President Muizzu Appoints Minister Haidar as Special Envoy to Attend Khaleda Zia’s Funeral

Higher Education Minister Dr. Ali Haidar will attend the state funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia as the Special Envoy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a prominent figure in the country’s political history, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She had been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23 due to complications from a lung infection and other health issues, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and diabetes. During his visit to Bangladesh, Minister Haidar is scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Dr. Mouhammed Yunus and members of Khaleda Zia’s bereaved family. He will convey condolences on behalf of President Muizzu, the Maldivian government, and its people. Khaleda Zia’s funeral will be held on Wednesday at 14:00 Bangladesh time. Her political legacy, alongside her archrival Sheikh Hasina, shaped Bangladesh’s political landscape for decades. Despite facing imprisonment in corruption cases later in her career, Khaleda remained a significant figure, with her sentences eventually overturned or suspended due to her declining health.