Bangladesh Mourns Loss of Pioneering PM Khaleda Zia
The nation has lost a trailblazing leader and the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, who passed away at the ripe age of 80. Zia's untimely demise marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, one that was defined by her unwavering stance against military dictatorship.
Zia's remarkable journey to the top began after the tragic death of her husband, former president and military hero Ziaur Rahman, who had fought for democracy but was cut down by a military coup in 1981. Undeterred, she took up his mantle, forging an unyielding stance against the oppressive regime.
Zia's rise to power in 1991 was met with widespread acclaim, as she championed the cause of democracy and human rights. However, her two-term tenure was marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption that led to her ouster in 1996. Her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, took over as prime minister and has remained a thorn in Zia's side for decades.
The bitter rivalry between the two women became increasingly polarizing, with Zia facing multiple cases of corruption, including a 10-year jail sentence in 2018 that was widely seen as politically motivated. Her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was subjected to routine harassment and oppression under Hasina's rule.
Despite years of imprisonment and health issues, Zia remained resolute, vowing to contest elections in 2026, which would have marked a significant comeback for her party. However, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to her hospitalization and eventual passing on Tuesday morning.
The interim prime minister has hailed Zia as a symbol of the democratic movement, while her son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh to contest elections, with his party expected to be the frontrunners. Zia is set to be buried in Dhaka alongside her husband, marking the end of an era for Bangladeshi politics that will be deeply missed by those who knew and admired her unwavering dedication to democracy and human rights.
The nation has lost a trailblazing leader and the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, who passed away at the ripe age of 80. Zia's untimely demise marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, one that was defined by her unwavering stance against military dictatorship.
Zia's remarkable journey to the top began after the tragic death of her husband, former president and military hero Ziaur Rahman, who had fought for democracy but was cut down by a military coup in 1981. Undeterred, she took up his mantle, forging an unyielding stance against the oppressive regime.
Zia's rise to power in 1991 was met with widespread acclaim, as she championed the cause of democracy and human rights. However, her two-term tenure was marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption that led to her ouster in 1996. Her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, took over as prime minister and has remained a thorn in Zia's side for decades.
The bitter rivalry between the two women became increasingly polarizing, with Zia facing multiple cases of corruption, including a 10-year jail sentence in 2018 that was widely seen as politically motivated. Her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was subjected to routine harassment and oppression under Hasina's rule.
Despite years of imprisonment and health issues, Zia remained resolute, vowing to contest elections in 2026, which would have marked a significant comeback for her party. However, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to her hospitalization and eventual passing on Tuesday morning.
The interim prime minister has hailed Zia as a symbol of the democratic movement, while her son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh to contest elections, with his party expected to be the frontrunners. Zia is set to be buried in Dhaka alongside her husband, marking the end of an era for Bangladeshi politics that will be deeply missed by those who knew and admired her unwavering dedication to democracy and human rights.
she was a trailblazer for sure, but i think her legacy is kinda messy 
, all this back and forth with hasina was toxic 
... anyway, it's sad to see her go, 80 yrs young is no joke 
, i'm not saying she was perfect or anything, but you gotta respect the impact she had on bangladeshi politics 
. People say she was corrupt but I don't know if that's entirely fair 
. She did challenge the military regime and fight for democracy which is no easy feat 
. Hasn't he faced similar corruption allegations? 
. She had an incredible impact on Bangladeshi politics and it's sad that her time has come 
now with Tarique Rahman back in the game, I'm predicting a wild 2026 election season 
democracy needs leaders like her 
the people will remember 
just passed away... what a legacy she leaves behind 
wasnt always easy for her though 
struggling with corruption charges & facing opposition from Sheikh Hasina's govt 
but she never gave up 
vowing to come back strong in 2026 ... sadly that didn't happen 
. Hope the nation can find closure and move forward in peace 
. The rivalry between Zia and Sheikh Hasina might have been intense, but you can't deny their impact on Bangladesh's politics 
. RIP Khaleda Zia 
As the first female PM, she paved the way for other women to enter politics 
It's also interesting to see her son Tarique Rahman returning to contest elections after years in exile - it'll be worth keeping an eye on that development 
just can't believe she's gone 
. Her fight against the military regime was so inspiring, and her commitment to democracy and human rights is still an example we should all strive for 
. I've heard she had some tough times under Sheikh Hasina's rule 
. It's a shame she won't be there to see the 2026 elections and maybe even become PM again 
. She'll be deeply missed by many, especially those who lived through Bangladesh's tumultuous history 
. yeah, her rivalry with hasina was super intense, but it just shows how passionate she was about democracy and human rights.
but she did it with so much conviction. i'm sure her legacy will live on through tarique and the bnp party 
, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a brighter future for Bangladesh