Maldives Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Ali Haidar Ahmed will attend the state funeral of former prime minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia as the special envoy of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, official sources said on Tuesday.

The government of Bangladesh is according full state honours to the late former prime minister, who passed away on 30 December.

Earlier in the day, President Muizzu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh in a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account following Khaleda Zia’s death.

During his visit to Dhaka, Minister Dr Haidar is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Prof Muhammad Yunus, as well as members of Khaleda Zia’s bereaved family, said a statement.

He will convey condolences on behalf of the president, the government, and the people of the Maldives, reaffirming the close ties between the two countries, officials said.