AdvertisementAdvertisementBangladesh's former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia (centre) is seen after a court appearance in Dhaka on Dec 28, 2017. (File photo: AP/AM Ahad)30 Dec 2025 09:55AM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST DHAKA: Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died on Tuesday (Dec 30) aged 80, her Bangladesh National Party said."The BNP Chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6am, just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer," the party said in a statement."We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul," it added.Source: AFP/kgNewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST