'Brave Children Made Impossible Possible': Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia On Sheikh Hasina's Ouster, Appeals For Peace

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia applauded "brave children" for their "long movement and struggle" who made the "impossible possible" in a video message on Wednesday (7 August).

The brave children referral was for students' protestors and the impossible made possible is the resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the post of PM and staying in India for a while after fleeing from her country.

Soon after Hasina's resignation, Zia was released from prison by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. She released the video message from a hospital where is receiving treatment.

"This victory has brought us to a new beginning. We have to build a new country, a prosperous Bangladesh, out of the long-standing wreckage of democracy and piled-up corruption," Zia said.

"The students, the youth, are our future. We will bring to life the dreams for which they gave their lifeblood. We will make a democratic Bangladesh," Zia said appealing for peace.

Zia was in jail due to her conviction in a corruption case in 2018, after which she could not contest the elections in 2019. She was sentenced for 17 years but stayed in hospital for maximum time due to her health.

Another update is that she received a renewed passport, her party's media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan told Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

Zia is the chairperson of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and was the main opponent to Hasina's Awami League. The BNP had boycotted the 2024 general elections.