Khaleda Zia, the 80-year-old former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), remains in an extremely critical condition at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her personal physician, Dr. AZM Zahid, delivered the somber update during an unscheduled midnight briefing on December 27, 2025, stating that her health has not shown any improvement. Zia has been receiving treatment at the hospital since November 23 for multiple underlying health complications, and her condition deteriorated significantly on December 11 when she was placed on ventilator support to rest her lungs and other vital organs.

Dr. Zahid described Zia as currently passing through an "extremely critical phase," emphasizing the gravity of her situation. He appealed directly to the nation and her supporters to offer prayers for her recovery, underscoring the seriousness of the medical challenges she faces. The briefing came without prior notice, reflecting the urgency and unpredictability surrounding her health status. No further details on specific ailments were disclosed during the statement, though her prolonged hospitalization has drawn widespread attention amid Bangladesh's ongoing political transitions.

Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister in multiple terms between 1991 and 2006, has been a central figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades as the leader of the BNP, one of the country's two major political parties. Her health has been a matter of public concern for several years, with previous periods of hospitalization and medical treatment both in Bangladesh and abroad. The latest developments occur against the backdrop of significant political changes in the country, including the recent return of her exiled son and acting BNP chairman, Tarique Rahman, to Dhaka, which has fueled speculation about the party's future direction.

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The news of Zia's critical condition has prompted an outpouring of concern and prayers from BNP supporters, political leaders across party lines, and ordinary citizens. As Bangladesh continues to navigate its interim government phase under Muhammad Yunus following recent upheavals, the health status of one of its most prominent opposition figures remains a focal point of national attention. Medical updates are expected to continue as doctors monitor her condition closely in the intensive care setting.

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