[🇧🇩] Khaleda Zia no more

[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.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia's janaza: What message did the massive turnout convey?

The truth this funeral reveals isn't only about politics; it exposes deepest layers of statecraft, reminds us power is never merely a machine of administration

en.prothomalo.com

Khaleda Zia's janaza: What message did the massive turnout convey?

Sarfuddin Ahmed
Published: 01 Jan 2026, 14: 25

Crowds throng Manik Miah Avenue to take part in Khaleda Zia's janaza Prothom Alo

The sky over Manik Mia Avenue was heavy, not only with grief, but with the weight of history. The janaza (funeral prayer) of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia began at 3:03 pm. Two minutes later, at 3:05 pm, it ended.

Yet what happened in those two minutes will resonate in Bangladesh’s political history for decades to come.At that moment, Manik Mia Avenue was no longer merely a road. It had turned into a sea of people. From Bijoy Sarani, Khamarbari, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Shahbagh, and Mohammadpur, people converged from every direction to a single point.

Khaleda Zia had been outside power, imprisoned, ill, silent. The state narrative sought to render her almost invisible. But this funeral proved that in politics, visibility does not always come with power.

No one could count how many were there. Some said two million, some said three million, others said even more.

But numbers are secondary here. One truth is certain. This was an unprecedented funeral prayer in Bangladesh’s history. Even on a global scale, it stands out as a rare gathering among funerals of deceased Muslim leaders.

This scene reminds us of Tehran in 1989. It brings to mind the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, where tens of millions were present. That sea of people was not made up of party workers; it was the people’s final utterance toward a political life.

Iran's religious leader Ayatullah Khomeni passed away in June 1098. Over 10 million people attended his janaza Collected

It also recalls Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, Palestine’s Yasser Arafat, and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, figures whose funerals drew people not merely to mourn, but to declare their own place in history.

Khaleda Zia’s funeral was such a moment. It was not just the farewell to a leader; it was the answer to a question: where does the public heart stand in Bangladesh’s politics?

For a long time, Khaleda Zia had been outside power, imprisoned, ill, silent. The state narrative sought to render her almost invisible. But this funeral proved that in politics, visibility does not always come with power. Sometimes it emerges through suffering, through silence. The crowd showed that they had not forgotten.

This public turnout carried not only a message of mourning for the BNP, but also one of revival. A party that has endured prolonged repression, division, and fragmentation suddenly discovered that its social roots remain intact.

This funeral gave BNP renewed confidence that politics is not run solely through administrative control; it is also driven by people’s emotions.

At the same time, the scene is a matter of deep concern for Awami League. Despite its long tenure in power, it has not been able to demonstrate such spontaneous mass gatherings for a long time. It serves as a reminder that the state and society are not the same. Even with administrative control, social legitimacy is never permanent.

The impact of this sea of people did not remain confined within the country. It was picked up by the subtle radar of international politics as well. Historically, BNP’s relationship with India has been strained.

These attendances indicate that regional powers no longer see BNP merely as a chapter of the past. They have begun to consider the party as a potential force for the future as well.

Yet at such a moment, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and handed over India’s condolence message to him. It is being described as a courtesy call and an expression of sympathy.

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar conveying India's condolences to Tarique RahmanFrom the X handle of Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh's High Commissioner in Delhi

But we know that in politics, courtesy is never meaningless, never without a message, never innocuous. In the language of diplomacy, courtesy often signifies an acknowledgement of the situation, and sometimes, the keeping of a door open for the future.

In that context, delivering the condolence message through Jaishankar and handing it directly to Tarique Rahman is hard to view as mere routine protocol.

The question naturally arises as to whether this was this a subtle signal from the Modi government to the BNP?

Nothing can be said with complete certainty, because diplomacy never speaks in simple sentences. But one thing is clear: India knows how to read realities. And the reality of this sea of people on Manik Mia Avenue is unlikely to have escaped India’s diplomatic attention.

In the past, India’s relationship with the BNP was distant, at times even hostile. But politics recognises no permanent enemies or friends, only possibilities.

Khaleda Zia’s funeral made that possibility visible. And it is against the backdrop of this visible reality that Jaishankar’s condolence message must be interpreted.

This context is made even more significant by the meeting between Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Tarique Rahman, and the expression of solidarity.

In South Asian politics, Pakistan’s symbolic presence is always meaningful. This is not merely bilateral courtesy, it is a language of regional balance.

At the same time, the presence of official representatives from Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal, along with the participation of diplomats from many countries, together paints a picture of extensive international observation.

It is clear that opposition politics in Bangladesh is no longer just an internal matter. It has entered the calculations of regional powers as well.

These attendances indicate that regional powers no longer see BNP merely as a chapter of the past. They have begun to consider the party as a potential force for the future as well.


