In a long-awaited touching moment, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has embraced her eldest son and BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at London's Heathrow International Airport on Wednesday, ending a separation of over seven years.
The mother and son, both prominent figures in Bangladesh's political field, were visibly moved as they met.
Khaleda reaches London for treatment
Khaleda Zia, who has faced numerous challenges in recent years, appeared emotional as she held Tarique, the reunion capturing the raw emotion of a family brought back together after years of trials and tribulations.
The BNP chief, who left Dhaka on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar, arrived in London to receive advanced treatment at The London Clinic.
Khaleda finally off to London for treatment
The air ambulance touched down at Heathrow at 2:55 pm (Bangladesh time), Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Media Cell, told UNB.
At the airport, Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, greeted his mother with open arms.
The Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, also welcomed Khaleda Zia at the airport with flowers.
BNP’s UK chapter President MA Malek, General Secretary Koyser M Ahmad and many other leaders and activists were present at the airport to welcome Khaleda.
Khaleda sets off for airport to fly to London tonight
After completing the immigration process, Khaleda Zia is expected to leave through the Royal VIP Gate of Terminal 4 and head directly to the hospital in an ambulance.
Tarique and his family have been living in London since 2008. This marks Khaleda's first overseas trip since her release from jail, and her second medical journey abroad, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment.
On July 15, 2017, the BNP chief went to London and received treatment, spent time with her family members and celebrated Eid-ul-Azha with them during her three month stay there.
The 79-year-old, three-time former prime minister, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:46pm on Tuesday, heading for London via Doha on the Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance.
The air ambulance took off 1 hour and 46 minutes late, as Khaleda's convoy moved slowly amidst the huge crowd of BNP leaders and activists lining the streets.
Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members, saw off Khaleda at the airport.
Khaleda sets off for airport to fly to London tonight
Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021.
Despite the severity of her condition, she was denied permission to travel for treatment by the Awami League government, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases.
On August 6, 2024, a day after the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin, paving the way for her overseas treatment.
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Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister, has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.
From the airport, Khaleda will be directly admitted to “The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, from the Heathrow Airport, said her physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
He said the former prime minister will remain under care at The London Clinic, where doctors will assess her health and determine her next course of treatment.
