United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia may be taken to London for treatment once her health shows slight improvement, said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s adviser Mahdi Amin. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday (November 29), Mahdi said, “From what we have heard, the Zia family is planning to take the uncompromising leader to London for advanced treatment once her condition improves slightly with the prayers and love of the country’s people.” He said Tarique Rahman and his wife have already contacted the London Hospital and the doctors under whose care she stayed for four months earlier this year and showed significant improvement. Council of Advisers pray for Khaleda’s speedy recovery “Arrangements are also being made to organise a specially equipped, state-of-the-art air ambulance for that purpose,” Mahadi said. He expressed confidence that Khaleda will recover soon, and after receiving advanced treatment, she will once again inspire the people of her homeland, lead as a guardian of the nation, and unite everyone, as she has always done. “The hopes, prayers and emotions of the people today are centred on this strong belief.” Mahadi said although Khaleda Zia is currently admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, her treatment is being supervised by a combined team of local and foreign specialists.” Mirza Abbas alleges ‘slow poisoning’ of Khaleda during imprisonment He said Tarique Rahman, his wife, and Khaleda Zia’s personal physician Dr Zubaida Rahman have been maintaining constant communication with the medical team from London and providing necessary guidance. Mahdi said Dr Zubaida Rahman has been coordinating between doctors at home and abroad. “Tarique Rahman is monitoring every step with utmost importance to ensure that there is no delay or limitation in his mother’s treatment.” He said large numbers of BNP leaders and activists gather at the hospital every day to know her condition, but no one is being allowed inside the CCU due to infection risks. “People are expressing their love and concern from a distance.” 'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda The nearly 80-year-old three-time former Prime Minister, suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November with a lung infection and cardiac complications. She is currently receiving continuous intensive care under a medical board comprising both local and foreign specialists.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital for treatment of lung and heart infections, with the party urging the country’s people to pray for her speedy recovery. “The Chairperson is being treated in the CCU under close observation by the medical board, which includes specialist doctors from both home and abroad,” said a party insider on Thursday, wishing anonymity. When contacted, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB that BNP has urged the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Sunday night after developing a chest infection affecting both her heart and lungs. Since her admission, she has been receiving treatment in a cabin of the hospital. Meanwhile, BNP will organise special prayers and munajat across the country after Jumu’a prayers on Friday, seeking divine blessings for Khaleda’s quick recovery, said Sayrul. Khaleda urges all to pray for her amid health concerns  A prayer and munajat will also be held at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after Jumu’a prayers. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders will attend the programme. Khaleda Zia, 80, has been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart problems, liver and kidney issues, diabetes, lung problems, arthritis, and eye-related illnesses. She also has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting for her heart. Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital with chest infection Since returning from London on 6 May after receiving advanced medical care, Khaleda Zia has been undergoing regular health check-ups at Evercare Hospital. Her family members, including Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman, have been in close contact with the doctors to stay informed about her condition.  

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Sunday night (November 23) as she developed infections in her chest, affecting both her heart and lungs, said her medical board. Talking to reporters, Professor Dr F M Siddiqui, a member of the medical board formed for her treatment, said Khaleda was brought to the hospital as several of her health problems appeared at the same time. “She has a chest infection. As a result, her heart and lungs have been affected at a time. Because of this, she was facing some respiratory distress. That is why we brought her here quickly,” Dr Siddiqui said. He said Khaleda has long been suffering from heart problems, including a permanent pacemaker and earlier stenting. “As her chest infection affected the heart and lungs at the same time, we carried out urgent tests. Based on the reports received so far, she has been placed on antibiotics as advised by the medical board,” he said. Dr Siddiqui said more test results are expected within the next 12 hours and Khaleda is now under close and intensive monitoring. “She is currently in a cabin but remains under intensive observation.” BNP Standing Committee member and Khaleda’s personal physician Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said it is not possible to say yet how long the BNP chief will need to stay in hospital. “The duration of her stay will depend entirely on her physical condition,” he said. Read more: Khaleda meets Prof Yunus at Armed Forces Day reception The BNP Chairperson was admitted to Evercare Hospital around 8:15pm. Khaleda, 80, has long been suffering from multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, heart issues, arthritis, diabetes, lung problems and eye-related illnesses. She has been receiving treatment at her Gulshan residence under a combined medical team involving her personal doctors and specialists from Evercare Hospital. She was last taken to Evercare Hospital on 15 October for day-long medical examinations. Read more: Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital for health check-up

