Khaleda Zia’s Death a Loss for Bangladesh, Says Muhammad Yunus

Dhaka, Dec 30: Bangladesh is in mourning following the death of Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She passed away at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment for serious heart and lung infections, along with pneumonia. She was 80.

The Chief Adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow over her passing, calling her a “proven stateswoman” and praising her leadership. Yunus said, “Through her uncompromising leadership, the nation was repeatedly freed from undemocratic conditions and inspired to regain liberty.” He lauded her contributions to democracy, multi-party politics, and citizens’ rights, calling her “a great guardian of Bangladesh.”

Zia’s funeral (namaz-e-janaza) is expected to be held on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, BNP leaders said. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who returned from self-imposed exile in the UK last week, has been at her bedside and is expected to play a central role in BNP’s future leadership if the party returns to power.

A dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics for over three decades, Khaleda Zia served three terms as Prime Minister, first rising to power in 1991. She was the widow of Gen Ziaur Rahman, a freedom fighter and former military ruler. Despite her controversial political career, she remained a central figure shaping the country’s modern political landscape.

Her death comes after a period of political turbulence, including her imprisonment on corruption charges in 2018 during Sheikh Hasina’s administration. She was released last year amid mass anti-government protests that forced Hasina into exile. Observers suggest that Zia’s passing may influence the upcoming elections, potentially strengthening the BNP’s position as public sympathy surges.