Haleda Zia Prime Minister of Bangladesh Date of Birth: 15.08.1945 Country: Bangladesh

1. Biography of Khaleda Zia
2. Early Life and Marriage
3. Leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
4. Political Achievements
5. Temporary Government and Re-election
6. Return to Power

Biography of Khaleda Zia

Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, served from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. She is the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). As a sign of respect for her prominent socio-political position, the honorific title "Begum" is often added to her name.

Early Life and Marriage

Khaleda Zia was born into a business family in the Dinajpur district in the northwest of Bangladesh. In 1960, she married General Ziaur Rahman, who later became the president of the country and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party

After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in 1981, Khaleda Zia assumed the leadership of the party in 1983. Alongside Sheikh Hasina Wazed and her party, the Awami League, she remained in opposition to the usurping power of General Ershad. In 1991, the BNP emerged victorious in the elections, and Zia became the Prime Minister.

Political Achievements

During her tenure, Khaleda Zia's government improved relations with Pakistan and experienced strained relations with India, particularly concerning the issue of sharing Ganges river waters. The BNP government is credited with increasing expenditures on education, introducing compulsory primary education, and establishing free secondary schools for girls. Zia also played a significant role in restoring Bangladesh's image as a democratic country, which had suffered during the authoritarian rule of Ershad.

Temporary Government and Re-election

In 1996, the opposition led by Sheikh Hasina boycotted the elections, and Zia was forced to form a temporary (transitional) government and announce new elections, in which she suffered a defeat. In 1999, the BNP initiated the largest political strike in the country's history, demanding the resignation of the government formed by the Awami League. However, Hasina Wazed adamantly refused to step down before the completion of her five-year term.

Return to Power

In 2001, despite allegations of electoral fraud from Hasina Wazed, Zia (in coalition with the traditionalist party Jamaat-e-Islami) won the elections once again. In 2003, she succeeded in passing a law that reserved 30 seats in the 330-seat parliament for women.