Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia exchanged greetings at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja on Thursday. Upon arrival at Senakunja, Khaleda was seated next to Dr Yunus, and the two engaged in conversation. Both were seen smiling and greeting each other during their interactions. At exactly 4:00 pm, the reception ceremony commenced with the national anthem being played. The Chief Advisor then delivered his speech. At the outset of his address, the Chief Adviser congratulated the members of the armed forces on Armed Forces Day and paid tribute to the memories of the martyrs who gave their lives in the Liberation War. The Chief Adviser then said, "Today, we are especially fortunate and honoured to have with us Begum Khaleda Zia, the wife of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, a freedom fighter, and three-time elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh." He said for a whole decade, the BNP Chief had not had the opportunity to attend this grand gathering. "Today, she has that opportunity, and we are all delighted and proud to have been able to offer it to her." The Chief Adviser expressed his gratitude to the BNP Chairperson for joining the event despite her long-standing health challenges and wished her a speedy recovery. "We thank her once again and extend a warm welcome to her at this event." BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said Khaleda Zia was warmly received by Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan as she arrived at the venue. After Khaleda Zia took her seat at Senakunja, he said the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, exchanged greetings with her. Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir arrived at the event and was moved to tears upon seeing Khaleda Zia at the event after a long time. Speaking to reporters at the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Khaleda Zia, who has dedicated her life to protecting democracy and the country’s independence and sovereignty, had been kept away from the patriotic armed forces for 12 years. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Adviser and the armed forces, including the chiefs of the three services, for honouring Khaleda on Armed Forces Day. “The entire nation is happy, and we are grateful for the honour bestowed upon Madam (Khaleda).” Apart from Fakhrul, his wife Rahat Ara Begum, and BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and other invited senior leaders also attended the reception ceremony. Khaleda Zia, a 79-year-old former Prime Minister, accompanied by the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, left her Gulshan residence around 3:30pm and arrived at the reception venue around 3:45pm. She got out of the vehicle, seated in a wheelchair, and made her way to the venue. This marks her first public appearance and participation in a state function in six years, since her imprisonment in February 2018. The last time she attended the Armed Forces Day reception was in 2012. Khaleda also made her first appearance at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja in 12 years on Thursday. The last time she attended the Armed Forces Day reception was in 2012. Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Armed Forces Division of the Chief Adviser’s Office invited Khaleda, also a three-time former Prime Minister, to attend the reception at Senakunja. Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lieutenant General ASM Kamrul Ahsan handed over the invitation letter to Khaleda. Twenty-six other BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders, have also been invited to attend the reception. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has presented as the chief guest at the reception at Senakunja. Armed Forces Day was celebrated today (Thursday) with various programmes amid festivity and enthusiasm, commemorating the establishment of the army, navy, and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made her first appearance at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja in 12 years on Thursday. This marks her first public appearance and participation in a state function in six years, since her imprisonment in February 2018. The last time she attended the Armed Forces Day reception was in 2012. Khaleda Zia, the 79-year-old former Prime Minister, accompanied by the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, left her Gulshan residence around 3:30pm and arrived at the reception venue around 3:45pm. Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Armed Forces Division of the Chief Adviser’s Office invited Khaleda, also a three-time former Prime Minister, to attend the reception at Senakunja. Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lieutenant General ASM Kamrul Ahsan handed over the invitation letter to Khaleda. Twenty-six other BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders, have also been invited to attend the reception. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has presented as the chief guest at the reception at Senakunja. Armed Forces Day is being celebrated today (Thursday) with various programmes amid festivity and enthusiasm, commemorating the establishment of the army, navy, and air force during the 1971 Liberation War. Read: Armed Forces Day: Chief Adviser Yunus pays tribute at Shikha Anirban Khaleda Zia has been grappling with a range of serious health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart, lung, kidney and eye problems. She has undergone multiple treatments at Evercare Hospital in the capital since her conditional release, under the supervision of a medical board led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. The BNP has made all necessary arrangements to send her abroad for specialised treatment at an advanced medical center. Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after being sentenced to five years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court increased her sentence to 10 years. She was later convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily released her on March 25, 2020, suspending her sentence for 776 days with conditions to remain at her Gulshan residence and not leave the country Read more: President Shahabuddin remembers Liberation War martyrs on Armed Forces Day On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely as President Mohammed Shahabuddin exempted her from her punishment, exercising his powers under Article 49 of the Constitution.

