Khaleda Zia
Sending Khaleda abroad essential for peace, stability: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said it is essential to send their party chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment for the sake of peace and stability in the country.
"We’re placing our demand peacefully. We’ve been repeatedly calling upon you (govt) to send her (Khaleda) abroad for treatment. We don’t understand where’s the problem? You’re talking about the law and giving its wrong interpretation,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he also said their chairperson needs treatment abroad as there is no such advanced centre in the country to treat her. “No one, except our leader Khaleda Zia, can bring peace, stability and restore democracy in the country. So, send her abroad for treatment.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
About the BNP chief’s health condition, Fakhrul said she is still critically ill and doctors are working hard to save her life.
He said the government is not willing to allow Khaleda to go abroad as it fears she will again raise her voice against corruption, anti-people activities and work for establishing people’s rights returning home after her recovery from illness.
The BNP leader claimed that Khaleda was convicted in ‘false’ cases through staging a farce in the name of justice.
Fakhrul said there is no legal barrier for the government to send the BNP chief abroad for treatment. “As per section 401 (of the Criminal Code of Procedures) it is only the government which can send her overseas.”
He alleged that Law Minister Anisul Huq is confusing people by giving a ‘false’ explanation of section 401.
Also read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from liver, kidney and heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday warned that there will be a mass upsurge in the country if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia for lack of treatment as people will not remain silent.
"People won’t play the role of a silent spectator, if you (govt) kill the most popular leader of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia, without treatment,” he told a human-chain programme.
The BNP leader said people will not accept the conspiracy of the government against Khaleda Zia as they did not accept the Agartala “conspiracy” case in the past. “There’ll be a mass uprising, and the movement will be carried out in a democratic process.”
He urged people to get ready to intensify BNP’s current movement in a peaceful manner.
Read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul
Jatiya Party (Qazi Zafar), one of the allies of the 20-party alliance, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said physicians at the largest hospital in Bangladesh are saying Khaleda has some complications that cannot be treated here while prominent lawyers are saying there is no legal bar to sending her abroad for advanced treatment under the current situation.
“But the government, which has been in power without people’s votes, won’t allow our leader to go outside the country for advanced treatment. Where the law is not a barrier and humanity is needed, what’s the justification of obstructing her (from going abroad)?” he questioned.
Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not willing to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment out of political vengeance. “They (govt) are now using the state machinery and the state power to take their political revenge.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital for various health complications, including that of liver, cardiac and kidneys, since November 13.
Khaleda might have been subjected to “slow-poisoning”: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday suspected that their party chairperson Khaleda might have been subjected to slow-poisoning during her stay in Old Dhaka Central Jail.
“As part of a plot hatched during the 1/11 changeover, she (Khaleda) was sent to jail by convicting her in false cases. She was kept for about two years in an abandoned damp building of the Old Dhaka’s Central Jail where rats used to run around,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he said the BNP chief was later taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from the jail, but she was not given proper treatment there.
“Many people have this question now: was there any arrangement for slow-poisoning Khaleda Zia on that day? We want to know this clearly. Nothing is impossible for them (govt).”
Also read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
He said it is possible to do anything bad for the government when it could assume power by indulging in ‘vote robbery’ the night before the voting day, filing false cases against 35 lakh people, gunning down and maiming the pro-democracy leaders and activists, and making disappear around 500 opposition leaders and activists.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding Khaleda's treatment abroad.
Fakhrul called upon all, including their party leaders and activists, to take to the streets to force the government to allow Khaleda to go abroad.
“Khaleda Zia is now fighting for her life. Shall we stay indoors? We must put in our all-out efforts to save her life,” he said.
The BNP leader warned that the consequences will be dire if the government does not allow Khaleda to go abroad. "Let's be united in a stronger way and intensify our movement.”
Fakhrul said doctors at Evercare Hospital are saying they have no more capacity to treat the BNP chief as her condition turned so much critical.
”They’ve clearly said she (Khaleda) needs to be sent abroad immediately for her treatment. But Sheikh Hasina (PM) does not want to pay heed to it out of her vengeance. She’s conspiring to eliminate Khaleda Zia’s life, not only to remove her from politics,” he said.
The BNP leader said they know there has been international pressure on the government to send Khaleda abroad, but the Prime Minister is not willing to do so.
Also read: Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
Over 2,500 pro-BNP journalists demand Khaleda’s treatment abroad
Over 2,500 pro-BNP journalists on Wednesday demanded the government let BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian grounds.
“Doctors at Evercare Hospital said she (Khaleda) has reached a condition of life and death. There’s nothing left in the country to treat her,” said a statement issued by 2,582 pro-BNP journalists.
