Bangladesh’s Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Passes Away After Prolonged Illness

Dhaka: Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who had been battling serious health issues for a long time. According to a statement from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), her condition worsened late Monday night. Plans were made to airlift her to London for further treatment via a special Qatar-based aircraft, but the medical board did not approve her transfer from Evercare Hospital to Dhaka Airport.

Khaleda Zia, born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur district, was a towering figure in Bangladesh politics. She was the widow of former President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981. Following her husband’s death, Khaleda Zia assumed leadership of the BNP and quickly became one of the country’s most influential political leaders.

She holds the distinction of being Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, serving three terms: 1991–1996, March–June 1996, and 2001–2006. Her death comes at a politically sensitive time, just ahead of national elections scheduled for February, in which her son Tarique Rahman has recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile.

Health Struggles and Hospitalization
Khaleda Zia had been suffering from multiple age-related ailments, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart and respiratory complications. She had been under treatment at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was placed on ventilator support on December 11. Two days prior to her death, doctors described her condition as “critical.” The BNP confirmed that she was declared dead around 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

A Life of Political Struggle
Khaleda Zia’s political career was marked by both achievements and controversies. Her administration focused on economic reforms, privatization, and infrastructure development but faced criticism over corruption, extremism, and minority rights. Her long-standing political rivalry with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is considered one of the fiercest in Bangladesh’s political history.

Imprisonment and Family
Khaleda Zia had been imprisoned since 2018 over a corruption case. Her party and family repeatedly appealed to the government for permission to seek medical treatment abroad, but these requests were denied. She leaves behind her only son, Tarique Rahman, his wife, and daughter. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Coco, passed away in Malaysia several years ago.

Born into a business family, Khaleda received her early education at Dinajpur Missionary School and completed her matriculation from Dinajpur Girls’ School in 1960. Known affectionately as “Putul” within her family, she grew up with three sisters and two brothers.

Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladesh politics and comes at a time when the nation faces significant political uncertainty ahead of upcoming elections.