Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia gave posthumous award to Bangabandhu's killer: Joy
Khaleda Zia returned the job of Bangabandhu's killer and sent him to posthumous retirement, wrote Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy on his verified Facebook page.
Aziz Pasha, one of the convicted murderers of Bangabandhu and his family, was reinstated to his job in 2001 after BNP-Jamaat came to power and Khaleda Zia became the Prime Minister. Then was sent to posthumous retirement and Khaleda Zia even declared him as a 'posthumous retired officer' and gave his family all the financial benefits, Joy said at his post
READ: Joy vows to build Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla together
Joy wrote in his post that Khaleda Zia gave posthumous award to the murderer Aziz Pasha.
After the assassination of Bangabandhu, Ziaur Rahman first gave him a job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a gift to the murderer Aziz Pasha. Aziz Pasha served as a diplomat in Argentina, Kenya and Italy. Then in 1991 after the formation of Khaleda Zia's government he was Khaleda's most trusted official as Deputy High Commissioner in Zimbabwe.
READ: Khaleda freed assassins of Bangabandhu, 4 leaders and made them ambassadors: Joy
However, after the formation of the Awami government in 1996, Aziz Pasha was ousted and asked to return to the country. But he never returned. He took cover in Zimbabwe and in 2001 died due to a physical illness, Joy further wrote in his post.
Let Khaleda go abroad by Saturday or face movement: Pro-BNP lawyers
Pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday threatened to go for a movement if the government does not let Khaleda Zia go abroad for medical treatment by Saturday next.
"We’re giving the government four days--Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (to meet our demand). Or else, we lawyers will go on a hunger-strike across the country on Sunday,” said advocate Fazlur Rahman, member secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF).
Speaking at a rally, he also warned that they will gradually intensify the movement to force the government to accept their demand.
Read:Govt looking into legal options to let Khaleda go abroad: Law Minister
“Time will come when the people of the country will hit the streets with processions, and the streets will see the heat of the fire. And that day is not far away. Let's start a movement to take Khaleda Zia abroad,” Rahman said.
BJAF arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding Khaleda’s medical care abroad.
Fazlur Rahman urged Law Minister Anisul Huq to find out a legal option to send Khaleda out of the country for treatment. “The law is not bigger than human life.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government can allow the BNP chief to go abroad for treatment under section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). “The usurper government, not the law, is an obstacle here.”
Govt looking into legal options to let Khaleda go abroad: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment.
“I think the decision on it (application of Khaleda’s family) should come after considering overall aspects and assessing whether there any legal scope,” he said.
Read:Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister
Talking to reporters after attending an event at the Judicial Administration Training Institute in the capital, the minister said they are also careful so that the law is not violated in this regard.
“As there haven many applications, including from lawyers, I think it is appropriate to come to a well-thought-out decision after examining all aspects and whether any scope to do something in any way,” he added.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
The BNP chief’s medical board members on November 28 said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 seeking permission to take her abroad for treatment.
Though the government earlier twice turned down such applications, it is taking time to dispose of the fresh plea of the BNP chief’s family.
On November 28, the Law Minister told parliament that Khaleda is now free as she is not in government custody.
Read:Pro-BNP lawyers’ memo over Khaleda’s treatment to be examined: Law Minister
He also said as Khaleda was temporarily released under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure based on some conditions, including not leaving the country, there is no provision in the law to allow her to go abroad now until she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
BNP leaders and pro-BNP lawyers, however, have long been arguing that the government has the unlimited authority to take any decision in this regard under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures.
The party has also been observing various programmes since November 25 demanding that the BNP chief be allowed to go abroad as there is no advanced cnetre in Bangladesh to treat her liver cirrhosis problem.
Millions to hit streets if Khaleda not sent abroad, warns BNP
BNP on Sunday warned that millions of people will take to the streets if Khaleda Zia is not allowed to go abroad for advanced treatment.
”Crores of people will take to the streets if you don’t free our leader Khaleda Zia and restore democracy. Take steps to send her (Khaleda) abroad without any delay in your own interest,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a rally, he alleged that the government is “conspiring” to put Bangladesh’s existence at stake with its efforts to kill Khaleda without treatment.