They said the BNP chief needs to be taken to an advanced medical centre abroad for treatment to save her life. “We urge the government to give her a scope to receive treatment abroad immediately on humanitarian grounds rising above politics.”
The journalists said the statements of the chief of Khaleda’s personal physician team about her health condition are a matter of deep concern.
Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
Being a top politician of the country, a former prime minister, a senior citizen, a woman as well as a prisoner, they said getting proper treatment is part of Khaleda’s minimum human rights.
“As a nation, it’s our responsibility and duty to ensure her fundamental rights and justice. We, therefore, urge the government to give her an opportunity for advanced treatment abroad by freeing her on permanent bail through the court,” the journalists said.
Considering Khaleda’s overall contributions and the difficult period of her old age, they hoped that the government would show sympathetic behavior towards her rising above politics.
Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme
The journalists also said the country’s people will take it positively if the government takes steps for Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
The signatories to the statement include journalists Reazuddin Ahmed, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Amanullah, Abul Asad, Shawkat Mahmud, Rezwan Siddiqui, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Salahuddin Mohammad Babar, Syed Mesbah Uddin, Abdul Hye Sikder, Ershad Majumder, Amanur Rahman Sarke, AL Mujahid, M Abdullah, NurulAmin Rokan, MA Aziz, Kader Gani Chowdhury, Kamaluddin Sabuj, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Masudur Rahman Khalili, Ilias Khan, Mursalin Nomani, Kazi Rawnak Hossain, BadiulAlam, Bakhtiar Rana, and Nuruddin Ahmed.
Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme
BNP and its associate bodies have taken up an eight-day countrywide programme to force the government for allowing its chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Wednesday.
The programmes include demonstration, rally, human chain, doa mahfil and silent procession.
Read: No change in Khaleda’s condition: Fakhrul
BNP, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, Muktijoddha Dal and Mohila Dal, Krishak Dal and Chhatra Dal will observe the programmes from November 25 to December 4.
As part of the programmes, he said, Jubo Dal will stage demonstrations across the country on November 25 (Thursday), while Swechchasebak Dal, Krishak Dal and Chhatra Dal will observe a similar programme all over the country on November 28, December 3 and December 4 respectively.
In Dhaka, the programmes will be held in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader said.
He said BNP will organise rallies in all district headquarters on December 30, while Muktijoddha Dal form human chains all over the country on December 2 and Mohila Dal take out silent processions across the country on December 1.
Besides, Fakhrul said, BNP will arrange doa mahfil in all mosques across the country after Juma’ prayers on November 26 praying for Khaleda’s release and early recovery. The other religious community members will also arrange prayer sessions in their worship places on the same day.
“We’re going to observe these programmes from tomorrow (Thursday) demanding Madam’s (Khaleda’s) release and her treatment abroad. Observance of these programmes will depend on Khaleda Zia’s health condition. We may change the programmes, if necessary,” he said.
He condemned the attacks on their party’s rallies in different parts of the country, including Khulna, Narsingdi, Natore, Satkhira and Barguna on Monday, demanding Khaleda’s release for advanced treatment outside the country.
Meanwhile, BNP’s all district units submitted memorandums to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across the country today (Wednesday) to press for their same demand.
On Monday, the party arranged countrywide rallies and observed a seven-hour mass-hunger strike all over the country on Saturday to mount pressure on the government to allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad.
Read:Pro-BNP lawyers’ memo over Khaleda’s treatment to be examined: Law Minister
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
No change in Khaleda’s condition: Fakhrul
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said there has been no improvement in the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital with multiple complications.
“She’s now in between life and death. The medical board formed for her treatment sat in a meeting today. What we came to know so far is that there has been no significant improvement in her condition,” said Fakrul while talking to reporters at BNP’s Gulshan office.
“When I visited her several times I found her mentally strong. Doctors also said she is mentally very strong despite her illness which will help her respond to treatment,” he said.
He urged the government to allow her to go abroad for treatment without further delay. “I urge the government to allow her to go abroad without considering the issue as political one and considering her contributions to the country and its people,” said Fakrul.
“Doctors are giving her the best ever treatment here, but her recovery is not possible in the country due to her critical condition. Doctors suggested us names of three countries – the UK, the USA or Germany -- where her treatment is possible,” he added.
Read: Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on November 13, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, said recently that the BNP chairperson has to make a fresh application first by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
Read: Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria
A delegation of pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Law Minister Anisul Huq seeking the government’s permission to send ailing Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.
They argued that there is no legal obstruction for the government in allowing Khaleda to go abroad.
