Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey on Wednesday said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia was a towering figure in Bangladesh's political landscape and a trailblazer who broke barriers as the first woman to serve as prime minister of Bangladesh. “Her leadership across three terms demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Bangladeshi people,” she said in a message sent to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “It is with sadness that I learnt of the passing of the former prime minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia,” said the secretary general. On behalf of the Commonwealth family, she extended their deepest condolences to the family of the former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and to all the people of Bangladesh during this period of mourning. “Please accept, chief adviser, my deepest sympathies and the assurances of my highest consideration,” she said, extending her deepest condolences.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 07, 2026 17:27 UTC