Bangladesh has lost a proven Stateswoman: Yunus on Khaleda Zia’s passing

Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow over the death of Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, and said that with Begum’s passing, the “country has lost an experienced and proven stateswoman.”
He lauded her leadership, saying, “Through her uncompromising leadership, the nation was repeatedly freed from undemocratic conditions and inspired to regain liberty.”

On her overall contribution to the nation, he said, “Begum Khaleda Zia was not merely the leader of a political party; she represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Her role in establishing democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people will be remembered forever. Despite political differences, her long political journey dedicated to national welfare, her people-oriented leadership, and her firm resolve always showed the way.”

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“The nation will remember her contributions to the country and its people with respect,” Yunus added, describing her as “a great guardian of Bangladesh.”
The funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, is likely to be held at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Wednesday.

“Khaleda Zia’s namaz-e-janaza may be held on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital tomorrow, Wednesday,” BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said as reported by Prothom Alo.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Zia, a controversial figure in the country’s turbulent political life for more than three decades, died at 6:00 am at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been undergoing treatment for the past five weeks. She was 80.
She was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Her son, Tarique Rahman, who had been living in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, returned to Bangladesh on Christmas to contest the upcoming elections and to be at her bedside.

Begum Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with serious infections affecting her heart and lungs, BNP officials said. She was also suffering from pneumonia, and her condition had steadily deteriorated in recent days.
In a statement, the BNP said: “The BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayers.”

Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics and is expected to have significant political implications. It may strengthen the BNP’s electoral prospects, as public sympathy is likely to surge following the death of the veteran leader. Khaleda Zia was the widow of Gen Ziaur Rahman, a freedom fighter and former military ruler of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia rose to power in 1991 after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to victory. She served as prime minister three times and remained one of the most influential figures in the country’s political history.
Khaleda Zia was jailed on corruption charges in 2018 during Hasina’s administration. She was released last year following mass anti-government protests that forced Hasina into exile.

The BNP has been preparing for a return to power, and party leaders have indicated that if the party wins the upcoming election, Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, is expected to take on national leadership.