The Appellate Division on Monday stayed the High Court verdict that had sentenced BNP chairperson Khaldeda Zia to 10-year jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. A three-member Appellate Division bench led by Senior Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam passed the order after hearing Khaleda’s leave to appeal petition against the High Court verdict. The court also allowed Khaleda to move a leave-to appeal before the court challenging the HC verdict. Senior lawyers Joynul Abedin and Barrister Kaisar Kamal stood for Khaleda Zia while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the state and lawyer Asif Hasan stood for the Anti-Corruption Commission. Lawyer Joynul Abedin said the court granted the leave to appeal petition and suspended the sentence. “Now after filing the appeal, the appeal will be heard. Until then, the sentence will remain suspended. Earlier on November 4, the court set November 10 for hearing on her leave to appeal pleas. After hearing, the court fixed November 11 for passing an order. Khaleda, also a former prime minister, filed the leave to appeal petitions with the Appellate Division on March 14, 2019 through his lawyer challenging the HC verdict. Read: High Court scraps 11 cases against Khaleda Zia Khaleda Zia was initially imprisoned on 8 February 2018, when a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft incident. Later, in response to an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the High Court on  October 30 of the same year, raised her jail term to 10 years. The graft case The Zia Orphanage Trust graft case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission in July 2008, accusing Khaleda of misappropriating over Tk2.10 crore that was received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank. In August 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing four people, including Khaleda, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources and abusing power. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order by suspending her sentence on 25 March 2020, with the condition that she would stay at her Gulshan house and not leave the country. Read more: Khaleda Zia, two others acquitted in Gatco corruption case Since then, her release term was extended every six months following the family's pleas. On August 6 this year, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The president passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6.

BNP brought out a massive colourful rally in the capital today (Friday), marking ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. Tens of thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, wearing colourful caps, assembled at Nayapaltan since noon, prepared to participate in a large-scale showdown. Streets and alleys from Kakrail Mosque to Fakirerpool and adjoining areas were packed with BNP supporters, causing traffic disruption in the areas. After a brief address, party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the rally around 3:32pm. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also spoke at the gathering. It will proceed towards Manik Mia Avenue, passing through Kakrail intersection, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, the Engineering Institute, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate. The event will conclude with a virtual address by the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, at Manik Mia Avenue. Carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders, BNP activists are chanting slogans demanding elections and the withdrawal of cases against senior party leaders, including Tarique Rahman. BNP observed ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday, commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising’ of 7 November 1975. BNP ready for a massive showdown in Dhaka On November 7, 1975, amid political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from confinement in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for his ascent to power.

Thousands of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies gathered in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Friday to bring out a massive rally, marking ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. Since noon, BNP leaders and activists assembled at Nayapaltan, prepared to participate in a large-scale showdown. Carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they chanted slogans demanding elections and the withdrawal of cases against senior party leaders, including Tarique Rahman. Streets and alleys from Bijoynagar to Fakirerpool were packed with BNP supporters, causing traffic disruption in the area. BNP to take out rally in city on Friday marking Nov 7 The rally is set to start at 3 pm from the BNP’s central office. It will proceed towards Manik Mia Avenue, passing through Kakrail intersection, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, the Engineering Institute, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will briefly address the crowd before the rally begins. The event will conclude with a virtual address by the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain stated, “This will be a massive rally that will make history. The martyrs of August 5 will be remembered in the rally,” he added. The BNP observed ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday, commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising’ of 7 November 1975. On November 7 1975, amid political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from confinement in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for his ascent to power.

