Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has issued a message of hope and gratitude following her release from prison, after the abrupt resignation and departure of Sheikh Hasina from the Prime Minister’s office. In a video message posted on social media from her hospital bed, Zia praised the efforts of the country’s youth and called for a rebuilding of the nation.
Zia, who had been imprisoned since 2018 on corruption charges, was granted freedom by President Mohammed Shahabuddin just hours after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Zia thanked the public for their prayers and support during her incarceration, and specifically acknowledged the “brave children” who she said made the “impossible possible.”
“This victory has brought us to a new beginning,” Zia stated. “We have to build a new country, a prosperous Bangladesh, out of the long-standing wreckage of democracy and piled-up corruption. The students, the youth, are our future. We will bring to life the dreams for which they gave their lifeblood.”
The release of the former Prime Minister, who heads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, came amid continuing violence in Bangladesh. Since Hasina’s departure from Dhaka, at least twenty Awami League leaders have been found dead across the country. The unrest follows Hasina’s resignation after a 45-minute ultimatum from the army, leading her to seek refuge in India.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead the interim government, has urged calm amidst the ongoing turmoil. Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that Hasina’s stay in India was granted to allow her time to recover before discussing her next steps.
Zia’s release marks a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Bangladesh, as the country grapples with the aftermath of recent upheavals and the ongoing challenge of restoring stability and democracy.
Sources By Agencies
