Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, Khalida Zua who was suffering from various ailments since the last one year has passed away at the age of 80.
She had been battling several health issues, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, and lung infections.
According to the latest news the Bangladesh’s first prime minister Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and was known for her strong leadership and rivalry with Sheikh Hasina her counterpart from Awami League party , daughter of the first PM and architect of Bangladesh, freeing it from Pakistan with the help of India under the able tenure of late prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Her death has been met with condolences from world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
The BNP has announced a seven-day mourning period, and Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning. Khaleda Zia’s funeral will be held on December 31, and she will be buried beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman ¹ ².
Khaleda Zia’s political legacy is complex and multifaceted. from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. Her tenure as first female prime minister from 1991 was marked by significant reforms, including making primary education free and compulsory, introducing value-added tax (VAT), and promoting private enterprise.
She introduced VAT, formulated Bank Company Act (1991) and Financial Institutions Act (1993), and established a privatization board (1993), made primary education free and compulsory, and education free for girls until 10th grade. On the women’s empowerment front she enhanced literacy rates and created a vast female workforce. She also promoted neighborly relations, regional cooperation, and adherence to UN Charter of Human Rights
However, her legacy is also marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. Her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, the previous Prime Minister, has shaped Bangladesh’s politics for decades.
Prime minister Narendra Modi while expressing his deepest condolences on her demise said : Deeply saddened from the news of passing away of the former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Begam Khalida Zia in Dhaka. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the strength to bear this irreparable loss. He significant contributions to the development of Bangladesh and the advancement of India bangladesh relations and the country’s first female prime minister will remain forever memorable. I recall my friendly meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her thoughts and legacy will continue to guide our partnership in the future as well. I pray for the peace of her soul wrote PM Modi on X
