A condolence motion was adopted at the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad expressing grief over the deaths of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and several other distinguished national and international personalities.

The motion was placed at the beginning of Thursday’s session by Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed.

While presenting the motion, it was stated that the nation lost Khaleda Zia on December 30, 2025.

A three-time prime minister and an uncompromising leader of democracy, she was also the second female prime minister in the Muslim world and a former leader of the opposition in parliament. Her contributions to safeguarding democracy in Bangladesh were described as memorable and significant. The House expressed deep sorrow and grief at her passing.

In addition to Bangladeshi leaders, parliament also expressed condolences over the deaths of several influential international figures, including former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The House also adopted condolence motions for 31 former members of parliament, including former president A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury.

Among the notable figures mentioned were Matia Chowdhury, former deputy leader of parliament; K. M. Shafiullah, retired major general and the first chief of army staff; Abdullah Al Noman, former minister; Mostafa Mohsin Montu; Abdul Karim Khandaker; and Ramesh Chandra Sen, among other political personalities.

The condolence motion also mentioned the army officer who was killed during the Bangladesh Rifles Mutiny.

Following the presentation of the motion, members of parliament took part in the discussion.