Order comes as Bangladesh’s military forms an interim government following violent unrest and Hasina’s resignation
DHAKA: In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, just hours after a significant political upheaval saw her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina ousted and the military assuming control of the country.
According to a statement from the president’s press team, a decisive meeting led by President Shahabuddin resulted in the unanimous decision to release Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The meeting, which was attended by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the heads of the navy and air force, and top leaders from opposition parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, also resolved to release all individuals arrested during the recent student protests. General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced on state television that Sheikh Hasina had resigned from her position, following intense and violent unrest.
The military has declared its intention to form a caretaker government to oversee the transition period. The interim government is expected to manage affairs until new elections can be arranged. The unrest that led to these developments began in early July when protests erupted nationwide against Hasina’s government. Despite her attempts to quell the protests, the violence escalated significantly, culminating in nearly 100 deaths and prompting Hasina to flee the country on Sunday. The intensity of the unrest highlighted the deepening political crisis in Bangladesh.
Khaleda Zia, who is 78 years old and in poor health, has been imprisoned since 2018 following a conviction on graft charges. Her release was a central demand of the opposition parties and a significant factor in the broader struggle between the ruling party and its adversaries. The decision to release Zia reflects a significant shift in the political landscape and could potentially alter the course of Bangladesh’s political future. The formation of an interim government by the military marks a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s political trajectory.
The interim administration will be tasked with stabilizing the country and overseeing preparations for future elections. The release of Zia and other detained individuals is expected to ease some of the tensions and might pave the way for dialogue between the new government and opposition parties. As the situation unfolds, both domestic and international observers will be closely monitoring the developments in Bangladesh, particularly how the new interim government addresses the country’s political and economic challenges, and the impact of these changes on future elections and democratic processes.
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