Media Reports Say Khaleda Zia Passes Away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka

According to reports broadcast by multiple local and international media outlets, BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, passed away around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara, Dhaka.

The reported news has received wide coverage across global media platforms. International outlets such as BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters, CNN, and The Guardian carried the report prominently, citing political sources in Bangladesh. The news was also highlighted by major regional media in India and Pakistan.

India’s leading news outlet NDTV reported that Khaleda Zia began her tenure as Prime Minister after winning the 1991 national election through a popular vote. Under her leadership, Bangladesh restored the parliamentary form of government and introduced the caretaker government system to ensure neutral national elections.

NDTV further reported that Khaleda Zia had been suffering from prolonged health complications. Over the years, medical specialists from Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Australia were reportedly involved in her treatment.

Pakistan’s prominent newspaper Dawn and television network Geo News stated that, according to media reports, Khaleda Zia passed away shortly after the Fajr prayer. Several Pakistani news outlets broadcast the news with high importance.

Indian newspapers including Hindustan Times and The Indian Express also gave significant coverage to the reported death. Meanwhile, CNN and The Guardian noted that a statement from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as reported by the media, confirmed the news and mentioned that she was 80 years old at the time.

Media reports further stated that AKM Wahiduzzaman, BNP’s Information and Technology Affairs Secretary, and former Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan confirmed the matter to journalists. Khaleda Zia had reportedly been admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for advanced medical care.