BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged their party leaders and activists to intensify their current movement as the government is not willing to allow seriously ill Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment. "Begum Khaleda Zia is seriously ill and doctors have said it’s essential for her to go abroad immediately for the treatment she now needs…the government isn’t willing to allow her to do that (go abroad),” he said. Speaking at a discussion, he also said it is not enough to only make a demand for sending Khaleda abroad for treatment. “We must intensify the movement we’ve started, and turn it into a fierce one by changing its pace to force the government to ensure her treatment abroad.” Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its 41st founding anniversary. He said though Khaleda is fighting for life at the hospital, the government is not paying heed to her doctors’ advice to send her abroad as it fears if she remains alive she will awaken people to fight against injustice and unfairness. “Rather, they (govt) are making discourteous comments.” Also read: Khaleda being deprived of human rights: BNP Fakhrul asked BNP leaders and activists to strengthen their organisational capacity to achieve success in their movement. “If the organisation is not strong, you won’t succeed in any movement.” Stating that farmers are facing various problems, including deprivation of fair prices of their produce, he asked the leaders and activists of Krishak Dal to focus on farmers’ problems and organise them across the country to realise their demands and establish their rights. Fakhrul said Awami League is no longer a political party as it has become a “monster”. “In practice, they don’t run the country. Bureaucrats are now running the country going beyond democratic norms.” About the US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its seven current and former top officials, he said the Awami League government has created such a situation by using state institutions to cement its power, “The USA imposed the sanctions on Rab while the high-ranking officials of the organisation are not allowed to go there. If they have any property there, it will be confiscated. It’s a matter of shame,” the BNP leader said. Fakhrul alleged over 600 people were made disappeared, 1,000 people were killed unlawfully and over 1, 000 people were maimed during the rule of the current government. Also read: BNP reacts to PM’s remark on Khaleda’s treatment; says it’s “unexpected” He said the law enforcers have become desperate as the government used them to protect its power. "In this way, the government has destroyed all the institutions of the country. We are saddened that our former army chief has been banned in America. Neither he nor his family members will be able to enter America.” Fakhrul called upon people of all walks of life to get united to protect the country from the grasp of Awami League and restore democracy.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said it is essential to send their party chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment for the sake of peace and stability in the country. "We’re placing our demand peacefully. We’ve been repeatedly calling upon you (govt) to send her (Khaleda) abroad for treatment. We don’t understand where’s the problem? You’re talking about the law and giving its wrong interpretation,” he said. Speaking at a rally, he also said their chairperson needs treatment abroad as there is no such advanced centre in the country to treat her. “No one, except our leader Khaleda Zia, can bring peace, stability and restore democracy in the country. So, send her abroad for treatment.” Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad. Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP About the BNP chief’s health condition, Fakhrul said she is still critically ill and doctors are working hard to save her life. He said the government is not willing to allow Khaleda to go abroad as it fears she will again raise her voice against corruption, anti-people activities and work for establishing people’s rights returning home after her recovery from illness. The BNP leader claimed that Khaleda was convicted in ‘false’ cases through staging a farce in the name of justice. Fakhrul said there is no legal barrier for the government to send the BNP chief abroad for treatment. “As per section 401 (of the Criminal Code of Procedures) it is only the government which can send her overseas.” He alleged that Law Minister Anisul Huq is confusing people by giving a ‘false’ explanation of section 401. Also read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul 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. The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from liver, kidney and heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications. 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.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must return to jail for submitting a fresh application seeking permission to go abroad for treatment. Talking to UNB, Anisul also said his ministry has already given an opinion for extending further by six months the suspension of Khaleda’s jail sentences following an application submitted by her family to the government. “There’s no scope to reconsider the application seeking permission to send Khaleda Zia abroad under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). She has to go back to jail and then submit a fresh application if she wants to go abroad for treatment,” the minister said. Read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad

The family of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has submitted an application to the government seeking further extension of her conditional release and allowing her to go abroad for receiving advanced treatment. On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother Shamim Iskander recently submitted the application to the Home Ministry, an official at the ministry said on Tuesday. Contacted, Law Minister Anisul Huq told UNB, “As the suspension of Khaleda Zia jail sentences is going to end on September 24, her family has applied for its extension.” In the application, the minister said, the BNP chief’s family claimed that her physical condition has worsened due to post-Covid complications, and they again sought the government permission to send her abroad for treatment. Read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad Upon their application, Anisul said, the Home Ministry sent a file to the Law Ministry a few days back seeking its legal opinion. “We gave our opinion over the matter, and sent the file back to the Home Ministry this (Tuesday) morning,” he said. The minister said the Home Ministry will now send the file to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval. Asked what opinion he gave, Anisul declined to disclose it. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year. Read: Khaleda’s family submits application seeking her release The government extended her release for six more months on August 27 last year and it was extended further for another six months on March 15 last. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10, and she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems. On May 5, her family applied to the government seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.

