Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina led the Awami League to victory in the June 1996 general election, becoming Prime Minister of Bangladesh. This marked her first term in office, beginning a political career that would make her the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history.

Sheikh Hasina's government signed a peace accord with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti, ending a two-decade-long insurgency in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The agreement granted autonomy and land rights to indigenous communities, though implementation has been partial.

A grenade attack targeted Sheikh Hasina during a rally in Kotalipara, Gopalganj. The attack killed 24 people and injured hundreds, including Hasina. The incident was widely attributed to political opponents and remains a key event in Bangladesh's political violence.

Sheikh Hasina's government launched the Digital Bangladesh program, aiming to expand internet access, digitize government services, and promote ICT education. The initiative contributed to economic growth and improved public service delivery, though digital divides persist.

Sheikh Hasina was sworn in for a fourth consecutive term after the Awami League won the 2018 general election. The election was criticized by opposition parties and international observers for irregularities and lack of a level playing field.