“Free our leader so that she can go abroad for treatment and return home after recovery. Or else, you won’t even find the escape route and you must stand in people’s court.”
Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Also read: BNP to launch oust-govt movement seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia was kept for over two years in a damp, abandoned and shabby building of the Old Dhaka Central Jail that caused her serious illness. “This illness has reached such a level that doctors at Evercare Hospital and other physicians are saying it will be difficult to save her life if she's not taken to any advanced medical centre for treatment.”
Students’ red card
Fakhrul said students took to the streets against the government’s failure to prevent road chaos. “I saw in the newspaper, they (students) showed a red card to the government. What’s the reason for the boys to take to the streets? It’s because you did not keep your word!”
He said the government had assured the students of maintaining discipline on the road when they waged the road safety movement. “You can't manage roads properly. This is your failure.”
The BNP leader said people are extremely angry with the government as it has no control over anything while people’s lives have no value.
AL scared of BNP’s ghost
Fakhrul said his ruling party counterpart Obaidul Quader never sees anything but the ghost of BNP. “He always talks about BNP. He experiences bad dreams over BNP.”
The BNP leader said though Obaidul Quader does not see the existence of BNP, he always makes various comments on BNP out of fear of the party.
He called upon the leaders and activists of Sramik Dal to become more active and motivate their fellow workers to be vocal to establish their rights.
Also read: Govt has to take responsibility if Khaleda faces bad fate: BNP
Changing election system
Fakhrul said many people died in violence centring the recent Union Parishad polls as the government has destroyed the election system.
He said people do not go to polling stations to cast their votes for lack of a fair and credible election.
“The current election system must be changed. Removing the current Election Commission is not enough as the government will also have to be removed. A polls-time neutral government must be formed to hold the next election under an impartial election commission for establishing a government with people’s votes,” the BNP leader said.
Though the government talks about development, Fakhrul said there is no improvement in the condition of common people, “Rather the number of poor has become six crores from two crores. “That’s why we, the country’s people, want a change in power. This government must be removed.“
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
The BNP chief’s medical board members on November 28 said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
Govt is a barrier to Khaleda’s treatment abroad, not law: Fakhrul
BNP on Wednesday alleged that the Awami League government, not the law, is a barrier to sending its chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment.
“We all know Khaleda Zia is seriously ill. She’s now fighting for life in a hospital. Why doesn't the government let her go abroad? They talk about the law!” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a protest rally.
As per the law, he said, the government can send the BNP chief abroad anytime if it wants. “The barrier is not the law, but the current illegitimate government.”
Read:Govt has to take responsibility if Khaleda faces bad fate: BNP
The BNP leader said the government wants to stun Khaleda, gag her voice and remove her from politics as she is a pro-democratic leader.
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office demanding the BNP chairperson’s treatment abroad.
As part of their prescheduled programme, around two hundred leaders and activists of Mohila Dal gathered in front of BNP’s central office to take out a ‘silent procession’ at 10am amid huge presence of law enforcers.
As law enforcers did not allow them to bring out the procession, Mohila Dal staged a demonstration and a brief rally there.
Khaleda’s condition now better though rebleeds: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, rebled on Monday.
Fakhrul, however, said her condition is now better than it was last night as doctors tackled the danger.
“Dr Zahid (Khaleda’s physician) phoned me last night (Monday night) and requested me to be at the hospital immediately…I went to Evercare Hospital around 12am and saw that the 10 doctors involved in Madam's treatment were very worried. I also got sacred,” the BNP leader told a rally.
Fakhrul said he wanted to know from the doctors what actually happened to the BNP chief. “They replied Madam suffered what we had feared (Khaleda rebled. By the grace of Allah, the doctors could overcome the crisis as they did it thrice earlier through their tireless efforts.”
Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
As part of its countrywide programme, BNP arranged the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office, demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Fakhrul said Dr Zahid informed him this (Tuesday) morning that the BNP chief is now better than before. “But the doctors think the sign is not good at all. Because, they’ve clearly said there’s no treatment now here (Bangladesh) for the diseases she has been suffering from.”
He said doctors told them that the BNP chief must be sent abroad without further delay for her proper treatment.
