Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound grief at the death of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, he said with the demise of Khaleda Zia, the nation has lost a great guardian. He was deeply mournful and heartbroken by her death.
Khaleda Zia was not just the leader of a political party; she was an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Considering her contributions, her long struggle, and the public’s sentiment towards her, the government declared her a Very Important Person (VIP) of the state.
The chief adviser also said that her role in the struggle for establishing democracy, a multi-party political culture, and people’s rights in Bangladesh will be remembered. Due to her uncompromising leadership, the nation was repeatedly freed from undemocratic conditions and found inspiration for liberation.
The nation will remember her contributions to the country and its people with respect.
Despite political differences, her long political journey for the welfare of the nation, her pro-people leadership, and her strong resolve have always shown the way. With her death, the country has lost an experienced and tested politician.
Yunus said, “Three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and BNP’s Chairperson, who led the fight to restore democracy against autocratic rule.
After the death of her husband, former President and Army Chief, valiant freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, who entered the political arena from being a housewife in 1982, played a major role in her bold leadership to bring down the nine-year misrule of autocrat Ershad.
He said many of Khaleda Zia’s works and decisions took the country far ahead. She introduced free education and stipends for girls, which is considered a milestone in the advancement of women’s education in Bangladesh.
Khaleda Zia was immensely successful in her political life. She never lost any election. From 1991 to the 2001 general elections, she was elected from five separate parliamentary constituencies. In 2008, she won in all three constituencies she contested.
The chief adviser mentioned that after being elected prime minister in 1991, she laid a strong foundation for the country’s economy through economic liberalisation.
During Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime, Khaleda Zia was a unique symbol of struggle and resistance. Her uncompromising role greatly inspired the nation in the long battle and struggle.
Due to her political success, Khaleda Zia became a victim of extreme political vengeance. She was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment in false and fabricated cases and had to endure long imprisonment.
Yunus also expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family and party members of Khaleda Zia.
On this day of the nation’s irreparable loss, he urged the people to remain calm and patient and requested everyone to pray for Khaleda Zia from their respective positions.
