[🇧🇩] Khaleda Zia no more

[Saif]

Longtime caregiver Fatema’s family grief-stricken over Khaleda Zia’s death

Fatema, longtime caregiver of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and her family are grief-stricken following the leader’s death. Since 2010, Fatema has been devoted to serving Begum Zia, even accompanying her to prison when required. Her father, Rafizul Mia, said th

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Longtime caregiver Fatema’s family grief-stricken over Khaleda Zia’s death

UNB
Published :
Dec 31, 2025 22:45
Updated :
Dec 31, 2025 22:45

Photo: Collected via UNB

Fatema, longtime caregiver of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and her family are grief-stricken following the leader’s death.

Since 2010, Fatema has been devoted to serving Begum Zia, even accompanying her to prison when required. Her father, Rafizul Mia, said the family was almost speechless with sorrow after hearing the news, and the atmosphere at their home in Shahmadar village of Kachia Union, Bhola Sadar, is somber.

Fatema, the eldest of two daughters, lost her husband shortly after marriage and moved to Dhaka with her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son to seek livelihood. Through a relative, she began working as Begum Zia’s household caretaker in 2010 and has served the leader continuously for 16 years.

Rafizul Mia said he and his children traveled to Dhaka to attend Begum Zia’s funeral, praying for her soul’s salvation. Fatema’s children, Riamoni, who passed HSC from Nazir Rahman College in 2025, and two-year-old son Rifaat, preparing for SSC in 2026, said they have long been separated from their mother during 30 Eid celebrations. Despite the hardships, they feel proud of their mother for serving the national leader.

Local BNP leaders expressed pride in Fatema’s dedication, noting her sacrifices in accompanying Begum Zia abroad and during imprisonment. “Begum Zia was like family to Fatema,” said Rafizul Mia.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia: 1946-2025

Khaleda Zia (1946–2025) was Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, serving three terms and leading the BNP for decades, shaping the nation’s politics and democratic struggle.

en.prothomalo.com

Khaleda Zia: 1946-2025​

 

[Saif]

Hundreds of thousands gather at Manik Mia Avenue to attend Khaleda Zia’s janaza

People from across the country have begun converging at the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue since Wednesday morning to attend the janaza of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, scheduled to be held at 2:00 pm today. From early hours, leaders...

en.prothomalo.com

Hundreds of thousands gather at Manik Mia Avenue to attend Khaleda Zia’s janaza​

 

[Saif]

Hasina can’t evade responsibility for Khaleda Zia’s death: Nazrul

In 2018, Khaleda walked into jail, but came out seriously ill, he says

www.thedailystar.net

Hasina can’t evade responsibility for Khaleda Zia’s death: Nazrul
In 2018, Khaleda walked into jail, but came out seriously ill, he says

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan today said that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina would never be able to evade responsibility for the death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

"On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia walked into jail after being subjected to the personal vengeance of fascist Hasina. But she came out of prison seriously ill," he said while speaking at Manik Mia Avenue shortly before Khaleda Zia's namaz-e-janaza.

Nazrul said Khaleda's prolonged imprisonment, denial of proper medical treatment and restrictions on treatment abroad had severely damaged her health and ultimately led to her death.

"According to doctors at home and abroad, her illness worsened because she was denied the opportunity to receive treatment overseas during four years of house arrest. As a result, the uncompromising leader eventually succumbed to death. Fascist Hasina will never be free of responsibility for this death," he said.

Khaleda's body was taken to a temporary stage set up at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad around 2:45pm for her janaza.

Later, Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the party.

He explained the circumstances that led her to enter politics and highlighted her long struggle for democracy, her unwavering commitment to democratic values and her deep patriotism.

The BNP leader also recalled her contributions to the country and urged everyone to pray for her departed soul.

Nazrul said Khaleda Zia never bowed before any domestic or foreign force, nor did she compromise on democracy, freedom of expression or voting rights, despite facing repeated repression.

"She was jailed during the rule of autocrat Hussein Muhammad Ershad, during the so-called 1/11 regime and again under Sheikh Hasina," he said.

The BNP leader said Khaleda was evicted from her home linked to the memory of her martyred husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, and sentenced to 17 years in prison on what he described as false charges.

"Yet she never compromised with authoritarian politics. This is why she became an enduring inspiration in the struggle against fascism," Nazrul said.

"Those who sent her to jail and made her homeless could not live in peace and were forced to flee," he said referring to Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, and forced to seek refuge in India.

Nazrul said Khaleda joined BNP on January 3, 1982, to keep the morale of party leaders and activists intact after the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in 1981.

Despite being the party founder's wife, Nazrul said Khaleda Zia rose through its ranks constitutionally, first as a primary member, then vice-chairperson, acting chairperson and later elected chairperson through the party council.

Of her 43-year political life, he said, she led BNP for 41 years as its top leader, strengthening and organising the party.

Nazrul said Khaleda Zia led a continuous nine-year movement against Ershad's military rule and restored democracy through a free, fair and neutral election in 1991.

"She was the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world," he said.

Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday at Evercare Hospital at the age of 79 after suffering from multiple critical health complications.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia's role in Bangladesh-China ties will be remembered forever, Beijing says

Expresses deep condolences

www.thedailystar.net

Khaleda Zia's role in Bangladesh-China ties will be remembered forever, Beijing says

Expresses deep condolences

Photo: Collected

China today said the contributions of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to strengthening Bangladesh-China friendship and bilateral relations would be remembered forever.


"Khaleda Zia is an old and dear friend of the Chinese people and long committed to China-Bangladesh friendship," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing.


China expressed deep condolences over the passing of Khaleda Zia and heartfelt sympathies to the interim government of Bangladesh and to Khaleda Zia's family.

While in office as prime minister of Bangladesh, the spokesperson said, Khaleda Zia made active efforts to develop Bangladesh-China ties, during which the two countries established a comprehensive partnership of cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality, and mutual benefit.


Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the funeral of Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka today, along with other dignitaries.​