The truth this funeral reveals to us is not only about politics; it also exposes the deepest layers of statecraft. It reminds us that power is never merely a machine held in the hands of administration.

The permanence of power cannot be ensured through police, laws, directives, or departmental seals. The true abode of power lies in the consciousness of the people, in memory, in the depths of emotion, in the sense of justice and injustice.

When the state confines its strength solely to structures, it forgets that history is ultimately written in the feelings of the people, not in documents. The sea of people that surged at this funeral was a visible manifestation of that popular sentiment.

When the state seeks to silence the voices of the people, they change the language. They do not chant slogans or raise banners, they speak in the language of history. The funeral ceases to be merely a religious ritual; it becomes a silent referendum.

Yet, it would be wrong to interpret this sea of people as a final verdict. History never delivers its final word in a single day.

* Sarfuddin Ahmed is Assistant Editor, Prothom Alo.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

She was on life support system for a long long time. After her son came to BD, it was removed.

 

[Saif]

Dignified farewell to Begum Zia

As an ending, it was the height of dignity. Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis from across the country gathered to pay their last respects, alongside foreign delegates, as she was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband. This collective act of homage stood as a final testament to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dignified farewell to Begum Zia

SYED MUHAMMED SHOWAIB
Published :
Jan 03, 2026 00:15
Updated :
Jan 03, 2026 00:15

As an ending, it was the height of dignity. Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis from across the country gathered to pay their last respects, alongside foreign delegates, as she was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband. This collective act of homage stood as a final testament to the deep and lasting regard she held in the public imagination. Yet just two years ago, such a moment of national reverence would have seemed almost unimaginable, especially given the relentless political persecution she had endured.


Before the interim government rose to power following a popular mass uprising, she was effectively a prisoner of the state. Despite serious health complications requiring advanced treatment abroad, she was denied permission to leave the country by the regime. The home where she had lived since 1981, legally acquired after her husband's assassination, was seized by force. This eviction was orchestrated as a public spectacle of humiliation. A teary-eyed Khaleda Zia later told reporters that security personnel assaulted her household staff, removed her from her bedroom and forced her into a car. She also witnessed her son Tarique Rahman being driven into exile in an ambulance after enduring severe physical torture. Her party's leaders and activists were imprisoned or trapped in case after case while much of the media remained silent or tightly constrained. Even her husband's burial site where she has now been laid to rest was not spared from controversy. At that stage, almost every instrument of the state appeared to have been deployed to erase her presence, her memory and her political legitimacy.

The fact that she was later honoured by the state and mourned across political divides highlights not only how circumstances had changed but how artificial that earlier erasure truly was. In her final years, Khaleda Zia witnessed a Bangladesh gradually returning to democratic norms after fifteen years of authoritarian rule. She lived to see a freer media environment in which journalists and commentators could evaluate her records openly and discuss about her virtues and failures alike. In death, she left a political culture that was, perhaps for the first time in years, at least permitted to attempt a more honest conversation.

For the Gen-Z generation that unleashed the mass uprising, Khaleda Zia was not a governing figure they experienced directly, as her years in office and her street leadership as opposition belonged to an earlier era. Older generations, however, remember her for the remarkable decency and graciousness she displayed throughout her political career. Even amidst intense provocation, she was never known to resort to vulgarity or undignified language against opponents. Tellingly, following the 2024 uprising that toppled the previous regime, she uttered no bitter recriminations or calls for retribution, demonstrating that true triumph lies in civility rather than vengeance. In a political culture where invective has long been mistaken for strength, her restraint was exceptional. It showed that political struggle need not be anchored in hatred and that dignity itself can be a form of resistance.

If civility defined her temperament, firmness defined her politics. Khaleda Zia was known above all for her uncompromising decision-making, earning the epithet "the uncompromising leader." In 1986, when some opposition leaders opted to participate in elections under military ruler HM Ershad, she refused to lend legitimacy to the authoritarian rule. She chose confrontation over accommodation, a decision whose wisdom became clearer with time. A similar resolve emerged during the military backed caretaker government of 2007. Arrested and imprisoned amid speculation that both major political leaders would be exiled, she refused to leave the country. According to widely circulated accounts, she declared that she had no address abroad and would rather die on her own soil than live in exile. That refusal is widely believed to have played a critical role in frustrating plans to implement "minus two formula" aimed at removing both female leaders from politics.

Like her late husband President Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia cultivated a personal image of integrity despite operating in a political environment rife with corruption. Prolonged investigations by rival governments which held power for nearly two decades produced only weak cases including the notorious Zia Charitable Trust case, indicating a scarcity of substantive evidence against her personally. Yet this personal probity contrasted with broader governance challenges during her tenure, including unchecked corruption among party associates and public servants, which contributed to Bangladesh being ranked among the world's most corrupt nations for several years. Militant violence also marked one phase of her administration, though her government later implemented policies that significantly curtailed extremism. These shortcomings remain part of her record and must be acknowledged candidly.

