Dhaka, May 6 (HS): Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returned to the country from London on Tuesday morning after four months of medical treatment, intensifying pressure on the interim government to conduct elections. Zia, a key opponent of the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party are advocating for national elections in December to restore democratic governance.

While there was initial optimism following Hasina’s overthrow, concerns have arisen regarding the government’s commitment to timely elections, which are now promised for either December or by June next year, contingent on reform progress. Zia was welcomed by crowds outside Dhaka’s main airport, arriving via a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Due to serious health issues, Zia has not attended public events for years, and her elder son, Tarique Rahman, currently leads the party from exile in London. Zia’s return is symbolically significant as Bangladesh’s political landscape is dominated by her and Hasina’s rivalry since the country’s transition to democracy in 1991.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar