Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadder, from a special anti-corruption court in the capital, Dhaka, issued the warrant against Zia despite the fact that she has been "confined” to her office since January over the political unrest in the country, Zia's lawyer Sanaullah Miah said on Wednesday.
Zia, who is accused in two corruption cases of embezzling $650,000 during her tenure as premier in 2001-2006, could face a life sentence if found guilty.
The former premier says the embezzlement charges are politically motivated, aimed at destroying her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Bangladeshi authorities have recently put more pressure on 69-year-old Zia, who has been confined in her office at the opposition headquarters in Dhaka since January 3.
On January 6, Zia called for a nationwide transport blockade as part of efforts to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and pave the way for new elections.