Her tenure as the country's first woman prime minister was consequential for women's advancement. As the country's first female prime minister, she expanded access to education by making schooling compulsory for girls up to the eighth grade. Her administration took an unusually assertive stance against child marriage, empowering magistrates to intervene directly. Legal measures addressing domestic violence were strengthened through specialised tribunals that led to the precautionary jailing of many accused husbands. Crucially, because it originated from a leader trusted by conservative constituencies, it faced less backlash than it might have otherwise, making their impact deeper and more enduring.

Khaleda Zia possessed the wisdom to recognise that leaders cannot be experts in every field. She valued capable individuals and took expert advice seriously when making decisions. This willingness to defer to knowledge, while retaining ultimate responsibility, enabled her to compensate for an unconventional political entry and to manage crises that might have overwhelmed a less adaptive leader.

The journey of Khaleda Zia mirrors the tumultuous course of modern Bangladesh itself. It spanned the heights of power, the depths of persecution and finally culminated in a dignified farewell of national respect. More than a record of offices held or battles fought, her life demonstrated that politics grounded in resolve, restraint and respect can withstand even the harshest attempts to undermine it. Her name is not inscribed on many buildings or monuments, but the quiet dignity with which she conducted herself has a lasting impact. That's something people will always remember.​

 

[Saif]

Family moved by nation’s outpouring of grief for Khaleda Zia: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Saturday his family has been deeply moved by the continued outpouring of condolences and prayers from across the country and abroad following the death of his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In a post on his official Facebook page, “As

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Family moved by nation’s outpouring of grief for Khaleda Zia: Tarique

Published :
Jan 03, 2026 20:13
Updated :
Jan 03, 2026 20:13

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Saturday his family has been deeply moved by the continued outpouring of condolences and prayers from across the country and abroad following the death of his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
FE

In a post on his official Facebook page, “As the three-day national mourning period for Begum Khaleda Zia comes to a close, our family has been deeply moved by the continued outpouring of condolences and prayers from across the country and from friends abroad.”

The BNP leader said the three days of mourning showed how his mother meant different things to different people, often in ways the family did not fully know or see, UNB reports.

He said to many, she has symbolised the courage to stand up for what one truly believes in and remain steadfast in conviction despite hardship, and the lesson resonates far beyond politics, touching people wherever they are, whoever they may be.

Tarique said they are eternally thankful to the interim government, and to Professor Muhammad Yunus and his Cabinet, whose leadership and swift coordination made it possible to arrange such an honourific farewell in a short time.

“To the international community, our neighbours, friends, diplomats, and partners around the world, you have warmed our hearts with your compassion and solidarity. The presence of dignitaries at the funeral, the letters and messages of condolence, the words written in condolence books, the countless expressions shared through social media, and official statements by leaders, local missions in Bangladesh, and organisations across the country has been incredible to see,” he said.

Once again, the BNP leader said, they are deeply grateful to all the servicemen and women involved, across the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, across coordinating administrations and ministries.

“My family and I were truly touched by your sense of duty and care during my mother’s final farewell. We remain grateful to all who helped ensure these days of mourning were conducted with dignity and care,” he said.

Tarique said that he wished to offer special thanks to the President Guard Regiment, whose solemn guard of honour and final salute paid the highest tribute to his mother’s life and service. “By escorting Begum Khaleda Zia with such respect to her final resting place, you embodied the nation’s reverence and ensured that her last journey was marked with the honour it deserved.”

The BNP leader said he is also mindful that many others, whose names or roles may not have been mentioned, contributed in countless ways to ensuring the day unfolded seamlessly.

“To all who served behind the scenes or beyond public view, please accept my heartfelt thanks. Your efforts made it possible, Alhamdulillah, for our family and for the nation to honour her memory with dignity,” he said.

Tarique said, finally, to the people of Bangladesh, seeing so many from every corner of the nation gather in reverence for his mother was something his family could never have anticipated.

He said it was a powerful and unifying moment that reflected the compassion and shared humanity of the country’s people.

