Prof Yunus engages in talks with Khaleda Zia at Senakunja

Bangla Press Desk:  Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus on Friday held a one-on-one conversation with BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia during a programme at Senakunja, the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ convention centre in Dhaka Cantonment.

According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the two leaders exchanged greetings and spoke briefly on the sidelines of the Armed Forces Day 2025 reception.

During the conversation, Prof Yunus inquired about Khaleda Zia’s health and wished her a speedy recovery.

In return, Khaleda Zia asked about the health of Afrozi Yunus, the chief adviser’s wife, and conveyed her best wishes.

Later, senior leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) paid a courtesy call on Khaleda Zia and exchanged greetings, BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said.

Khaleda Zia’s youngest daughter-in-law, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, and other family members were also present.

The BNP chairperson attended the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja for the first time in a year, sitting next to the head of the interim government.

She and Prof Yunus were similarly seen conversing in the same row during the 2024 programme, held amid the evolving situation following the 5 August changeover.

This year, Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister, arrived at the venue around 4pm and was welcomed by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.

Wearing a lavender chiffon saree, she was assisted to her seat in a wheelchair and greeted attendees by waving.

Several senior BNP leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, also attended the event, Shayrul added.

The Chief Adviser’s Office organised the programme, which began shortly after 4pm with the national anthem, followed by a speech delivered by the chief adviser.

Khaleda Zia’s appearance marked her first participation in a state-organised event in six years since her imprisonment in February 2018, resuming public presence with her attendance at Armed Forces Day in 2024.

BP/SP