The minister said that they will examine the memorandum.
Pro-BNP lawyers’ memo over Khaleda’s treatment to be examined: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said the memorandum submitted by pro-BNP lawyers seeking government permission to send its chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment will be examined.
“I would like to remind you one thing that Khaleda Zia was freed to stay home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considered the matter from a humanitarian aspect. So I would say the government doesn’t lack humanity or compassion.”
Read: Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister
“We know how to exhibit humanity and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina knows how to do it,” the minister added.
“I’ll definitely examine the memorandum. We need to hold discussions to make a decision and we’ll do that. I don't think it would be right for me to tell you anything prematurely today,” the minister added.
Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister
A delegation of pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Law Minister Anisul Huq seeking the government’s permission to send ailing Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.
They argued that there is no legal obstruction for the government in allowing Khaleda to go abroad.
The delegation, led by Advocate Fazlur Rahman, member secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF), met the Law Minister at his secretariat office around 1:45pm and submitted the memorandum to him.
Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP to submit memo to DC offices Wednesday
In the memorandum, the lawyers said the BNP chairperson and three-time (former) Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment in Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in a critical condition.
They said the specialist doctors who are treating her have already given an opinion to send her abroad for advanced treatment. “We the lawyers are concerned over the deterioration of health condition of the country’s three-time former Prime Minister…we think it’s imperative to allow her to go abroad for advanced treatment in a bid to save her life.”
They mentioned that the government released Khaleda as per section 401 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with two conditions and the tenure of her release was extended thrice.
“She didn’t violate any condition so far. The government can anytime make an arrangement for Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad by issuing a fresh gazette notification without imposing any condition under section 401 (1)or issuing a new order under subsection 6 of 401. In this case, there’s no legal barrier. Rather, such a decision of the government will be lawful,” the lawyers said.
Under the circumstances, they hoped that the government would demonstrate its generosity by taking necessary steps for sending Khaleda abroad for better treatment.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
Read: Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday threatened to wage a one-point movement seeking the fall of the government if Khaleda Zia is not allowed to go abroad for treatment.
“Our leader Khaleda Zia has been staying in a hospital with critical health problems. Doctors are saying it’s now essential for her to receive treatment abroad but that permission is not given,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader urged the government to take necessary steps so that the BNP chief can receive treatment in any advanced centre outside the country.
“We would like to say Begum Khaleda Zia be released immediately and given a scope to get treatment abroad. Otherwise, they‘ll have to face a one-point oust-government movement,” Fakhrul warned.
Read: No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister
BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme, marking the 45th death anniversary of great national leader Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.
Fakhrul recalled Bhasani’s lifelong struggle for ensuring the rights of common and working people and said Bhasani is also one of the key leaders who played a major role in liberating the country.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said people have been living in suffocating conditions. “People have got fed-up with the government as there is no democracy now and voting and other rights in the country.”
Read: Khaleda’s condition improves slightly: Physician
He alleged that Khaleda has been pushed towards death by sending her to jail “for no reason”.
The BNP leader urged all to get united for ousting the current government through a mass movement.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Biplobi Workers Party general secretary Saiful Haque, among others, spoke at the programme.
No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said there is no scope to send BNP chief Khaleda Zia abroad for her treatment as per the country’s law. “As per the law, there’s no scope but a delegation of the BNP-led 20-party alliance came and said the Prime Minister can do it if she wishes but so far I know there is no scope,” he said. The minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with the leaders of five political parties under the BNP-led 20-party alliance at the Secretariat.
“The leaders of five parties of the BNP-led alliance came here and said Khaleda Zia is fighting for life and they submitted an application to the Prime Minister seeking steps to create a scope for sending the BNP chief abroad for better treatment,” he said. “I’ve said it earlier that Khaleda’s younger brother also filed a petition and I sent it to the Law Ministry for its opinion, and the Law Minister has said in details while speaking in Parliament,” the minister said.
READ: Khaleda’s condition improves slightly: Physician
The leaders of the BNP-led delegation made a request to consider the matter on human grounds. “I’ll send the letter to the PM,” said Asaduzzaman. Replying to a question about brining physicians from abroad, the minister said, “It’s possible to bring any specialized physician from abroad and our hospitals are well-equipped. So, they can continue treatment here.” The leaders of five parties under the BNP-led met the Home Minister at his office at noon and handed over the letter seeking permission to send Khaleda Zia abroad. Bangladesh Kalyan Party Chairman Syed Ibrahim said: “We’ve met the Home Minister and submitted a letter to him. The Home Minister has heard our plea seriously and assured us of sending the letter to the Prime Minister.” On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
READ: Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.