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BANGLADESH is in mourning following the death of Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister, who passed away on Tuesday morning after battling a prolonged illness.
Aljazeera today reported that the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) announced her passing in a statement, saying, “Our beloved national leader Khaleda Zia is no longer with us. She left us at 6am today.”
Khaleda, aged 80, had been suffering from a range of serious health issues, including advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, as well as chest and heart complications, according to her medical team.
She died at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, the capital, as reported by local media.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Bangladesh’s political history. Khaleda Zia, a key figure in the BNP and a trailblazer as the country’s first female head of government, played a defining role in national politics for decades.
Her leadership and legacy leave a lasting imprint on Bangladesh’s governance and democratic journey.
Party officials and political leaders have expressed deep sorrow over her death, highlighting her contributions to public service and her role as a pioneering woman in South Asian politics.
Tributes are expected to pour in as the nation comes to terms with the loss of one of its most influential political figures. - December 30, 2025