Leaders Remembered
The inaugural sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday adopted a comprehensive condolence motion mourning the deaths of former prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khaleda Zia, several political figures, and those who died during the July 2024 uprising.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed placed the motion at the beginning of the sitting, expressing deep sorrow at the passing of Khaleda Zia, former members of parliament, and other distinguished national and international personalities.
Khaleda Zia, who died on 30 December 2025, was remembered as one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political leaders.
The motion noted her roles as a three-time prime minister, twice leader of the opposition in parliament, and one of the earliest female heads of government in the Muslim world.
During the proceedings, members proposed that the motion also include the names of several leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami who had been
convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) for crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
Accordingly, the motion was expanded to include former Jamaat ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Maulana Abdus Subhan, Abdul Quader Mollah, Mir Quasem Ali and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, as well as former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.
Nizami and Mujahid had served as ministers in the BNP-Jamaat alliance government between 2001 and 2006, while Sayeedi had been elected to parliament.
The individuals named in the motion had been convicted by the tribunal between 2012 and 2016 on charges including crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War.
Opposition Deputy Leader and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher criticised the initial version of the motion as incomplete and called for the inclusion of additional names to ensure broader representation in the parliamentary tribute.
He proposed adding several figures including Sharif Osman Hadi, Abdus Sobhan, Sheikh Ansar Ali, Riyasat Ali, Abdul Khaleq Mondol, Hafeza Asma Khatun, Rokeya Ansar, Sultana Razia, Rasheda Khatun, AKM Yusuf and Professor Nazir Ahmed. The Speaker subsequently approved their inclusion.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam and opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam also proposed adding several other personalities, including Gautam Chakroborty, MA Matin, Mujibur Rahman Monju, Anwarul Hossain Khan, Air Vice Marshal AK Khandker, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, Abrar Fahad and Felani Khatun, which were incorporated into the motion.
The House also paid tribute to those killed during the July 2024 uprising, including Abu Sayed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, Shahariar Khan Anas, Mehdi Hasan Jewel and Farhan Faiyaz. Former BNP lawmaker Ilias Ali, who disappeared in 2012, was also remembered.
In addition, the session paid tribute to those who died in several national tragedies, including the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown, the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, and the recent jet crash at Milestone School and College.
The Speaker clarified that those killed in the Shapla Chattar incident would be identified as members of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
Earlier in the day, the maiden sitting of the 13th parliament began at 11:05 am with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman delivered a brief address, emphasising the need to safeguard national interests and work for the welfare of the people.
In the absence of the former Speaker and Deputy Speaker following the fall of the previous government, senior politician Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain presided over the opening proceedings.
Later, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was elected Speaker and Kayser Kamal was elected Deputy Speaker.
Following their election, the House considered condolence motions for Khaleda Zia, former presidents and MPs, national and international figures, and those who died in the July uprising and other incidents.
The session also paid tribute to several prominent international personalities, including former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Pope Francis and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Several lawmakers took part in the discussion on the motion. Anindya Islam Amit, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, ATM Azharul Islam, Salahuddin Ahmed and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke about Khaleda Zia’s political career and her role in national politics.
The sacrifices of those who died during the July 2024 uprising were highlighted by Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nahid Islam, Zonayed Saki and Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee.
The sitting concluded with a minute of silence and prayers led by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad for the departed.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed later announced that copies of the condolence motion would be sent to the families of those remembered.
The motion was adopted unanimously as the first formal act of the 13th parliament.
