Bangladesh‘s first female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is extremely unwell and has been placed under ventilation. A team of UK experts were arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday to oversee her health, with a Chinese team also rushing in earlier.
Khaleda was admitted to a Dhaka hospital on November 23 with infections impacting her heart and lungs. Her condition worsened, leading to a transfer to the coronary care unit four days later and placement on ventilation Sunday night. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his concern over her health, promising to extend all support.
Who is Khaleda Zia?
Khaleda, aged 80, is a prominent Bangladeshi politician. As the first woman to serve as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she has held office three times, first from 1991 to 1996, briefly again in 1996, and then from 2001 to 2006.
As the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), she played a key role in the country’s transition to parliamentary democracy and implemented significant economic reforms during her tenure.
Khaleda is also known for her fierce political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, which has deeply polarised Bangladesh.
Khaleda was sentenced to prison in 2018, initially receiving a five-year jail term in a corruption case related to embezzlement of foreign donations meant for the Zia orphanage trust. Her jail term was later increased to 10 years by the High Court in October 2018. She was also sentenced to seven years in a separate graft case the same year. Zia was imprisoned from 2018 to 2020, after which her jail term was suspended on health grounds, and she was placed under house arrest. Her release was finalised in August 2024 following a political uprising and the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
India, China express concern over her health
Countries including India, China, the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have offered assistance, with a five-member Chinese team already meeting the board on Monday, according to PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X to express his concern.
“Deeply concerned to learn about the health of Begum Khaleda Zia, who has contributed to Bangladesh’s public life for many years…Our sincere prayers and best wishes for her speedy recovery. India stands ready to extend all possible support in whatever way we can,” he wrote.
Security tightened outside her hospital
Security has been significantly heightened around the hospital, PTI reported. On Tuesday, police barricaded the main gate at 2 am, deploying over two dozen officers to control access.
The interim government designated Zia a “very, very important person,” authorising Special Security Force (SSF) protection. Four SSF personnel inspected hospital sections overnight, and surrounding cabins on her fourth-floor unit have been vacated.
BNP supporters organise prayer meetings
BNP supporters have organized special prayers across Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Barishal, Sylhet, and Mymensingh. Social media is flooded with recovery messages.
Zia’s son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in self-exile in London, thanked the global support, calling it a source of strength. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed indicated Rahman may return soon.