Thousands of people gathered outside the Gulshan residence of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Tuesday to bid her farewell as she is set to depart for medical treatment in London.
The crowd, consisting mainly of BNP leaders and activists, filled the streets near her home, showing deep love, affection and support for their beloved ailing 79-year-old leader, who has been battling serious health issues.
Emotions run high as many supporters are chanting slogans, expressing their well-wishes for Khaleda’s recovery.
The scene outside her residence was marked by both solidarity and concern, as her supporters gathered in large numbers to see her off ahead of her flight to London, where she will receive advanced medical care at The London Clinic.
The large turnout caused traffic disruptions around the BNP chief’s residence, leading to public inconvenience.
Khaleda is scheduled to leave her Gulshan residence around 8pm and is expected to reach the airport by 9pm, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell.
Khaleda set to fly to London tonight
He said the BNP chief is scheduled to depart from the airport at 10pm, accompanied by her entourage, including six doctors from her medical team.
Meanwhile, the BNP has issued special instructions to its leaders and activists to avoid causing any public inconvenience while bidding farewell to their beloved leader.
The party has requested the leaders and activists of its Dhaka South and North City units, along with all other affiliated organisations, to gather in an orderly manner on the footpaths to bid farewell to the former Prime Minister, without obstructing traffic or pedestrians.
The party also revealed the route for Khaleda Zia's convoy to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
According to the route plan, the BNP chief will travel to the airport from her residence, Firoza, via the Gulshan-2 intersection and Banani-Kakoli crossing.
To ensure security during Khaleda’s departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams.
A special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has landed on the VIP tarmac at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:40pm on Monday to transport BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London.
The Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, designed for long-distance medical evacuations, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, making it a "flying ICU." It includes ventilators, defibrillators.
Earlier on Monday, BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Khaleda Zia will be directly admitted to “The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, after arriving at Heathrow International Airport in the UK.
He said Khaleda, along with her entourage—including six doctors from her medical team and four doctors from the air ambulance—will depart Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 10pm on Tuesday for London via Doha.
Khaleda to be directly admitted to ‘London Clinic’ on arrival
He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife, and BNP leaders from the UK chapter will welcome Khaleda upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport.
The BNP leader said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arranged for a special air ambulance from the royal fleet after learning of Khaleda’s illness.
Tarique Rahman and his family have been living in London since 2008. This will be Khaleda Zia’s second overseas medical trip, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment.
This will be her first reunion with her son Tarique in seven years, and her first overseas visit since she was freed from jail.
Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.