Zahiruddin (diplomat)

Zahiruddin was the Minister of Education and Health of Pakistan before the Independence of Bangladesh.^[3]

In 1975, after the assassination of President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état, Pakistan established ties with Bangladesh.^[4][3] Pakistan was the first country to recognize the new administration following the coup.^[3] In December 1975, Mohammad Khurshid was appointed the first High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh and Zahiruddin was appointed the first High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan.^[4][5] He said it was good to be back in Pakistan.^[1] He presented his credentials to President Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry on 1 January 1976.^[6] While Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto asked how could he called Zahiruddin an ambassador and praised him as a brother in arms.^[7] During his term, Tabarak Hossain, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, visited Pakistan on an official visit from 26 to 30 August 1977.^[8]

Zahiruddin was an ambassador of Bangladesh to Myanmar from 20 June 1978 to 1 August 1980.^[9] He succeeded Syed Anwarul Karim.^[10]

Zahiruddin died on 2 February 1980.^[11] President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, sent message of condolence to President of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, following Zahiruddin's death.^[11]