese Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will be present at the funeral. Khaleda Zia’s burial will take place later the same day.
Pakistan’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, is also set to attend. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the visit in a post on social media platform X yesterday, stating that the speaker would represent Pakistan at the funeral.
Diplomatic sources said a number of foreign ministers, special envoys, and senior representatives from various countries are expected to join the funeral and offer condolences in person. The presence of high‑level dignitaries underscores Khaleda Zia’s long‑standing political stature and her role in regional relations during her tenure as prime minister.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to arrive in Dhaka to pay his respects. Bhutanese Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel has also confirmed his visit, along with the Maldives president’s special envoy and Minister of Higher Education, Ali Haider Ahmed.
Officials added that representatives from several other countries are scheduled to travel to Dhaka to attend the funeral and express condolences to the family of the former prime minister and to the people of Bangladesh.
Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first elected female prime minister and a three‑time head of government, died Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of tributes at home and abroad.
