Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and opposition leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced.
Khaleda, aged 80, had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, her doctors said.
A post on the party’s Facebook read: “BNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia passed away today at 6am just after Fajr (dawn prayer) […] We seek forgiveness of his soul and pray for his departed soul from everyone.”
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.

