Zia became the country’s first female leader in 1991 after its first democratic election in 20 years.
Category: World
Brigitte Bardot: From French cinema to international fame
The French model and actress has died at the age of 91.
The blonde bombshell who revolutionised French cinema
The cocktail of kittenish charm and continental sensuality who swept away the cinematic cobwebs of the 1950s.
An orphan’s brutal murder shines a spotlight on child abuse in Somalia
The woman who was supposed to care for Saabirin Saylaan was found to have beaten and tortured her.
Catching the hunters trapping rare songbirds in China
The BBC catches a man trapping songbirds – selling them is a profitable business because many keep them as pets.
Why Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is controversial
Somaliland wants international recognition – here’s why, and what could have driven Israel to recognise it now.
Nepal to scrap ‘failed’ Mount Everest waste deposit scheme
Under the scheme, climbers paid a $4,000 deposit that was returned if they brought 8kg of waste down the mountain.
Living in fear of Lakurawa – the militant group Trump targeted in Nigeria strikes
“We cannot live freely. You cannot even play music” – residents tell the BBC of militants’ rule.
Toxic air, broken roads and unpicked rubbish – why India’s big cities are becoming unliveable
Many Indian cities rank at the bottom of liveability indexes despite big government spending on infrastructure.
Trump and Zelensky appear more upbeat – but show little evidence that peace is near for Ukraine
Although both leaders express optimism in Florida there is no indication of progress, writes the BBC’s Vitaliy Shevchenko.