Dhaka, Dec 30 (TazaNow.com) — Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness at the age of 80. She died at around 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
The BNP said Zia had been suffering from multiple health issues, including heart and lung complications, and had been hospitalized for over a month.
In an official party statement, the BNP requested prayers for her soul and expressed deep sorrow over her passing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences on X, saying that Khaleda Zia’s significant contributions to Bangladesh’s development and India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered. Recalling his warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015, PM Modi added, “We hope her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership.”
Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, mourned her death and described her as a “great guardian” of the nation and a towering figure in the country’s democratic history. Yunus said her passing was an “irreparable loss” for Bangladesh.
Khaleda Zia served as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and held the office multiple times, leaving behind a long and impactful political legacy.