Stating that Khaleda Zia has been fighting for life, the BNP leader bemoaned that a minister of the government said what the doctors narrated about Khaleda’s health condition at a press conference was taught by the BNP.
Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies joined the rally.
Similar rallies were held in eight other divisional cities to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment.
Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
They also said Khaleda bled thrice and the third time bleeding was severe, impairing her liver function.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Partisan doctors politicising Khaleda’s health, treatment: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said partisan physicians are also politicising the issue of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health and treatment abroad.Talking to journalists at the Secretariat Hasan said pro-BNP doctors are saying things as tutored by the party leaders.He said the opposition party has been doing politics over Khaleda’s health condition and on its demand to send her abroad for better treatment.
READ: BNP fails to appreciate PM’s generosity to Khaleda: Info Minister
At a press briefing on Sunday Dr FM Siddique, a member of Khaleda’s medical board, said that she has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. The treatment for her condition is available in Germany, the UK and the US, he said.The BNP chief's other physicians said she has been suffering from liver, kidney and heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.Hasan questioned the doctors’ choice of only three countries for Khelada’s treatment.Replying to a question he said “On Sunday I saw Professor Farhad Dalim Donar, executive director of Ziaur Rahman Foundation giving a statement on Khaleda’s health condition in the television. There was another statement signed by Fakhruzzaman, office secretary of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) along with some other doctors. All of these physicians are involved with BNP politics as well as being top leaders of DAB.”According to their statements, there are treatments available for Khaleda Zia’s health issues only in the UK, Germany and the USA but not in India, Singapore and Bangkok, said Hasan.Meanwhile many people from the US and European countries now go to Singapore and Bangkok for their treatments, he said.“It is clear from the physicians’ statements yesterday (Sunday) that they were politically tutored as they mentioned only to the country’s where Tareque Rahman is or the countries that are near to him,” said the information minister.Now BNP has spread their “politics on Khaleda;s treatment” to the doctors too.Regarding BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s threat of creating disorder unless Khaleda is sent abroad for treatment, Hasan said “If he said so, a criminal case can be filed against him.”“He himself confessed to planning to create disorder which is a criminal offense”, he said.Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
READ: Act right now to fund climate change adaptation: Info Minister urges developed nations
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the home ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Journalists want apex court to pave way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad
A group of pro-BNP journalists on Monday called upon the country’s apex court to grant bail to ‘critically’ ill BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at its own initiative paving the way for her advanced medical care abroad.
They made the call while addressing a human-chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
Pro-BNP factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of journalists (DUJ) arranged the programme demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Speaking at the programme, former BFUJ president Shawkat Mahmud alleged that Khaleda has been pushed towards death by keeping her in jail after convicting her in ‘false’ cases.
Also read: Khaleda can fly in any foreign doctor for treatment: FM
“She was not given proper treatment there (in jail). We think she fell sick because of political vengeance. She’s now in between life and death. So, we urge the judges of the High Court to grant bail to Khaleda Zia on their own initiative,” he said.
Shawkat said the apex court has the authority to give bail to Khaleda as it did the same thing in the past regarding some ministers.
He also called upon the journalists to raise their voice to mount pressure on the government to allow the BNP chief to go abroad. “If necessary, we’ll take to the streets to realise the demand.”
Jatiya Press Club Vice-President Poet Hasan Hafiz said it is unfortunate that a former prime minister is being deprived of receiving advanced medical care overseas.
He also crticised the Awami League leaders for what he said making ‘derogatory' comments about Khaleda’s illness. “Such an attitude of the ruling party in an independent country can’t be accepted. There’s still time for the ruling party to release Khaleda Zia for treatment. I hope good sense will prevail upon them.”
Hasan Hafiz thanked renowned Poet Nirmalendu Goon as he gave a status on Facebook wishing recovery of the BNP chief.
“I appreciate Nirmalendu Goon for his courage. It has reflected that those who have a minimum conscience can’t support the inhuman and brutal attitude (towards Khaleda),” he observed.
DUJ president Kader Gani Chowdhury said it touched the hearts of many people the way Khaleda’s doctors narrated her critical health condition on Sunday.
Recalling Khaleda’s many contributions to the country, he alleged that efforts are on to kill the BNP chief in a planned way.
“Laws are enacted not to annihilate anyone, but to save lives, maintain law and order and protect civilization. On behalf of the journalist community, we would like to urge the court to take initiatives to protect the life of Begum Khaleda Zia,” Gani said.
Also read: Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister
BFUJ President M Abdullah said people have got worried hearing the briefing of doctors on Khaleda’s fragile health condition. We, the journalist community, urge the government to take steps for sending Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November.
Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda urgently needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
Khaleda can fly in any foreign doctor for treatment: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is allowed to fly in any doctor from abroad for her treatment if she wants.
“If they feel that doctors from abroad would be much more helpful for her treatment, of course (it’s) most welcome,” he told reporters after briefing diplomats at state guesthouse Padma on the current issues including Khaleda’s health condition.
The current issues also included UP elections, forthcoming World Peace Conference, Covid-19, Rohingya crisis and recently held COP26.
Dr Momen said whatever the former Prime Minister wants to do, she is free to do and can receive treatment anywhere in the country.
Also read: Khaleda freed assassins of Bangabandhu, 4 leaders and made them ambassadors: Joy
“But if she has to go abroad, then she has to go through the legal process,” said the Foreign Minister, adding that the government wants to uphold the rule of law in the country and it wants Khaleda to follow it, too.
Dr Momen said the government has nothing against Khaleda and the law will take care of her as is a prisoner.
Talking about the UP elections, the Foreign Minister said these have been done in phases and they are very happy that the elections are “inclusive” and the “enthusiasm is very high.”
He, however, said the only bad thing is that in some cases, out of enthusiasm, there are a few fatalities. “We don’t want to see any single fatality in any election. But I don’t know how it can be done.”
The Foreign Minister said they ask all the leaders that they should not incite their people in such a way they have to get involved in any violence. “They should stop violence and they should only cast votes. Voters are really great and they never make mistakes.”
He said this is an enormous election and thousands of people are casting their votes and the government is committed to a free and fair and transparent election. “The government didn’t interfere and intervene. These’re free, fair and transparent elections.”
Also read: Khaleda diagnosed with liver cirrhosis: Medical board
Dr Momen said Bangladesh will host the World Peace Conference on December 4-5 where he expects a wider presence of the international community to promote peace in the world. “Peace is essential.”
On the Covid situation, the Foreign Minister said the pandemic is under control in Bangladesh but they are careful about the new South African variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new coronavirus variant to be "of concern" and named it Omicron.
“In terms of Covid, it’s under control. But we had to stop all the flights from South Africa to Bangladesh to avoid that particular variant,” Dr Momen said.
Talking about the Rohingya crisis and their relocation to Bhasan Char, he said those who have been relocated so far have gone there voluntarily. "We didn't force anybody to go there."
Dr Momen said the ultimate solution is that they must go back to Myanmar.
The government has planned to shift 100,000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps.
Khaleda diagnosed with liver cirrhosis: Medical board
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, her medical board member Dr FM Siddique said on Sunday.
“We’ve already informed Madam’s close relatives that she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and asked them to take steps to send her abroad as soon as possible,” he told a press conference at the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence.
The doctor said Khaleda’s condition is now stable but it can deteriorate anytime in the case of further bleeding from her liver.
“The bleeding has stopped now, but re-bleeding can start anytime. If it happens, her life will be at high risk,” he said.
He said they now feel very helpless over the current condition of Khaleda for lack of technology to treat her.
The physician said Khaleda needs to go to an advanced medical centre abroad urgently for her treatment by applying “TIPS’ technology.
Read: Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister
He also feared that a time may come when it will be difficult or impossible to shift Khaleda abroad.
Dr Siddique said Khaleda already bled thrice and the third time bleeding was severe, impairing her liver function. "In the last 24 hours, there was no bleeding. “There’s a 50 percent possibility of rebleeding in the next week while 70 percent within the next six weeks. This is obvious.”
"We don't have the supportive technology to control or stop it if Madame bleeds again, we're afraid. If she bleeds again, the risk of her death will increase a lot,” the physician said.