Bangladesh’s former PM Khaleda Zia dies aged 80AFP, DHAKAFormer Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died yesterday aged 80. The government declared three days of state mourning for the country’s first female prime minister, with vast crowds expected to attend her funeral today. Supporters of former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia mourn her death in Dhaka yesterday. Nevertheless, hours before her death, party workers had on Monday submitted nomination papers on her behalf for three constituencies for the polls. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Zia had been a “committed friend” to Islamabad.

Source: Taipei Times December 30, 2025 16:03 UTC