Sheikh Hasina acknowledged Begum Khaleda Zia's important accomplishments as Bangladesh's first female prime minister and offered her sympathies for her loss.
Following the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on Tuesday, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent her condolences, stating that "her contributions are immense."
Zia, who was prime minister for three periods, died while receiving medical care at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at around six in the morning local time. She was eighty years old.
In 2018, Hasina's administration imprisoned former prime minister Zia for corruption and prevented her from receiving medical care overseas.
"I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia," the Bangladesh Awami League wrote in a post on X. She made important and enduring contributions to the country as Bangladesh's first female prime minister and in the fight for democracy.
"The leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh's political life have suffered a great loss with her demise. It continued, "I pray for Begum Khaleda Zia's soul to have eternal peace and forgiveness."
After a protracted illness at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, Zia, the longtime leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a three-time prime minister, passed away at around six in the morning local time. She was eighty years old.
"Black flags will be flown": Bangladesh laments Zia's passing
Following the passing of party chairman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced seven days of national mourning on Tuesday.
At the BNP's headquarters in Nayapaltan and at party offices around the nation, black flags will be flying.
To honor her, party leaders, activists, and supporters will don black badges.
Quran recitations and doa mahfils (prayer meetings) would be held at party offices and other venues across Bangladesh.
Members and the general public can offer condolences at the BNP central office, district offices, and the party chairperson's Gulshan office in Dhaka.
"Battle of Begums"
Known as the "Battle of the Begums," the intense and intensely personal competition between two powerful individuals, Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Khaleda Zia of the BNP, influenced Bangladeshi politics for almost 30 years.
The political legacies of assassinated family members who were important figures in Bangladesh's early history were passed down to both leaders. Zia led the BNP, formed by her husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981, whereas Hasina climbed through the Awami League, founded by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was killed in 1975.
How did Zia rule Bangladesh?
Following the BNP's victory in the national elections in 1991, Khaleda Zia was appointed as Bangladesh's first female prime minister. She carried out significant reforms during her two terms in office, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. These included replacing presidential rule with a parliamentary system, opening the economy by easing restrictions on foreign investment, and emphasizing education through free and compulsory primary schooling as well as increased access to free education for girls.
These policies supported economic growth, increased women's employment, especially in the apparel industry, and raised literacy rates.
However, according to multiple accounts, accusations of corruption, the growth of Islamist extremism, and an increase in political violence with opposition forces dominated her second term.
Khaleda Zia, who was born in 1945, battled lung issues, diabetes, heart illness, and liver cirrhosis for many years.
Hasina was imprisoned on corruption accusations or placed under house arrest for extended periods of time while she was in office. After Hasina fled to India in August 2024, she was freed; nevertheless, on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80, she passed away from her infirmities.
The period known as the "Battle of the Begums" has essentially come to an end with Zia's passing and Hasina, who is currently living in exile in India after being condemned to die in absentia for crimes against humanity connected to the 2024 crackdown.
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