The High Court has scrapped 11 cases including one for sedition and 10 for acts of sabotage against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. A High Court bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain passed the order on Thursday after the final hearing on 11 separate petitions filed by Khaleda. Advocate Zainul Abedin, Barrister MA Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Barrister Kaisar Kamal, Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury and five others stood for Kahleda. Among the cases, one was filed on charge of sedition, seven were filed at Darus Salam police station and three at Jatrabari police station on charge of sabotage during the anti-government movement in 2015. BNP joins legal battle with others against 15th Amendment The trial proceedings of the cases remained suspended for long following a High Court order. The sedition case was filed against Khaleda for her remarks about the number of martyrs in the Liberation War. The BNP chief had been on bail in all these cases. Advocate Zainul Abedin told reporters that there was no evidence that Khaleda Zia was present on the spot or gave any order in any of the cases filed on charges of sabotage. Police submitted charge sheets in the cases unnecessarily, he said. Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years. Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. AL can’t stage a comeback in Bangladesh politics: BNP Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be taken to London first and then to a third country for advanced treatment very soon. “Considering her health condition, we have started preparations to transfer her to a multidisciplinary hospital abroad as quickly as possible,” her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, said on Tuesday. Khaleda Zia, two others acquitted in Gatco corruption case “As part of the process, we are securing a ‘long-distance specialised air ambulance’ and establishing necessary communications. She (Khaleda) will initially be flown to London, where, after a brief stopover, she will be taken to the country where there are multidisciplinary medical facilities. We hope to complete all the formalities soon so that Madam can travel abroad promptly.” Zahid added that Khaleda Zia’s office has already informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding her treatment abroad, including details of the doctors, nurses and relatives who will accompany her. Khaleda’s scheduled hospital visit for check-up postponed Khaleda, also a former prime minister, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart and eyes. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia's stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver. Khaleda's doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021. Khaleda Zia was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years. Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, along with Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, in the long-standing Gatco corruption case. Judge Abu Taher of Dhaka Special Judges’ Court-3 gave the order following a hearing on Thursday. Former OC Rafiqul remanded in case over blocking Khaleda Zia's residence with sand trucks The Gatco corruption case has been a point of contention for over a decade, with the original complaint filed at the Tejgaon Police Station on September 2, 2007. Initially, 24 individuals, including influential figures from the previous four-party alliance government, were named in the charge sheet submitted by the ACC in 2008. As the case progressed, several accused passed away, including former ministers Saifur Rahman and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, among others.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Evercare Hospital in Dhaka this (Monday) evening for a health check-up. "Madam [Khaleda] will be taken to Evercare Hospital in the evening for health check-ups as per the advice of her medical board," BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB. He said Khaleda will undergo some necessary medical tests at the hospital. On July 8, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital six days after she had been discharged from the same hospital with various ailments. A group of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully installed the pacemaker in Khaleda Zia’s chest on June 23. Khaleda has long been battling various ailments, including livercirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and issues related to kidneys, lung, heart and eyes. Khaleda donates Tk 2 lakh for flood victims The BNP chief’s doctors have long been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with livercirrhosis in November 2021. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia's stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver. She was placed in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years. Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Khaleda returns home from hospital Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The President passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6. Article 49 states that "The President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites and to remit, suspend, or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal, or other authority."

An unidentified individual attempted to enter the cabin of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital on Saturday (December 23, 2023) evening. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep concern over this incident. “The intrusion attempt by an unknown youth into the cabin of our ailing chairperson, a respected three-time former Prime Minister, is not only worrying but raises serious questions about the security measures in place,” Rizvi stated. Read: BNP to form human chains on Dec 10 in protest against injustice: Rizvi  The BNP leader highlighted the gravity of the situation, given Khaleda Zia’s high-profile status and her current health struggles. People are astonished at how the security of such a prominent figure, particularly in her vulnerable state, could be compromised in a reputedly safe environment like Evercare Hospital, he added. Rizvi further questioned the implications of this incident, suggesting a potential deeper conspiracy. “The mysterious nature of this attempted breach has sparked widespread concern and speculation among the people. It is imperative to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a more sinister plot.” The incident has led to calls for heightened security for the 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized since August 9 for multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and heart complications. Recently, she underwent a specialized hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), performed by a team of US specialists from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Read: EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi  Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, Khaleda Zia has been under medical supervision. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government extended her release, mandating her stay in her Gulshan residence and prohibiting international travel.