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday voiced deep concern over the rise of what he described as dangerous forces in the country, saying they pose a serious threat to democracy, religious freedom and cultural diversity. “What we are witnessing now is the rise of forces that are dangerous to democracy, dangerous to democratic values, and a threat to the religious faith of our people,” he said while speaking at a discussion and doa mahfil. The Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh organised the programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, praying for ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and marking the 18th anniversary of party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s release from jail. Rizvi said many of those involved in the July-August mass uprising are now trying to impose a new form of cultural dominance, while BNP upholds a political and cultural tradition rooted in the soil of this country. He said Jamaat-e-Islami wants to preach Islam, even though Islam has long been established in the country. Rizvi alleged that Jamaat is in fact trying to spread Maududi’s ideology in the name of Islam and by exploiting religious sentiments. The BNP leader said Bangladesh’s cultural identity is one where people offer prayers five times a day but also watch TV dramas and listen to music. “This is our cultural reality. But when you try to make everything one-sided, fascism emerges, and the worst form of fascism is religious extremism and the spread of radical politics.” Reject cruelty, embrace humanity: Tarique Rahman He also raised questions the fairness of the recent student union elections to Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University students unions, suggesting there might be a secret plan to wipe out nationalist forces. “Is a ‘deep blueprint’ being drawn up by the state and university authorities to eliminate pro-BNP student organisations? This has now become a matter of public concern.” Rizvi alleged that ballot papers for the DUCSU and JUCSU elections were printed at a privately-owned press rather than a government press. “The owner of that press is known to have close ties with a particular political party. Isn’t this an irregularity and a breach of fair practices?” He noted that even teachers at Jahangirnagar University resigned from their duties after witnessing such irregularities. Rizvi further criticised the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University for introducing a new code of conduct that reportedly bars former students from entering the campus. “But a university is not an isolated place. Former students remain emotionally connected to it for life.”

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has sent seasonal fruits from Bangladesh as gifts to the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar. On behalf of the BNP chief, her adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury handed over the fruits – Lengra and Amrapali mangoes and litchis – on Wednesday to Ibrahim Fakhro, Director of Protocol at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking to UNB, Dr Enamul, who is now in Qatar, said Khaleda sent the fruits as gifts for Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. “These are simply gift items, and I personally handed them over to the concerned official,” he said. Dr Enamul said Khaleda wished for the continued progress and prosperity of Qatar and prayed for the good health of the Emir and Prime Minister. He also said the BNP chief gratefully remembered the royal air ambulance sent by the Emir earlier this year for her travel to and from London for advanced treatment. Fakhrul-led BNP delegation off to China on five-day tour Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Qatar Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Deputy Head of Mission Waliur Rahman, and General Secretary of Qatar BNP Shariful Haque Saju were present during the handover of the gift. BNP Organising Secretary Shariful Alam sent the gift packages to Qatar on June 23. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a royal air ambulance sent by the Emir for advanced medical treatment. After four months of treatment, she returned to Bangladesh on May 6 in the same air ambulance.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent health checkups at Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday night. She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 7:47pm and stayed there for nearly four and a half hours, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP chairperson underwent several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board. Later, the BNP chief left the hospital and reached her residence around 12:08am, he said. Khaleda's personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, said the medical board formed earlier, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, advised her to go for the health checkup at the hospital. "She underwent various necessary medical tests at the hospital,” he said. Zahid said the medical board will decide the next course of her treatment. Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-up The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from multiple health complications for several years. She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board consisting of specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors since she returns home from London on May 6 after undergoing four months of advanced treatment. During her stay in London, she received advanced medical care under the supervision of liver specialist Professor Patrick Kennedy. Her travel to London and return home were arranged with the support of a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Before departing for London, the BNP Chairperson last visited Evercare Hospital on September 12 for a health check-up.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday evening for a health check-up. She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence at around 7:47pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP Chairperson will undergo several tests at the hospital as per her medical board’s advice. “After the tests are done, the board will decide on the next course of action,” he said. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from multiple health complications for several years. She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board consisting of specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors. Khaleda to visit Evercare Hospital this evening for health check-up Khaleda Zia returned to Dhaka on May 6 after undergoing four months of treatment in London. During her stay in London, she received advanced medical care under the supervision of liver specialist Professor Patrick Kennedy. Her travel to London and return home were arranged with the support of a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Before departing for London, the BNP Chairperson last visited Evercare Hospital on September 12 for a health check-up.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday urged people, including BNP leaders and activists, to come forward with a vow to restore democracy in Bangladesh. "Very soon, we will see Bangladesh reestablished with democracy. This should be our pledge on the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Zia. In this sense, I call upon BNP’s all-level leaders and activists as well as the people of the country to move forward in a disciplined manner,” he said addressing a discussion in the city through a virtual platform. BNP arranged the discussion at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium, marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and President Ziaur Rahman. Khaleda Zia said Ziaur Rahman embraced martyrdom in the struggle for the establishment of democracy and protection of national sovereignty. “Even today, the uninterrupted journey of that democracy faces obstacles at every step,” she said. No bar for Khaleda Zia to participate in next election: Attorney General The BNP chairperson emphasised that the politics envisioned by Shaheed Zia – to solve all problems through ensuring democracy and development– must be implemented in order to pay a true tribute to him. BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke as the chief discussant at the function presided over by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Both the BNP leaders joined the discussion virtually. Thousands line the Dhaka streets to welcome Khaleda Zia  Besides, BNP standing committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, noted educationalist Prof Mahbub Ullah and Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, among others, spoke at the function moderated by BNP publicity secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday vehemently rejected a speculation that their party is trying to rehabilitate Awami League, saying BNP would not compromise with AL under any circumstances. “Will anyone make a compromise with the Awami League while we are alive? We are not going to do it… and if anyone else tries, we’ll resist them too. There is no point in doing such an absurd thing (rubbish campaign),” he said while addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club. The 12-party alliance arranged the discussion titled ‘Resist the conspiracy to disrupt election and remove barriers to the return of Tarique Rahman’. Nazrul said some are trying to carry out propaganda that BNP wants to rehabilitate Awami League. “Just think once that this is the party (AL) whose government is responsible for the most disappearances and killings of BNP leaders and activists,” he said. He said the AL government kept BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia behind bars for six years on a false charge, blocked Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to the country, crippled him, and his brother died in Malaysia without treatment.  BNP to set up ward-wise playgrounds in Dhaka if voted to power: Tarique “Is there a single BNP leader, including our secretary general, who doesn’t face at least 50 cases?” he added. Nazrul questioned the delay in holding parliamentary elections by December when the reform charter is set to be finalised within the next one and a half months. Citing that Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz said the initial round of dialogue is almost complete and they will move to the second phase this month, the BNP leader questioned how long it would take to prepare a charter by enlisting the points of consensus. “It would take a maximum of one to one and half a month (to prepare the July Charter). Not more than that,” he said. Nazrul Islam said the reforms that are possible to be executed through ordinances could be done quickly and the rest of the reform recommendations could be left for the next parliament. “So, what is your (interim government) barrier to holding the election by December?” he asked. He reiterated BNP’s stance on electoral reform, saying, “We would like to say clearly that we definitely want the reforms that are essential and possible as well as all the reforms without which a fair, free and impartial election is not possible." Nazrul Islam said they also want the power of the people to be returned to the hands of the people as soon as possible so that a government elected by the people is established, which would be responsible and accountable to the people.  Mirza Abbas, Afroza off to Singapore for treatment Presided over by 12-party alliance coordinator and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, the discussion was addressed, among others, by LDP’s Shahadat Hossain Selim, Jatiya Dal’s Syed Ehsanul Huda and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Mufti Mohiuddin Ekram.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed visited BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence on Sunday evening. Talking to reporters after the meeting at around 8:30pm in front of the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Oli Ahmed said, “I have a family relationship with her. From that perspective, I came to meet her. I enquired about her well-being.” Stating that Khaleda returned home after receiving advanced treatment for four months in London, the LDP chief said he also enquired about her current health condition. Mirza Abbas, Afroza off to Singapore for treatment “By the grace of Allah, she is doing well. I pray that Allah grants her continued good health,” he said. This marks the first time that the BNP Chairperson has met with a senior political leader outside her party since her return from London on May 6.