BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to depart for Dhaka at 4:10 PM (GMT) today (Monday) aboard a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, as all necessary preparations for her return home have already been completed.
BNP sources said Khaleda’s residence, ‘Firoza,’ located in Dhaka's Gulshan-2 area, has also been fully prepared to receive her, while thousands of the party’s leaders and workers are set to give her a massive reception from the airport to her home.
“She is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 10am Tuesday. We hope that she will reach Dhaka on time,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB on Monday.
Avoiding Inconvenience to SSC Examinees
He urged party leaders and activists to remain alert and not cause any traffic congestion while welcoming the BNP chief upon her return home, as there is an SSC exam scheduled for Tuesday.
The BNP Secretary General also called upon the law enforcers and party workers to ensure that no public inconvenience arises during the reception of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“We urge the police authorities, especially those involved with traffic management, to ensure that no one is allowed to stand on the streets,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of maintaining order during the SSC examination, the BNP leader requested all leaders and activists of the party and its affiliated organisations not to block roads or disrupt traffic.
“Everyone must remain alert so that students can reach their exam centres without any difficulty. We will all do our utmost to ensure that examinees face no trouble in getting to their exam centres,” Fakhrul assured.
Massive Reception Plan
Since the BNP chief will be travelling from Dhaka Airport to her residence in Gulshan via the Kakoli route, Fakhrul urged everyone not to stand on the road in any way. “Those who wish to welcome Madam should stand on the footpath and greet her from there. We have instructed that party leaders and activists may hold national and BNP flags while receiving her.”
Khaleda Zia undergoes 'complete health check-up in London
He also requested the general public to use the elevated expressway from the airport to Kakoli during Khaleda’s return to avoid traffic congestion.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party leaders and relatives will receive Khaleda at the airport on Tuesday morning.
According to the BNP’s plan, the party’s Dhaka North City unit will be positioned from the airport to Le Meridien Hotel, while members of Chhatra Dal will stand from Le Meridien to Khilkhet. Jubo Dal will be stationed from Khilkhet to Hotel Radisson and the Dhaka South City unit BNP will take position from Radisson to the Army Stadium.
Swechchhasebak Dal will cover the stretch from the Army Stadium to Banani Graveyard, while Krishak Dal will be present from Banani Graveyard to Kakoli intersection. Sramik Dal will stand from Kakoli to the Banani Sheraton Hotel, and Ulema Dal, Tanti Dal, Jasas, and Matsyajibi Dal will position themselves from Banani Sheraton to Banani kitchen market.
The Muktijoddha Dal and other professional bodies will be stationed from Banani kitchen market to Gulshan-2, while Mohila Dal and members of BNP’s National Executive Committee will be present from the Gulshan-2 roundabout to Gulshan Avenue.
Leaders and activists coming from different districts have been requested to take positions at locations of their convenience along the route.
The party said no one will be allowed to enter the airport premises or the residence of the BNP Chairperson, and walking or motorbike processions accompanying the Chairperson’s motorcade will be strictly prohibited.
Departure and Arrival Schedules
Khaleda Zia’s two daughters-in-law—her eldest son Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman—will accompany Khaleda along with her other entourage, including her medical team.
Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, the BNP Chief’s personal physician who will also accompany her on the flight, confirmed that she will depart from London’s Heathrow Airport at 4:10pm (London Time and 10:10 BD time) on Monday.
He said the flight, provided by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, includes a stopover in Doha, with the aircraft scheduled to reach Hamad International Airport at 2:30am local time.
Khaleda Zia's condition much better, says Fakhrul
Zahid also said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will personally drive his mother to Heathrow Airport and see her off there.
Asked about her current health condition, Zahid said, “Alhamdulillah, Madam is doing better than before. We expect to reach the airport in time for the flight.”
Khaleda Zia travelled to London on 8 January in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained under the care 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.
After 17 days at the London Clinic, she has since been under the supervision of specialists Prof Patrick Kennedy and Prof Jennifer Cross at Tarique Rahman’s residence.
‘Firoza’ Ready
Meanwhile, the BNP has completed all preparations to give the BNP Chief a massive reception on her way back to her Gulshan residence from the airport.
The BNP chief’s Gulshan residence, 'Firoza', located at House 1, Road 80, has been fully prepared to welcome her.
The premises have been cleaned and decorated with flower pots in the garden, and utilities such as electricity, gas, and water supply have been checked, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Surrounded by high walls, the residence features a security room at the entrance, where members of the police and the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF) are stationed in shifts to ensure round-the-clock security, he said.
Sayrul said inside the house, all rooms have been thoroughly cleaned. “The front garden has been decorated with flower pots, adding a touch of colour and warmth in anticipation of her arrival.”
“Everything is ready. Madam’s family members have supervised all arrangements. Now we are all waiting for her return,” he said.
Zubaida’s Homecoming After 17 Years
Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.
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After 17 years in exile, Dr Zubaida Rahman is also returning home with her mother-in-law, with a plan to stay at her father’s Dhanmondi residence.
Her father’s house, known as Mahbub Bhaban, is located on Road 5 of Dhanmondi and is also prepared to welcome Zubaida.
Though the house is already well-kept, additional arrangements have been made so that Zubaida can stay there with comfort and security.
Officials from the police and intelligence agencies have already inspected the house and outlined necessary measures for her safety, as the BNP wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting armed protection, police presence at the residence, and the installation of an archway scanner, citing potential security threats to her.