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Nation mourns former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia
Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis converged on Dhaka on Wednesday to honor Khaleda Zia, the country's first female prime minister, who died at 80 after a prolonged illness. Mourners lined the streets as a motorcade carried her flag-draped coffin near the parliament building, with security forces deployed across the capital.
A life of political defiance
Zia's journey from homemaker to national leader began after the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman. The tragedy propelled her into politics, where she co-founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and later became prime minister in 1991 and 2001. Her refusal to participate in a disputed election under military rule in the 1980s earned her the label of an "uncompromising leader."
Alongside her rival Sheikh Hasina, Zia fought for democracy against military dictatorship, enduring arrests and detention. In 2007, she was held under house arrest during a military-backed caretaker government. Over the past 16 years, she became a symbol of resistance to Hasina's government, which critics described as increasingly autocratic.
Legacy of resilience and reform
Supporters praised Zia's unwavering principles, despite convictions under Hasina's administration and personal setbacks. Economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya recalled her as a leader who "valued informed decision-making" and sought expert input on key policies.
Zia's policies, including education stipends for girls, left a lasting impact. Sharmina Siraj, a mother of two, told AFP that Zia's reforms made it possible for her daughters to pursue education, calling her "an inspiration." Another mourner, BNP activist Setara Sultana, traveled to Dhaka to pay respects, saying, "I know I won't see her face, but I had to see her one last time."
International tributes and final rites
Dignitaries from India, Pakistan, and Bhutan attended Zia's state funeral. Her body was first taken to her son Tarique Rahman's home, where he recited the Quran beside her office. She was later buried beside her husband at a Dhaka cemetery.
Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile, called his mother "a guiding presence" for the nation's democratic aspirations. The BNP, now eyeing a return to power, had nominated Zia as a candidate in three constituencies for the 2026 elections-the first since Hasina's ouster in a popular uprising last year.
"The country mourns the loss of a leader who shaped its democratic future."
Tarique Rahman, BNP leader
What lies ahead
With Zia's passing, the BNP faces a leadership transition, with Rahman poised to take the helm. Analysts say her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, defined by the rivalry between the "battling begums"-Zia and Hasina-that shaped the nation's democratic struggle.
