Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returned to Bangladesh on Tuesday after four months of medical treatment in London, increasing pressure on the country's interim government to announce a timeline for national elections.
Zia arrived in Dhaka by air ambulance. She was greeted at the airport by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders and later seen in a wheelchair while a large crowd of supporters gathered outside and along the route to her home. The 78-year-old smiled and waved to the crowds.
Her return comes at a time of political uncertainty. Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August last year following a student-led uprising. Hasina is now in exile in India.
The BNP and its allies have urged the interim government to quickly hold elections to restore democratic rule. The party considers Zia's presence in the country to hold value, particularly with her rival Hasina abroad. BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said her return would facilitate a path to democratic transition.
Zia, who served three terms as Prime Minister, faced corruption charges brought during Hasina's administration. Her party described the cases as politically motivated. The Supreme Court in January acquitted Zia in one case, overturning a 10-year sentence. This followed a November 2024 acquittal in a separate case.
Zia had been released from prison previously on condition that she not leave the country without permission. She traveled to her transport to London earlier this year for treatment.
The interim government has stated it plans to hold elections by either December this year or June 2026, depending on the pace of reforms. The BNP is seeking a firmer commitment.
Tarique Rahman, Zia's elder son, leads the BNP as acting chief from exile, also in London. Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh’s independence struggle from Pakistan in 1971. Zia is the widow of Ziaur Rahman, a former military ruler.
