Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today affirmed that "the SAARC spirit is alive and well," highlighted by the strong attendance and solidarity shown by South Asian nations at the funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Professor Yunus expressed his deep appreciation for the respect shown by SAARC member states towards the late three-time Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who was also the world's second female Muslim head of government.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, high-level delegations from across South Asia attended the funeral in Dhaka. Notable attendees included Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, and Maldives Minister of Higher Education and Labour Ali Haider Ahmed. The visiting dignitaries later paid courtesy calls on Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, as reported by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
The dignitaries paid tribute to late Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her lifelong advocacy for democracy and efforts to foster unity among South Asian nations. They were reportedly impressed by the significant turnout at the funeral, reflecting the high regard in which she was held. Professor Yunus noted, "It shows how much people truly loved her."
During the meetings, Professor Yunus emphasized the importance of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He remarked, "We witnessed a true SAARC spirit at the funeral yesterday. SAARC is still alive." He reiterated this sentiment during his discussion with Maldives Minister Ali Haider Ahmed and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, stating, "The SAARC was in action yesterday. We shared our grief and sorrow together."
Professor Yunus also mentioned his past efforts to convene an informal gathering of SAARC leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, expressing hope for SAARC's revitalization as a meaningful platform for nearly two billion people in South Asia.
The discussions also covered the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh, with Professor Yunus asserting the country's readiness to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections on February 12. He informed Pakistan's parliamentary speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of his plan to return to his previous professional role post-elections.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan and Nepalese foreign ministers expressed interest in Bangladesh's introduction of postal voting for its expatriate population. Professor Yunus disclosed that approximately 700,000 Bangladeshis abroad have registered for postal ballots, following the interim government's introduction of the system for the first time in the country's history. Sri Lankan Minister Vijitha Herath remarked, "We will learn from your experiences."