Dhaka, Jan. 7 -- General Shirley Botchwey on Wednesday said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was a towering figure in Bangladesh's political landscape and a trailblazer who broke barriers as the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

"Her leadership across three terms demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Bangladeshi people," she said in a message sent to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

She said Begum Zia's legacy extends beyond the borders of Bangladesh, as she served as an inspiration to female leaders across South Asia and the wider Commonwealth.

"It is with sadness that I learnt of the passing of the former Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia," sai...