02:39Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia praised the resilience of the Bangladeshi people stressing that their efforts 'made the impossible possible' leading to her release from what she termed a 'fascist illegal government' in a video message posted on social media in Dhaka on Wednesday.
"I thank God for being able to speak in front of you after being ill for a long time. Thank you all for your struggle, prayers for my release from prison and my recovery," she added.
Khaleda Zia was released on the orders of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, issued within hours of the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India on 5 August.
In her message, the former prime minister and BNP chairperson also emphasised the need to build a 'prosperous Bangladesh' to fulfil the dreams of the country's youth and students.
"These students are our future. To realize the dream for which they poured their heart and blood, a democratic Bangladesh based on merit, competence and knowledge should be built," she continued.
Reiterating that 'this victory' had brought 'new possibilities', she called for a focus on unity and progress and urged against 'destruction' and 'revenge'.
"The rights of all religions and tribes must be ensured. Let's build the future of Bangladesh based on peace, progress, and equality, we strengthen the hands of the youth," she noted.
Khaleda Zia was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to 17 years in prison but has spent most of her sentence in hospital due to ongoing health problems.
Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to facilitate new elections following Hasina's resignation, after weeks of escalating violence across the country that reportedly left more than 200 people dead in protests over a quota system that reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
Following these events, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government. Following talks with Waker-Uz-Zaman and opposition leaders, President Mohammed Shahabuddin also announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to oversee new elections.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with a leadership vacuum and clashes between political factions. Sheikh Hasina served as Prime Minister from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from January 2009 to August 2024.
'Made the impossible possible' - Former PM Khaleda Zia hails Bangladeshi 'struggle', credits public for freeing her from 'fascist govt'
Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia praised the resilience of the Bangladeshi people stressing that their efforts 'made the impossible possible' leading to her release from what she termed a 'fascist illegal government' in a video message posted on social media in Dhaka on Wednesday.
"I thank God for being able to speak in front of you after being ill for a long time. Thank you all for your struggle, prayers for my release from prison and my recovery," she added.
Khaleda Zia was released on the orders of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, issued within hours of the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India on 5 August.
In her message, the former prime minister and BNP chairperson also emphasised the need to build a 'prosperous Bangladesh' to fulfil the dreams of the country's youth and students.
"These students are our future. To realize the dream for which they poured their heart and blood, a democratic Bangladesh based on merit, competence and knowledge should be built," she continued.
Reiterating that 'this victory' had brought 'new possibilities', she called for a focus on unity and progress and urged against 'destruction' and 'revenge'.
"The rights of all religions and tribes must be ensured. Let's build the future of Bangladesh based on peace, progress, and equality, we strengthen the hands of the youth," she noted.
Khaleda Zia was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to 17 years in prison but has spent most of her sentence in hospital due to ongoing health problems.
Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to facilitate new elections following Hasina's resignation, after weeks of escalating violence across the country that reportedly left more than 200 people dead in protests over a quota system that reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
Following these events, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government. Following talks with Waker-Uz-Zaman and opposition leaders, President Mohammed Shahabuddin also announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to oversee new elections.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with a leadership vacuum and clashes between political factions. Sheikh Hasina served as Prime Minister from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from January 2009 to August 2024.
Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia praised the resilience of the Bangladeshi people stressing that their efforts 'made the impossible possible' leading to her release from what she termed a 'fascist illegal government' in a video message posted on social media in Dhaka on Wednesday.
"I thank God for being able to speak in front of you after being ill for a long time. Thank you all for your struggle, prayers for my release from prison and my recovery," she added.
Khaleda Zia was released on the orders of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, issued within hours of the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India on 5 August.
In her message, the former prime minister and BNP chairperson also emphasised the need to build a 'prosperous Bangladesh' to fulfil the dreams of the country's youth and students.
"These students are our future. To realize the dream for which they poured their heart and blood, a democratic Bangladesh based on merit, competence and knowledge should be built," she continued.
Reiterating that 'this victory' had brought 'new possibilities', she called for a focus on unity and progress and urged against 'destruction' and 'revenge'.
"The rights of all religions and tribes must be ensured. Let's build the future of Bangladesh based on peace, progress, and equality, we strengthen the hands of the youth," she noted.
Khaleda Zia was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to 17 years in prison but has spent most of her sentence in hospital due to ongoing health problems.
Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to facilitate new elections following Hasina's resignation, after weeks of escalating violence across the country that reportedly left more than 200 people dead in protests over a quota system that reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
Following these events, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government. Following talks with Waker-Uz-Zaman and opposition leaders, President Mohammed Shahabuddin also announced the dissolution of parliament and the formation of a national government to oversee new elections.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with a leadership vacuum and clashes between political factions. Sheikh Hasina served as Prime Minister from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from January 2009 to August 2024.