Saima Wazed, the daughter of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on Thursday, expressed her deep sorrow on X, stating she is “heartbroken” for not being able to see her mother. Hasina, who is believed to be residing in Delhi currently, fled Dhaka on Monday after widespread protests against her premiership compelled her to resign. Notably, Wazed also resides in the national capital.
“Heartbroken with the loss of life in my country 🇧🇩 that I love. So heartbroken that I cannot see and hug my mother during this difficult time,” Saima wrote on X. “I remain committed to my role as RD @WHOSEARO @WHO #HealthForAll #OneWHO,” she added.
While the specific location of Hasina’s stay in Delhi remains unknown, reports indicate the former prime minister, who arrived with her sister Sheikh Rehana, has not yet been reunited with her daughter Saima.
Meanwhile, back in Bangladesh, the new interim government is preparing to take over, with Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus at its helm.
Yunus, who was flying back to Bangladesh on Thursday, is expected to be sworn in as the country’s new leader, potentially as early as Thursday evening. The army chief has pledged a “beautiful democratic process.” The prospect of Yunus working alongside military leaders was almost unimaginable a week ago when security forces were engaged in fatal confrontations with protesters demanding Hasina’s resignation.
“I’m looking forward to going back home, see what’s happening and how we can organise ourselves to get out of the trouble we are in,” Yunus told reporters at Paris airport on Wednesday.
Saima Wazed is the Regional Director (South East Asia) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), based out of Delhi. She was appointed to this position during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee, following her extensive contributions to the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. She assumed her role in February 2024. A psychologist by training, Wazed spent a significant part of her childhood as a refugee in India.
The student-led uprising has led to a dramatic turn of events in Bangladesh, marking the end of Hasina’s 15-year rule and setting the stage for a new chapter in the country’s political landscape.
