(FILES) Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia waves as she arrives to inaugurate the South Asian Football Fedaration (SAFF) championships in Dhaka on January 10, 2003. Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died on December 30, 2025 aged 80, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party said. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died aged 80, her party said.
The government declared three days of state mourning, with her funeral to be held today.
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Khaleda vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February – the first vote since a mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina last year.
Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely seen as a frontrunner, and her son Tarique Rahman, who returned only last Thursday after 17 years in exile, is seen a potential prime minister if they win a majority.
In late November, Khaleda was rushed to hospital, where, despite the best efforts of medics, her condition deteriorated from a raft of health issues.
Nevertheless, hours before her death, party workers had on Monday submitted nomination papers on her behalf for three constituencies for the polls.
“The BNP chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6am, just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer,” the party said in a statement yesterday.
“We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it added.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Bangladesh “has lost a great guardian”.
“Through her uncompromising leadership, the nation was repeatedly freed from undemocratic conditions and inspired to regain liberty,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a statement.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hoped Khaleda’s “vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership”, a warm message despite the strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka since Hasina’s fall.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Khaleda had been a “committed friend” to Islamabad, while China’s ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen offered his condolences.
Braving cold rain, mourners gathered yesterday outside the hospital in Dhaka where Khaleda’s body rests.
Three-time prime minister Khaleda was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Hasina’s government. — AFP
