Who is Khaleda Zia? Bangladesh President Orders Her Release From Jail Amid Crisis

Zia was born in Dinajpur, East Bengal (now Bangladesh) on August 15th,1945. 1959 she married Ziaur Rahman, a purported war hero and leading figure in the Bangladeshi independence movement. Zia took little interest in politics until the presidency of her husband, which began in 1977 and ended upon his assassination in 1981.

After her husband was assassinated during his leadership in 1981, Zia began to play an active role in politics becoming chairperson of BNP and leading it from 16 May to 30 October 1984. After winning the elections in 1991, she was elected as Prime Minister. Zia tried to tackle Bangladesh's economic problems and improve education during her first term, but a 1991 cyclone hit harder than expected.

After protests, Zia won a second term in 1996 but resigned the next month. She returned to power in 2001, promising a crackdown on corruption and terrorism. She stepped down at the end of 2006. Zia was arrested on corruption charges by an army-backed government that assumed power following her departure in 2007.

Khaleda Zia has two sons:

• Tarique Rahman (1967)- The elder son, is the acting chairman of BNP and his life has also been marred by legal problems including a life sentence in absentia for his alleged involvement in a 2004 grenade attack. He currently lives in London.

• Arafat Rahman "Koko" (born 1967) - A less active political figure, Koko died from cardiac arrest in July 2015

Why was Khaleda Zia sent to jail?

The main reason Khaleda Zia received a prison sentence was her involvement in corruption involving the Zia Orphanage Trust. She was found guilty in February 2018 by a Dhaka court of stealing more than 21 million Bangladeshi Taka, or roughly $252,000, meant for the orphanage. 

The case arose from accusations that she stole money intended for charity reasons from outside donations, specifically for an orphanage founded under the name of her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.

She was first given a five-year prison sentence, but when more accusations from the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case were brought against her, her sentence was eventually enhanced to a total of 17 years. Her supporters have fiercely criticized the accusations and her subsequent imprisonment, claiming that they were politically motivated.

Khaleda Zia’s Release 

Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been ordered to be released from jail by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. This decision comes amid a significant political crisis following the resignation and flight of her rival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after violent protests erupted across the country.

The president's order for Zia's release was made during a meeting that included military leaders and opposition party figures, where it was unanimously decided to free her and others detained during recent protests. The unrest in Bangladesh has been fueled by dissatisfaction with Hasina's government, particularly regarding a controversial job quota system, leading to major violence and loss of life.

As her party, the BNP, tries to regain power, Zia's return to politics might energize the opposition and change the nature of politics in Bangladesh. The future course of Bangladesh will be determined in a major way by how the government and opposition handle issues of public opinion, governance, and stability in a political environment that is sharply split in the upcoming weeks and months.

Also Read | List of Bangladesh Prime Ministers (1971- 2024)