- Last rites of Zia, 80, planned for Wednesday, also declared public holiday in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON / DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s interim government on Tuesday announced three days of mourning and a public holiday after Khaleda Zia, the South Asian nation's first female prime minister, died at the age of 80.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said in an address to the nation that the three days of national mourning will begin on Wednesday, which will also be a public holiday when last rites will be held for Zia.

He expressed "deep sorrow" over her passing and asked people to remain calm and maintain peace and order.

Zia, who never lost an election, died ahead of the next national elections set for February 2026.

Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had submitted Zia's nomination papers for the election. Her archrival, fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fled to India on Aug. 5 at the height of a mass uprising. Since then, Yunus has been leading an interim government.

The BNP is planning to hold Zia's funeral on Wednesday in front of the national parliament.

She will be laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, in the capital Dhaka, said a statement from Yunus' office.

1st female premier

Zia, founder of the BNP, had long suffered from a series of health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cirrhosis, and kidney problems.

She was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Nov. 23 after developing breathing difficulties. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the hospital’s critical care unit on Nov. 27.

Doctors treating her had described her condition as extremely critical. She was on life support and undergoing dialysis in recent days.

In a condolence message, Yunus said that with Zia’s passing, the nation has lost a great guardian, adding that her loss left him “deeply saddened and grief stricken.”

She was not merely the leader of a political party, but represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh, said Yunus, adding that considering her contributions, her long struggle, and the deep public sentiment towards her, the government declared her a "Very, Very Important Person of the State" earlier this month.

Following the death of her husband, Zia entered politics in 1982. Her strong leadership played a decisive role in bringing down the nine-year-long autocratic rule of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Yunus said.

“Because of her political success, Khaleda Zia became a victim of extreme political vengeance. She was sentenced to 17 years in prison in false and fabricated cases and had to endure long periods of incarceration,” he added.

Various political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, also expressed their condolences over her demise.

'Uncompromising leader'

Zia’s health had significantly worsened during her imprisonment under Hasina, whose government was ousted last year, according to the BNP. The party alleged that Hasina restricted Zia’s access to treatment and prevented her from traveling abroad for advanced medical care.

Zia was released from house arrest soon after Hasina fled to India. She traveled to the UK in January for treatment.

She was jailed in February 2018 for five years after being convicted on corruption charges and was released to house arrest in March 2020 due to her deteriorating health.

Also in January, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court acquitted Zia in the last corruption case against her, which would have let her run in February’s elections.

Zia was given the title of “uncompromising leader” in Bangladeshi politics. She spearheaded a sustained, nine-year-long mass movement against the military regime of Ershad and became the first female prime minister of Bangladesh in 1991.

She remained the primary symbolic and de facto opposition figure during much of Hasina's 15-year rule.

Her son Tarique Rahman had been living in the UK since 2008 and returned home last week after 17 years of exile to see his mother and take responsibility for the party. He has said his return had been delayed due to security and political concerns, as criticism grew over his absence despite his mother’s critical condition.

Pakistan, India, China offer condolences

Pakistan, India and China expressed "condolences" over the passing of Zia.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said the leadership and services of Zia "will be remembered with respect."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Zia's "important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered."

Remembering their 2015 meeting in Dhaka, he said: "We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership."

Khaleda Zia was an old friend of the Chinese people and long committed to China-Bangladesh friendship, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

Zia made active efforts to develop China-Bangladesh ties, and the two countries established the comprehensive partnership of cooperation, featuring long-term friendship, Lin said.