Bangladesh: A Look at the Prime Ministers

History of Bangladesh's Prime Ministers

Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, has a long history of prime ministers. The first prime minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was elected in 1971 and served until his assassination in 1975.

From 1971 to present

Since then, Bangladesh has had a total of 11 prime ministers, including the current prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Hasina has served her first term as Prime Minister from June 1996 to July 2001. She signed the 30-year water-sharing treaty with India governing the Ganges River.

Hasina has secured her fourth straight term in office, but critics say the vote was not fair. Bangladesh under Ms. Hasina presents a complex and challenging picture.