A group of pro-BNP journalists on Saturday demanded the government take necessary steps to ensure advanced treatment for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad. The demand was made in a statement signed by 1,557 journalists from across the country. Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ) president Kader Gani Chowdhury issued the statement. “Begum Khaleda Zia's physical condition is currently at high risk. Under such a situation, there shouldn’t be any politics over her treatment,” the statement said. As a top politician in the country, a former prime minister, a senior citizen, a woman and as a prisoner, they think Khaleda has the minimum human rights to receive proper and advanced treatment. “It’s our responsibility as a nation to ensure her fundamental rights and justice. So, we sincerely call upon the government to allow Khaleda Zia to receive advanced treatment abroad through freeing her on bail by the court,” the statement added. Also read: BNP seeks govt’s prompt steps to send Khaleda abroad The journalists hoped that the government will show sympathy towards Khaleda rising above politics considering her overall contributions to the country as a patriotic politician and the difficult period of her old age. They said people will take it positively if the government takes steps for removing the barriers towards sending Khaleda abroad for treatment. The signatories to the statement include senior journalists Reaz Uddin Ahmed, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Aman Ullah, Abul Asad, Shawkat Mahmud, Rezwan Siddiqui, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Salahuddin Mohammad Babar, Syed Mejbah Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Hai Sikder, Ershad Majumder, Kamal Uddin Sabuj, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Masumur Rahman Khalili, Aminur Rahman Sarkar, M Abdullah, Nurul Amin Rokon, MA Aziz, Quader Gani Chowdhury, Ilias Khan, Shakhawat Hossain Badshah, Rafiqul Islam Azad, Kazi Rawnak Hossain, Bakhtiar Rana, Nuruddin Ahmed, Mahmuda Chowdhury, Nirmal Chakraborty and Khurshid Alam. On June 19, Khaleda Zia got back home from the capital’s Evercare Hospital after 53 days of treatment for Covid infections and other physical complications. Also read: Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir at a recent press conference said Khaleda has a heart problem and her kidney and liver complications are very critical and she needs treatment at an advanced centre abroad. Her family submitted an application to the government on May 6 seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment, but it was turned down. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday night said Khaleda’s condition now looks better with the improvement of her saturation level. “I’ve seen her from a distance for two minutes. It seems to me her condition is now better,” he told reporters after visiting Khaleda at Evercare Hospital. He said Khaleda now can breathe normally without oxygen support. “Some of her parameters are better and she is now breathing without oxygen. She’s now not facing serious difficulties to go on without oxygen.” Also read: Maintain decency while commenting on Khaleda: Fakhrul to ministers Fakhrul, however, said the BNP chairperson is still not out of danger. “There’s still a tube attached to her as fluids were coming out ofvher lungs. He also said Khaleda’s post-Covid complications are still visible in full swing. “But there’s a sign of improvement  in her condition.” The BNP leader said Khaleda has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital as she was infected with the coronavirus. “But doctors themselves said this treatment is not sufficient for her as she is now under serious health risk in consideration of her age and comorbidities due to her post-Covid complications.” Also read: Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday last. Her breathing problem later eased. On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Also read: Khaleda tests negative for Covid Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.

The government on Sunday turned down the application of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission to send her abroad for advance treatment as there is no scope for her to avail of such a scope, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan. “The Law Ministry has informed us that there’s no legal provision to allow convicted Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment. In the light of such an opinion, the application of her family can’t be granted,” he told reporters at his Secretariat office. The minister said they will soon inform the BNP chief’s family about their decision. He said the Law Ministry made it clear that as Khaleda was earlier given a facility by suspending her sentences under section 401, now there is no scope to waive her sentences after reconsidering the same section for the second time. Also read: Khaleda tests negative for Covid Asaduzzaman said they received the application of Khaleda’s family on humanitarian grounds and sent it to the Law Ministry for its legal opinion. “We’re doing everything as per the law. BNP can apply (for sending Khaleda abroad, but we can't do anything beyond the law.” Talking to UNB, Law Minister Anisul Haq said there is no chance of allowing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment. “I’ve sent my legal opinion in this regard to the Home Ministry.” “Khaleda Zia's sentences have been suspended as per section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), on condition that she can’t go abroad. So, there’s now no scope to grant her family’s application by relaxing this condition,” he explained. He said when a decision has already been made as per section 401 of the CrPC, the function of this section is over regarding her and there is no scope to reopen it. “So, she (Khaleda) can’t be sent abroad.” Also read: Khaleda applies for passport renewal to go aboard: Lawyer BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir may come up with the party’s official reaction to the government decision after visiting Khaleda at Evercare Hospital at night.  Meanwhile, M Asaduzzam, a pro-BNP lawyer, described the law minister’s explanation as per-incuriam. He said Section 401(1) of the CrPC says, "When any person has been sentenced to punishment for an offence, the Government may at any time without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, suspend the execution of his/her sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment to which he/she has been sentenced." The section 401 (4A) says: “The provision of the above sub-sections shall also apply to any order passed by a Criminal Court under any section of this Code or of any other law, which restricts the liberty of any person or impose any liability upon him or his property.” “As per these sections, the government has the scope to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad.. it’s the government’s inherent power,” Asad opined. Also read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul He said the government can allow any person to go abroad even if any court imposes any travel ban on him/her. On Wednesday last, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment. Later, the application was sent to the Law Ministry for its opinion. Law Minister Anisul Haq on Sunday morning sent his ministry’s opinion to the Home Ministry. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday last. Her breathing problem later eased. Also read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.

