Khaleda Zia travelled to London on 8 January in a special air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Photo: Collected
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BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Photo: Collected
Highlights:
- Khaleda returning after 4 months of advanced treatment at London Clinic
- Return via Qatari air ambulance or Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- Gulshan residence ‘Firoza’ prepared for her arrival
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is going to return home on Monday (5 May) after a four-month stay in London for advanced medical treatment.
She is expected to be accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Dr Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
“Insha’Allah, Madam will return on the morning of May 5 (Monday). As far as we know, her two daughters-in-law are also expected to accompany her,” he said.
Khaleda Zia travelled to London on 8 January in a special air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar.
Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital in London, where she remained under the supervision of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for 17 days.
Since 25 January, she has been receiving treatment at the residence of her elder son Tarique Rahman.
This year, for the first time in over half a decade, Khaleda Zia celebrated Eid with her family members in London.
Asked about her current health condition, Fakhrul said, “Alhamdulillah, Madam is definitely doing better than before.”
Replying to another question, he said they had a plan to bring the BNP Chairperson back via the same Qatari air ambulance which carried her to London on 8 January.
“There have been some delays due to technical reasons. If the air ambulance is not available at the last moment, Madam has decided to return by Biman Bangladesh Airlines,” he said.
The BNP leader said all arrangements have been made with Biman in this regard.
“If she departs on 4 May, Insha’Allah she will arrive in Dhaka by around 11am the following day.”
BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said Khaleda’s Gulshan residence ‘Firoza’ has been cleaned and made ready as she is returning home.
Khaleda’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said, “We are completing all necessary preparations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities have been informed about Madam’s return.”
Last week, Mirza Fakhrul formally informed the Interim Government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain of Khaleda Zia’s planned return in a letter.
Later, both the Bangladesh High Commissions in London and Doha have reportedly been engaged in facilitating her journey home.
Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in 2018 under the then Sheikh Hasina-led government following a conviction in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
In March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily released her on an executive order, suspending her sentence on the condition that she remain at her Gulshan residence and not leave the country.
On 6 August 2023, Khaleda Zia was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.