‘A profound loss to political life’: Sheikh Hasina condoles Khaleda Zia’s death

Exiled former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and her long-time political rival, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her passing as a major loss to the country’s political life.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and one of its most influential political figures, died earlier in the day at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. The BNP announced her death on social media, saying she passed away around 6 am, shortly after the Fajr prayers.

Hasina’s condolence message was shared by the Awami League on X. “I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia,” the statement said.

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‘A profound loss to political life’

“As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered,” Hasina said.

“Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the statement added.

Hasina and Khaleda Zia were principal political rivals for decades, with their rivalry shaping Bangladesh’s politics, elections and governments for much of the past three decades.

Prayers and condolences to family

The former Awami League chief also offered prayers for Khaleda Zia and conveyed sympathies to her family and party.

“I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul,” the statement said. “I convey my sincere sympathies to her son, Tarique Rahman, and to the members of her bereaved family. I also extend my condolences to the wider BNP family.”

Hasina added that she hoped Almighty Allah would grant them “patience, strength and comfort” during the difficult time.

The message comes as Sheikh Hasina is currently in India after being ousted from power in August last year amid widespread unrest in Bangladesh.

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Who was Khaleda Zia

Begum Khaleda Zia was born in Jalpaiguri, then part of the undivided Dinajpur district of British India. She made history in 1991 by becoming Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister following the restoration of parliamentary democracy.

The daughter of Iskandar and Taiyaba Majumder, she later served a second term as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, cementing her place as one of the country’s most influential political leaders.

She is survived by her elder son, Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman. Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile and is currently the BNP’s acting chairman. He is also seen as a key contender in the upcoming national elections. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, died several years ago in Malaysia.

Health issues

Khaleda Zia had been suffering from ill health for several years and frequently travelled abroad for treatment. She most recently returned to Dhaka in May after undergoing medical care in the United Kingdom.

Doctors cited by Reuters said she was battling multiple ailments, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and chest and heart-related complications.