Why former PM Khaleda Zia's return to Bangladesh matters

After several months of medical treatment in London, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's return to Bangladesh has ignited political excitement and speculation.

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Her arrival on Tuesday, reported by The Associated Press, was more than a personal milestone—it marked a pivotal moment for the opposition and the future of Bangladesh's democracy. Welcomed by thousands of jubilant supporters at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the 78-year-old leader's comeback adds a new dimension to the already turbulent political environment in the country.

Khaleda Zia is a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics. She served as Prime Minister three times and has been a central player in the nation's political theater since the early 1990s. Her rivalry with current political heavyweight Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, has shaped the country's modern political narrative. Zia is also the widow of Ziaur Rahman, a former president and military leader who was assassinated in 1981. Together, Hasina and Zia have alternated power in the post-Ershad democratic era, with their rivalry often spilling into the streets and courtrooms.