Updated: December 30, 2025 12:24:53 PM IST
Khaleda Zia Death News Live Updates: She served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and returned to office for a second term from 2001 to 2006.
bangladesh news live updates: Former and first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda ZiaHis Bangladesh Nationalist Party announced that he died on Tuesday after several years of ill health and imprisonment. The country’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus announced three days of mourning for the former prime minister.
Zia, a longtime political rival of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, became the country’s first female prime minister in 1991 after leading the BNP to victory in the first free elections in more than a decade.
Although the three-time prime minister had been out of power since 2006 and spent several years in jail or under house arrest, she and the BNP continued to enjoy strong public support.
News of Khaleda Zia’s death: Main points
- Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and returned to office for a second term from 2001 to 2006.
- During her time in power, Khaleda shifted the country from a presidential system to a parliamentary system and placed power in the hands of the Prime Minister. He also relaxed restrictions on foreign investment and introduced free and compulsory primary education.
- The three-time prime minister was jailed on corruption charges in 2018 during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. At that time the government also barred him from traveling abroad for medical treatment.
- Khaleda faced several corruption cases which she described as politically motivated. In January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted him in the final case, a decision that would have allowed him to contest the general elections in February.
- After Hasina was ousted from office in 2024, the interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus allowed Zia to travel abroad. She went to London in January and returned to Bangladesh in May.
- Khaleda Zia stayed away from active politics for most of the years and did not participate in public rallies. However, she remained the BNP president until her death. His son Tariq Rehman has served as the party’s acting president since 2018.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his demise and remembered his role in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. He said he was “deeply saddened” by Khaleda’s death.
- Khaleda’s political rival Sheikh Hasina also expressed condolences and described her death as a big loss to the political life of the country. He said, “As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contribution to the nation was significant and she will be missed.”
- Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus also expressed grief, saying that the country has lost a great guardian in his demise.
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Zia, a longtime political rival of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, became the country’s first female prime minister in 1991 after leading the BNP to victory in the first free elections in more than a decade.
Although the three-time prime minister had been out of power since 2006 and spent several years in jail or under house arrest, she and the BNP continued to enjoy strong public support.
News of Khaleda Zia’s death: Main points
- Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and returned to office for a second term from 2001 to 2006.
- During her time in power, Khaleda shifted the country from a presidential system to a parliamentary system and placed power in the hands of the Prime Minister. He also relaxed restrictions on foreign investment and introduced free and compulsory primary education.
- The three-time prime minister was jailed on corruption charges in 2018 during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. At that time the government also barred him from traveling abroad for medical treatment.
- Khaleda faced several corruption cases which she described as politically motivated. In January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted him in the final case, a decision that would have allowed him to contest the general elections in February.
- After Hasina was ousted from office in 2024, the interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus allowed Zia to travel abroad. She went to London in January and returned to Bangladesh in May.
- Khaleda Zia stayed away from active politics for most of the years and did not participate in public rallies. However, she remained the BNP president until her death. His son Tariq Rehman has served as the party’s acting president since 2018.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his demise and remembered his role in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. He said he was “deeply saddened” by Khaleda’s death.
- Khaleda’s political rival Sheikh Hasina also expressed condolences and described her death as a big loss to the political life of the country. He said, “As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contribution to the nation was significant and she will be missed.”
- Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus also expressed grief, saying that the country has lost a great guardian in his demise.
Follow all updates here:
December 30, 2025 12:24:53 pm First
Bangladesh News Live Updates: Khaleda Zia to be buried next to her late husband
Bangladesh News Live Updates: BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said Khaleda Zia is expected to be buried next to her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Garden in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Bangladesh has declared three days of mourning on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
December 30, 2025 12:19:26 pm First
Bangladesh News Live Updates: Khaleda Zia’s India connection explained
Bangladesh News Live Updates: Khaleda Zia was born on 15 August 1945 in Jalpaiguri, Bengal, which was then part of undivided Dinajpur district in British India.
After Partition, Khaleda and her family moved to Dinajpur city, which is now in Bangladesh. She first studied at Dinajpur Missionary School and later joined Dinajpur Girls School in 1960. More details here,
December 30, 2025 12:09:17 pm First
Bangladesh news live updates: Yunus government announces 3-day mourning
Bangladesh News Live Updates: Bangladesh has declared three days of mourning for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, her funeral will be held on Wednesday.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus appealed for peace in a television broadcast to the nation.
Yunus said, “I humbly appeal to everyone to maintain discipline while observing all forms of mourning, including funeral prayers. I know you all are very emotional at this time.”
December 30, 2025 12:02:06 pm First
Khaleda Zia’s death news live updates: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif condoles Zia’s death
News of Khaleda Zia’s death LIVE UPDATES: In a statement posted on Twitter, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote, “Deeply saddened by the demise of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Her lifelong service to Bangladesh and its growth and development leaves a lasting legacy.”
He said, “Begum Zia was a committed friend of Pakistan. My government and the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Bangladesh in this hour of grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh at this difficult time. May her soul rest in peace. Amen!”
December 30, 2025 11:54:06 am First
Khaleda Zia’s death news live updates: PM Modi condoles Zia’s death, lauds her contribution to India-Bangladesh relations
Khaleda Zia’s death news live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reacted to the death of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, remembering her contribution to India-Bangladesh relations in the past.
Condoling the demise of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, PM Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about his demise. Read more here,
December 30, 2025 11:48:45 am First
Khaleda Zia death news live updates: Sheikh Hasina condoles arch rival’s death
Khaleda Zia’s death news live updates: Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister and arch rival of Khaleda Zia, Awami League president Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday condoled the demise of the BNP leader.
She said, “I express my deepest condolences on the demise of BNP President and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contribution to the nation was significant and she will be missed.”
She said, “Her demise represents a deep loss to the political life of Bangladesh and the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.”
December 30, 2025 11:25:48 am First
Khaleda Zia death news live updates: First woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh passes away
Khaleda Zia death news live updates: Khaleda Zia, who became the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1991 and developed a bitter rivalry with Sheikh Hasina as they traded power for decades, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.
His Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said he died after a prolonged illness.
