Who Is Begum Khaleda Zia, Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Whose Detention Is Set To End?

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the release of jailed opposition leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, hours after embattled leader Sheikh Hasina resigned as the country’s prime minister and fled the violence-hit Bangladesh on Monday.

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According to the press statement, the decision was taken at a meeting with opposition party members. Shahabuddin had “decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately”, the statement said.

The meeting was attended by army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman, the heads of the navy and air force and top leaders from opposition parties including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

The arch rival of Hasina, Zia was jailed in 2018 after she was sentenced to 17 years in prison in a graft case.

Who is Khaleda Zia?

-Zia, the chief of the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was born on August 15, 1945 in Bengal’s Jalpaiguri.

-Her political career began after the assassination of her husband Ziaur Rahman, who was President of Bangladesh from 1977 to1981 and formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978.

Read more: Sheikh Hasina Likely To Extend Her Stay In India Till She Gets Asylum In UK: Sources

-In 1991, she became the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and second female prime minister in the Muslim world, after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.

-She also served as the prime minister for a second term from 2001 to 2006. After her government’s term ended in 2006, the January 2007 elections were postponed due to political violence and infighting leading to a military takeover of the caretaker government.

-During its interim rule, the caretaker government charged Zia and her two sons with corruption.

-Owing to multiple health problems, Zia is currently confined to a hospital. She has often travelled overseas for medical care.

Bangladesh unrest:

Bangladesh’s Awami Party leader Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned from the post of Prime Minister and fled to India following month long massive and deadly anti-government protests across the country.

Read more: ‘Mom’s Disappointed’: Sheikh Hasina’s Son Reveals ‘She Won’t Return To Bangladesh’ | Exclusive

Hasina fled to India on Monday and is reported to remain in the country until she is granted a political asylum in a third country, according to sources. Hasina, 76, is seeking an asylum in the UK. According to the sources, no confirmation from the UK regarding political asylum for Hasina has been received so far.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman took over the administration and announced the formation of an interim government. In a television address the General confirmed Hasina’s resignation and took the responsibility of the government. The country was marred by massive protests over the controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of the government jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war.

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