'Irreparable loss': Hasina mourns death of BNP chief Khaleda Zia
'I extend my heartfelt condolences to her son, Tarique Rahman, and to the other bereaved members of her family,' says Sheikh Hasina
Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, currently living in exile in India, has expressed sorrow at the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
In a condolence message, posted this morning (30 December) on the Awami League's Facebook page, Hasina said that as Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, Khaleda Zia's contributions to the movement for establishing democracy were immense.
The Awami League president described her longtime political rival Khaleda Zia's death as an irreparable loss to the country's current political landscape and to the leadership of the BNP.
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"I pray for the forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia's soul. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her son, Tarique Rahman, and to the other bereaved members of her family.
"I hope that Almighty Allah will help her family members and everyone in the BNP overcome this grief."
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina's son, also offered condolences to the bereaved family members.
Despite being subjected to a depoliticisation process in the past, throughout her political career she achieved a host of successes and shaped several policies for the country, Joy said in a Facebook post.
Khaleda Zia will be remembered for her contributions to nation-building, he said, adding that her "death is a blow to stabilise Bangladesh."
Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister, passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at around 6am today at the age of 79.
