BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the health condition of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is “very critical” and urged the nation to pray for her recovery.

“You all know that our leader Begum Khaleda Zia has fallen ill and been hospitalised. Last night (Thursday), doctors said her health condition is very critical,” he said while talking to journalists after a special prayer programme following Juma prayers at the Nayapaltan Central Jam-e-Mosque.

On behalf of the party, Fakhrul said they requested people across the country to pray for Khaleda Zia’s recovery after Juma prayers. “As part of this programme, we offered prayers at the New Paltan Mosque and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant her recovery and good health.”

“We have prayed to Allah to heal her completely so that she can return to the people and continue serving them. Once again, we appeal to the people to pray for her speedy recovery. Please, you all pray for the Madam,” he added.

The BNP leader also highlighted Khaleda Zia’s lifelong struggle for democracy, saying, “She has fought for democracy, faced persecution, and endured imprisonment. She is now hospitalised due to illness.”

Earlier in the day, Fakhrul also informed journalists at the opening session of the biennial council of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) about her critical health condition and sought prayers from the public.

According to the party, special prayer sessions were held at mosques across the country after Juma prayers on Friday for Khaleda Zia’s recovery.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs.

She is also suffering from pneumonia and is currently receiving treatment under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital, under the supervision of both local and foreign specialist doctors.