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Khaleda Zia

The latest news and top stories on Khaleda Zia. She served as the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh across three terms (1991-1996, 2001-2006). As chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, she spearheaded movements for democracy against military rule in the 1980s. Her premiership focused on economic reforms, privatising industries and boosting employment, alongside significant advancements in education including free primary schooling and girls’ stipends. Recently, she was acquitted in several corruption cases and returned to Bangladesh, intensifying calls for national elections.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh PM-to-be celebrates landslide win, thanks protesters

Prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman dedicated his victory to those who ‘sacrificed for democracy’ after the first polls since a deadly 2024 uprising.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:21PM

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s political parties campaign over revolution’s legacy

9 Feb 2026 - 11:32PM

Bangladesh

Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce

8 Feb 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

29 Jan 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Bangladesh

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:53PM

Bangladesh

Video | Former Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia dies

The 80-year-old was a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles and had vowed to run in next year’s election.

30 Dec 2025 - 6:08PM

Bangladesh

Aspiring Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman welcomed home after 17 years abroad

The political heavyweight is to lead the BNP through an election after ex-premier Sheikh Hasina’s exit following a student-led uprising.

25 Dec 2025 - 5:46PMvideocam

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman waves to crowds from a vehicle after his arrival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

India

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

23 Dec 2025 - 11:41AMvideocam

Bangladesh

Violence erupts in Bangladesh after shot leader of youth uprising dies

Sharif Osman Hadi was attacked by assailants in Dhaka and airlifted to a hospital in the city state, where he succumbed to his injuries.

19 Dec 2025 - 6:11PMvideocam

India

Are India and Bangladesh sidestepping Hasina’s exile to improve frayed ties?

A national security bilateral meeting and Narendra Modi’s message of support for Khaleda Zia signal that ties are on the mend.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:03PMvideocam

Bangladesh

Why a leading party in Bangladesh is facing uncertainty as election looms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leadership crisis threatens to undermine its advantage ahead of the February election, analysts say.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:01PM

Bangladesh

‘Utmost inspiration’: Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia in ‘very critical’ condition

Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Sheikh Hasina’s government, which also barred her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

29 Nov 2025 - 4:03PM

Bangladesh

Bangladesh sets February election date

The announcement of the parliamentary election comes a year after the uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

6 Aug 2025 - 9:12AMvideocam

Bangladesh

More violence in store? Bangladesh student clashes expose political fault lines

Worries that the country may face more violence have grown since student leader Nahid Islam floated the prospect of another march.

18 Jul 2025 - 4:31PM

Anti-riot police personnel stand guard near the burnt debris along a street in Gopalganj on Thursday after the clashes during a National Citizens Party rally. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh

Bangladesh violence leaves at least 4 dead as political turmoil persists

Security forces clashed with supporters of the toppled prime minister, highlighting deep political divisions in the country.

17 Jul 2025 - 12:45PMvideocam

Security forces patrol a street following a clash in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj district on July 16. Photo: Reuters

Khaleda Zia

Bangladesh PM-to-be celebrates landslide win, thanks protesters

Prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman dedicated his victory to those who ‘sacrificed for democracy’ after the first polls since a deadly 2024 uprising.

Bangladesh’s political parties campaign over revolution’s legacy

Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Former Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia dies

The 80-year-old was a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles and had vowed to run in next year’s election.

Aspiring Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman welcomed home after 17 years abroad

The political heavyweight is to lead the BNP through an election after ex-premier Sheikh Hasina’s exit following a student-led uprising.

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

Violence erupts in Bangladesh after shot leader of youth uprising dies

Sharif Osman Hadi was attacked by assailants in Dhaka and airlifted to a hospital in the city state, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Are India and Bangladesh sidestepping Hasina’s exile to improve frayed ties?

A national security bilateral meeting and Narendra Modi’s message of support for Khaleda Zia signal that ties are on the mend.

Why a leading party in Bangladesh is facing uncertainty as election looms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leadership crisis threatens to undermine its advantage ahead of the February election, analysts say.

‘Utmost inspiration’: Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia in ‘very critical’ condition

Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Sheikh Hasina’s government, which also barred her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

Bangladesh sets February election date

The announcement of the parliamentary election comes a year after the uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

More violence in store? Bangladesh student clashes expose political fault lines

Worries that the country may face more violence have grown since student leader Nahid Islam floated the prospect of another march.

Bangladesh violence leaves at least 4 dead as political turmoil persists

Security forces clashed with supporters of the toppled prime minister, highlighting deep political divisions in the country.

Video | Former Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia dies