Khaleda Zia: Begum the former prime minister of Bangladesh, died at the age of 80
Khaleda Zia: Begum the former prime minister of Bangladesh and the chairwoman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), died early on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, according to a statement released by the party on Facebook.
At the age of 80, she passed away.
According to the BNP, Khaleda Zia passed away soon after the Fajr prayer, at approximately six in the morning (local time). Through postings on its verified Facebook page, the party validated the information.
“Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00am, just after Fajr prayer,” according to the BNP. The group said, “We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul.”
On November 23, Begum Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the capital city of Dhaka due to a lung illness. The 80-year-old former prime minister has long suffered from a number of health conditions, such as renal problems, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
The former prime minister of Bangladesh was transported to London earlier this month to get cutting-edge medical care for her illnesses.
Her passing occurs at a pivotal political juncture as Bangladesh gets ready for national elections in February 2026 and as political tensions have increased since the July Uprising of last year.
The death of the former prime minister also comes after her son, BNP leader Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh after years of exile.
After being incarcerated in 2007–2008, Rahman fled the country and, after being freed, resided in London. Sheikh Hasina’s comeback was made possible by his acquittal in many instances brought during the Awami League tenure after the overthrow of his administration last year.
In what was seen as a significant political event ahead of the next elections, Tarique Rahman landed in Bangladesh last week and was greeted by a sizable contingent of party officials and supporters close to the airport.
He also paid her mother a visit at Evercare Hospital when Tarique arrived in the nation.
We are awaiting further information on Khaleda Zia’s formal programs and burial arrangements.