Sheikh Hasina expresses deep grief over Khaleda Zia death
Bangladesh has lost one of its most prominent political figures. Begum Khaleda Zia, the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the nation’s first female Prime Minister, passed away early Tuesday morning. She was 80 years old. The former leader had been undergoing intensive treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka before her demise.
In a significant gesture of political grace, Awami League Chairperson Sheikh Hasina issued a formal statement expressing her deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia passing. Hasina acknowledged the vital role Zia played in the country’s democratic struggles and her historical legacy as a leader. She noted that Zia’s death marks a major loss for the political fabric of Bangladesh and the BNP leadership.
"I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia's soul," Hasina stated in a post shared by her party. She extended her heartfelt sympathies to Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and the grieving members of the BNP family, wishing them the strength to navigate this difficult period.
According to a statement released by the BNP, the former Prime Minister breathed her last around 6:00 am, shortly after the Fajr prayers. Zia’s health had been a subject of national concern for several years. She was hospitalized on November 23 following a severe lung infection. Her medical history was complex, involving long-term battles with heart disease, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications. Just earlier this month, she had traveled to London to seek advanced medical intervention for these various ailments.
As the news spread, an emotional crowd gathered outside the hospital gates. Her son and the Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, arrived at the hospital to pay his respects. The passing of Begum Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era in South Asian politics, leaving a legacy that defined decades of governance in Bangladesh.
