Pakistan Speaker to Attend Khaleda Zia’s Janaza

Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will represent the government and people of Pakistan at the Namaz-e-Janaza of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, according to diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Islamabad.

Sadiq is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral prayers of the veteran leader, whose death on Tuesday morning has drawn widespread regional and international attention.

Earlier, the Pakistan government had decided to send Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as its representative at the Namaz-e-Janaza. The decision was later revised, with Islamabad opting to be represented by the Speaker of the National Assembly, reflecting the importance attached to the occasion.

Diplomatic sources said India’s decision to send External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to Bangladesh may have influenced Pakistan’s move to elevate its level of representation. The Indian government confirmed on Tuesday evening that Dr Jaishankar would attend the Namaz-e-Janaza on behalf of India.

Begum Khaleda Zia, a two-time Prime Minister and one of Bangladesh’s most influential political leaders, passed away on Tuesday morning, prompting an outpouring of condolences from leaders across the world.

Bangladesh and Pakistan maintained relatively warm relations during Khaleda Zia’s terms in office between 1991–1996 and 2001–2006, marked by diplomatic engagement and bilateral cooperation.

Her death has been widely mourned at home and abroad, with world leaders paying tribute to her role in Bangladesh’s democratic process and her long-standing influence on regional politics.