Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed, on behalf of the Board of Directors, has expressed deep shock and sorrow on Tuesday at the death of BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

In a condolence message, the DCCI President said Khaleda Zia was the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second female prime minister in the Muslim world, noting that her leadership marked a significant chapter in the country’s political history.

He said she played a pioneering role in the struggle to restore and institutionalise democratic governance in Bangladesh and worked throughout her life to uphold the socio-economic and democratic rights of the people.

Her contributions to the nation will be remembered with profound respect, he added.

DCCI prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and convey strength to her bereaved family to bear the loss.

Khaleda Zia, who had been suffering from multiple health complications, was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) for advanced treatment.

The BNP chairperson and former prime minister passed away at the capital’s Evercare Hospital at 6:00am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment.