United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) voiced concern that incidents similar to the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi may recur, warning that the enemies of Bangladesh are once again resorting to targeted killings in an attempt to destabilise the country. “When Bangladesh is seeing a new sun and moving towards a new chapter, and when the people of Bangladesh are dreaming of building a democratic country through a fair election, at that very time its enemies have once again indulged in a killing spree,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur in the morning. He said their party strongly condemned the attack on Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. “We fear that similar incidents may happen again,” Fakhrul said. Read more: What we know about at least one of Hadi's would-be assassins Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Friday, a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital with a bullet injury to his head. Recalling the history of December 14, Fakhrul said when the defeat of the Pakistani occupation forces became inevitable and the Liberation War forces surrounded Dhaka, the occupation army, with the help of their collaborators, abducted and killed the nation’s brightest minds to destroy Bangladesh intellectually. “They picked up university teachers, doctors, researchers, writers, journalists and many others and killed them. It was a planned massacre aimed at making the nation intellectually weak,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation remembers this painful history every year on this day. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile On behalf of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently ill, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he said they came to the memorial to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day. “We have taken an oath that, at any cost, we will protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and move the democratic journey forward,” Fakhrul said. He paid deep respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and democracy, and also remembered BNP founder and proclaimer of independence, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, for his role in bringing fundamental changes to Bangladesh. The BNP leader also remembered the young people who were killed during the mass uprising in 2024. BNP senior leaders and leaders and activists of its Dhaka city units and affiliated organisations were present there. Read more: Roots of Hadi's would-be assassins to be uprooted: Attorney General

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited Evercare Hospital on Saturday afternoon (December 06, 2025) to be by the side of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for the past two weeks. Atiqur Rahman Rumon, a member of the BNP Media Cell, said Zubaida reached the hospital at around 3:38pm after spending some time with her mother at their Dhanmondi residence, Mahbub Bhaban. “She is now in the CCU, staying by Begum Khaleda Zia’s bedside,” Rumon said. He said Zubaida returned to her father’s Dhanmondi home late on Wednesday night, where her mother, Syeda Iqbal Mandu Banu, is also staying. Read more: Zubaida goes to Evercare again at night Zubaida arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning from London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. She went straight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Evercare Hospital to see the BNP chief. Since her arrival, she has attended several meetings with members of Khaleda Zia’s medical board. Although she had been joining earlier meetings virtually, she met the board members in person for the first time on Friday. Rumon said Zubaida has been closely monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition round the clock. “Even when she goes home, she stays in constant touch with the doctors by phone to stay updated about her mother-in-law’s health.” Read more: Air ambulance delay may slightly push back Khaleda Zia’s departure The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Khaleda’s treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Dr Zubaida Rahman — also a member of the medical board — arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her mother-in-law abroad once she is cleared to fly. Read more: Tarique Rahman may return home anytime: Amir Khosru

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition, a senior official at the Chief Adviser’s Office told UNB. Read more: Army, BAF helicopters to conduct trial landing, takeoff near Evercare Hospital Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation. The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman accompanied the Chief Adviser during the visit.

The Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will conduct trial landing and takeoff of helicopters on two open fields near Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday (December 4). The flight landing and takeoff will take place following the security protocol of the Special Security Force (SSF), according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Read more: Govt declares Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ Authorities have requested all to avoid spreading any rumour or confusion regarding the operation. Special Security Force (SSF) protection has been deployed for former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, after she was declared a ‘very very important person’ (VVIP). Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

A specialist physician from the United Kingdom, Dr Richard Beale, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday (December 03) to assist in the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He reached Evercare Hospital around 10:30 am and joined the ongoing medical efforts for the ailing former prime minister. In addition to the UK specialist, another medical team from China is scheduled to arrive today to support her treatment, though their arrival was originally planned for Tuesday (December 02). Read more: Khaleda’s health still fragile, doctors report no improvement Earlier on Monday, a five-member medical team from China had already arrived in Dhaka. According to the medical board overseeing her treatment, the team expected this evening is the main group. On Tuesday, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, briefed reporters about her health condition, urging patience. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi He said the BNP chief is currently able to receive the treatments prescribed by the medical board, and there is hope for her recovery. Dr Hossain added that the medical board will decide whether she needs advanced treatment abroad, with the UK specialist present to assist in that assessment. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple health complications. Her condition worsened on November 27, prompting doctors to transfer her to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), where she remains under intensive treatment. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

The chiefs of Army, Navy and Air on Tuesday night (December 02, 2025) visited ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. According to Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of Naval Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, chief of Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan visited the former prime minister. Read more: Tarique Rahman’s return a personal, family decision: Khosru Several political leaders and others are visiting Khaleda Zia who has been undergoing treatment at the hospital since November 23. Meanwhile, two specialist medical teams from the UK and China are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday morning (December 03, 2025) to support the medical board formed to ensure treatment of the BNP chairperson. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi

The health condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, has not shown any significant improvement, according to her medical board members and senior party leaders. Doctors say the former prime minister is still suffering from pneumonia, which has caused infections in both her heart and lungs. They said they are trying their utmost to bring the infections under control. A member of the medical board, wishing to remain unnamed, said excess fluid has built up in her body, requiring regular dialysis. Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt She is also being given the oxygen support needed to help her breathe more comfortably. Despite her critical condition, he said Khaleda Zia remains responsive, can move her hands and feet slightly, and is able to speak a few words at times. BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon said their party chairperson’s condition is stable, with no marked improvement or deterioration. “I went to the fourth floor of the hospital and spoke to her doctors. They told me it is still not possible to say when her condition might improve, but they remain hopeful. They said they are trying their best, and she may improve — now we just have to wait and see,” he told reporters after meeting the medical team. BNP leaders and family members said if her condition improves, she may again be taken abroad for advanced treatment. Preparations have already begun, though BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday evening that she is still not medically fit to travel. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said the medical board treating Khaleda Zia believes she may need treatment abroad, but her present condition does not allow travel. He said distinguished doctors from Bangladesh, as well as specialist physicians from Johns Hopkins in the United States and the London Clinic in the UK, are overseeing her treatment. The full medical board held a detailed meeting for nearly two and a half hours on Friday night. “They discussed her treatment in depth and shared their views on the next steps. The board said she may need to be taken abroad, but in her current condition it is not possible. She is not fit for overseas travel right now,” Fakhrul said. Once her condition stabilises, he said the medical board will consider whether she can travel abroad. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin Fakhrul also said preparations for possible overseas treatment are already underway. “Visa procedures, communication with countries where treatment may be possible, and other formalities have been discussed. These preparations are progressing so that, if the need arises and she becomes fit to fly, a quick decision can be made,” he said. Khaleda Zia has been under intensive monitoring since she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November with severe infections in her heart and lungs. She was first kept in a cabin but was later moved to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) as her condition worsened. Members of the medical board have been working round the clock, closely observing her vital signs. Another medical board member told UNB that the BNP Chairperson’s condition remains complicated. “She is on dialysis due to excess fluid in her body. The main reason is that her mitral valve has become stiff, preventing the heart from pumping blood properly. Some blood is leaking back through the valve, which raises the risk of right-side heart failure,” he said. He also said a severe infection has put her body under extreme stress, while acute pancreatitis has further worsened her condition. BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said both local and foreign doctors are providing all necessary treatment. “Specialist doctors from abroad are also involved. Whatever treatment she needs is being given,” he said. No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt Mahdi Amin, adviser to BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday that the Zia family is planning to take Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment once her condition improves even slightly. He said Tarique Rahman and his wife have already contacted the London hospital and the specialist doctors under whose care she stayed for four months earlier this year, when she showed significant improvement. “Arrangements are being made to organise a specially equipped, state-of-the-art air ambulance for that purpose,” Mahdi wrote. Khaleda’s former press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan also wrote on Facebook that her condition has not improved noticeably. He said the family is considering taking her to London, Singapore or even China, depending on the medical board’s approval. Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who visited the hospital on Saturday, said preparations are underway to take her to Singapore or Europe, but she is “not in a condition to fly yet”. As large numbers of people have continued gathering around the hospital, Mirza Fakhrul and other senior BNP leaders have urged the public not to crowd the area. They said the overwhelming number of visitors has made hospital staff and doctors uneasy, affecting the treatment of Khaleda Zia as well as other patients. Read more: Khaleda may need treatment abroad, but not fit for travel: Fakhrul Apart from BNP leaders, several other political party leaders also visited Evercare Hospital on Saturday to inquire about her health. Among them were Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, NCP Senior Joint Member-Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, they urged the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery. Hasnat Abdullah blamed the former prime minister’s declining health on inadequate medical care during her imprisonment.  He alleged that she had been denied proper treatment in jail, which led to the gradual deterioration of her condition. He said people across the country, irrespective of political views, were praying for her recovery. Meanwhile, prayers continue nationwide for the former prime minister’s health. Since Friday, people from different walks of life have been posting on social media expressing deep concern and seeking divine blessings for her quick healing. Read more: Khaleda responding to treatment: Dr Zahid