Who Is Khaleda Zia? 1st Female PM Of Bangladesh, To Set Free From Prison After 17 Years

Amid the ongoing tensions in the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, the country is all set to dissolve the parliament and will be forming an interim government at the earliest. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin scheduled a meeting with leaders of various political parties & representatives of civil society at Bangabhaban.

The President has announced the release of one of the most prominent leader of opposition Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). This decision came few hours after Sheikh Hasina fled the country.

Informing, that Khaleda Zia has been serving her prison sentence for 17 years since 2008 under the charges of corruption.

Who Is Khaleda Zia?

Born on August 15, 1945, in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal (India). She leads the BNP, the principal opposition party in Bangladesh. Her entry into politics began after the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981 and established the BNP.

Became The 1st Female PM Of Bangladesh 

Khaleda became Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister in 1991, making her the second female Prime Minister in the Muslim world after Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. She served another term as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006. However, her term was marred by political turmoil, and the January 2007 elections were postponed due to widespread violence and unrest, which led to a military-backed caretaker government taking control.

During the interim government’s rule, Khaleda Zia and her two sons faced corruption charges. Currently, Zia is dealing with health problems and is hospitalized. She frequently travels abroad for medical treatment.

This development marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with Zia’s release potentially reshaping the country’s political dynamics.

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