“On behalf of our family and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, we thank everyone who stood with us in grief and remembrance. Your kindness and solidarity have been a source of comfort and strength, and we carry them forward with gratitude,” Tarique said.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia's economic legacy and the road ahead

In the 55 years since Bangladesh’s independence, the processes of state-building, political transformation, and economic reconstruction have been deeply interconnected. During this period, the country has passed through multiple political turning points, each of which has had a profound impact...

en.prothomalo.com

Khaleda Zia's economic legacy and the road ahead

Fahmida Khatun
Updated: 04 Jan 2026, 21: 35

In the 55 years since Bangladesh’s independence, the processes of state-building, political transformation, and economic reconstruction have been deeply interconnected. During this period, the country has passed through multiple political turning points, each of which has had a profound impact on the nation’s economic direction and institutional framework. Within this long history, Begum Khaleda Zia’s tenure represents a significant chapter, particularly in terms of economic reforms and policy restructuring.

Firstly, Khaleda Zia’s leadership came at a time when Bangladesh was gradually moving away from a state-controlled economic structure toward a market-based, export-oriented development model. This was not merely a period of policy change; it was a critical phase of restructuring the interrelationship between the state, the market, and society. To properly assess Khaleda Zia’s economic role, it must be viewed within the broader context of national evolution and as part of an ongoing process of transformation.

Secondly, the country had just transitioned from military rule to a democratic system when her party BNP came to power in 1991. At that time, the economy was still burdened with limited productive capacity, a weak revenue structure, and restrictive regulatory policies. In this context, Khaleda Zia’s government chose a different path, one that recognised the private sector as the primary driver of development.


This approach was not an abrupt transformation but a gradual, step-by-step process. Its core philosophy was to expand the role of the market, create an investment-friendly environment, and position the state as a supportive force rather than a direct regulator. From this period onward, the foundations for long-term growth in Bangladesh began to take shape.

Thirdly, the most visible aspect of Bangladesh’s economic transformation was the rise of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry. Although the industry had its beginnings in the mid-1980s, it received structural support during the 1990s. The government provided effective assistance to exporters through measures such as bonded warehouse facilities, back-to-back letters of credit, cash incentives, and trade facilitation policies.

These policies were not part of any ambitious industrial strategy but rather practical solutions to real problems. As a result, Bangladesh quickly established a significant position in the global garment supply chain. This success continued to drive the country’s growth in the following decades.
Fourthly, one of the most important initiatives of Khaleda Zia’s first term was the enactment of the 1991 Value Added Tax (VAT) law.

This represented a fundamental transformation of Bangladesh’s tax system. It aimed to replace a limited and inefficient tax structure with a modern, broad-based revenue system. Although implementation faced various obstacles and subsequent reforms were required, the initiative laid a strong foundation for revenue administration. Such structural reforms were essential for development spending, social protection, and infrastructure investment.

Fifthly, two significant changes occurred in the foreign exchange system during Khaleda Zia’s administration. In 1994, current account convertibility was introduced, which made import-export activities more dynamic. Later, in 2003, Bangladesh adopted a floating exchange rate system. This brought greater flexibility to foreign trade and monetary policy and enhanced the country’s economic integration with the global economy.

Sixthly, financial sector reform was one of the most important yet complex chapters of this period. Through the enactment of the Bank Companies Act (1991) and the Financial Institutions Act (1993), efforts were made to strengthen the regulatory framework. At the same time, with support from development partners including the World Bank, financial sector reform programmes were implemented.

The aim of these reforms was to improve banking efficiency, ensure credit discipline, and strengthen supervision. Although full success was not achieved, the structural foundations were established during this period. The formation of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) was also a key reform initiative, providing an institutional basis for the development of the capital market.

Seventhly, during this period, economic growth, export expansion, and remittance inflows helped create employment opportunities. From the 1990s to the mid-2000s, the poverty rate declined significantly. It should be noted that these achievements were not the result of a single government but rather a product of consistent policy. However, the policy stability under Khaleda Zia helped accelerate this process.

Eighthly, beyond the economy, Khaleda Zia’s tenure is also remembered for significant initiatives in social policy. Special emphasis was placed on expanding female education. In 1994, policies providing scholarships and support to continue education at the secondary level significantly increased girls’ school participation.

To reduce poverty, the scope of rural employment programmes, food security initiatives, and targeted assistance was expanded. Simultaneously, the coverage of social safety programmes was gradually extended to strengthen state support for vulnerable and poor populations. These initiatives helped lay the foundation for social progress.

Many such positive economic and social policies and reforms form Khaleda Zia’s economic legacy. The policies implemented during her tenure strengthened Bangladesh’s economic foundations. While these initiatives faced structural limitations and implementation challenges, they remain an important chapter in the country’s continued social development.

Even today, weaknesses in Bangladesh’s governance system persist. Lack of discipline in the banking sector, political influence, and weak enforcement mechanisms have slowed reform efforts. These problems are structural and long-term. This reality reminds us that reform is not merely a matter of policy-making; it requires political will, institutional continuity, and a coordinated long-term vision.

#Fahmida Khatun is Executive Director, Center for Policy Dialogue​