• She served as PM from 1991 to 1996 and later from 2001 to 2006.

• What? Former Bangladesh PM Begum Khaleda Zia Passed Away
• Where?  Dhaka (Bangladesh)
• Political Party: BNP (Chairperson)
• Significance: First female PM of Bangladesh
• PM Tenure: 1991-1996, 2001-2006

About Begum Khaleda Zia:
Profile: Khaleda Zia is the spouse of Ziaur Rahman, former President of Bangladesh. She entered politics after the assassination of her husband in 1981.
Career: In 1982, she joined the BNP, which was founded by Ziaur Rahman. In 1984, she became the Chairperson of the BNP. She emerged as an opposition leader against the military rule of H.M. Ershad, leading pro-democracy movements.
Leadership Roles: In 1991, after the fall of military rule, BNP won the free elections, and Khaleda Zia became the first woman PM of Bangladesh. She served till 1996, restoring parliamentary democracy, strengthening democratic institutions, and economic liberalization and private-sector growth.

• In 1996, her government resigned amid political unrest over election demands.
• In 2001, she again became the PM, focusing on infrastructure development, economic growth, strengthening relations with China, Pakistan, and Middle Eastern countries. Her tenure ended due to political instability in 2006.

Awards: In 2022, she was honored with the ‘Mother of Democracy’ award by the Canadian Human Rights International Organization (CHRIO) for her contributions to democracy and human rights.
About Bangladesh:
President – Mohammed Shahabuddin
Capital – Dhaka
Currency – Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)