The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia improved slightly on Saturday, but she still needs the oxygen support as her saturation level still fluctuates due to post-Covid complications, said a member of her personal medical team member. “Madam is still being given the oxygen support, though her overall condition marked a little improvement. Her oxygen level is coming down to 90 percent when there's  no oxygen support,” he said. The physician, wishing anonymity, said though the  amount of fluid in her lungs has decreased, It's still being extracted from her lungs which is now a matter of concern. He said the BNP chief’s blood sugar level is gradually coming under control while pain in her joins has relieved significantly. Also read: Khaleda’s fitness to go abroad to be assessed once permission given: Doctor Replying to a question, the doctor said if the trend of improvement in her condition continues, then Khaleda will be able to fly abroad soon. Meanwhile, a BNP senior leader said they have got a positive signal from the government to send her abroad for advanced treatment. He said all the necessary preparations have been taken to take Khaleda to London or Singapore. The BNP leader claimed the BNP chief might leave the country either on Sunday night or the following day if her condition doesn’t deteriorate again. “She’ll be taken to Singapore instead of London, if her condition worsens." He also said Khaleda’s brother Shamim Iskander and his wife Kaniz Fatema and her domestic help Fatema will accompany the BNP chief during her travel abroad. Also read: Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad soon: Anisul Earlier on Friday, Khaleda’s personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the 10-member medical board formed at Evercare Hospital in the capital for the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will decide whether she has the physical fitness to travel abroad once the government gives her permission to leave the country. On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhamanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment. Law Minister Anisul Haq on Thursday said the opinion of his ministry on allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad will be sent to the Home Ministry soon. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. Also read: Khaleda shifted to CCU with breathing problem: Doctor She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on Monday last.  On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.

The medical board, formed at Evercare Hospital in the capital for the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, will decide whether she has the physical fitness to travel abroad once the government permits her to leave the country. Talking to reporters after visiting the BNP chief at the hospital, her medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also said there is no improvement in Khaleda’s health condition. “Her condition is the same today (Friday) as it was yesterday (Thursday).” As journalists asked whether Khaleda is capable of going abroad with her current physical condition, he said, “This question is still irrelevant as she’s yet to be given permission (to leave the country). If the government allows her to go abroad, then the 10-member medical board will decide it." The physician said Khaleda’s family submitted an application to the government seeking permission to send her abroad while BNP urged the government to consider the application. “It’s now up to the government to decide when and how they’ll allow her to go abroad.” Zahid said Khaleda has been undergoing treatment in the country’s one of the renowned hospitals under the eminent doctors from both home and abroad. Also read: Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad soon: Anisul He said the medical board visited Khaleda before Juma’a prayers and examined her health condition. “They later decided to continue the treatment with the prescription they gave earlier.” Zahid, also a vice-chairman of BNP, said Khaleda has still been kept at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) as her condition did not improve. He urged people to pray for the speedy recovery of the BNP chief. On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment. Law Minister Anisul Haq on Thursday said the opinion of his ministry on allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad will be sent to the Home Ministry soon. Also read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the government to allow their party chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian ground as she has been suffering from post-Covid complications. Amid talks about taking her abroad for advanced treatment, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday applied for the renewal of her Machine Readable Passport (MRP). A party senior leader, wishing anonymity, said the new passport has already been issued and her family received it. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday last. Her breathing problem later eased. Also read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.

Amid talks about taking her abroad for advanced treatment, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday applied for the renewal of her Machine Readable Passport (MRP). "Madam’s (Khaleda’s) passport expired long ago. The form for the renewal of her passport was submitted today (Thursday),” her lawyer advocate Mahbubuddin Khokon told UNB. Khokon hoped that the new passport will be issued urgently. However, a party senior leader, wishing anonymity, said the new passport has already been issued and her family received it. Also read: Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad soon: Anisul He said Khaleda’s passport expired in 2019, but she could not renew it as she was in jail. The BNP leader said the BNP chief’s family and party senior leaders are in touch with the High Commissions and Embassies of different countries, including that of the UK, Singapore, Thailand and the UAE, to have multiple visas as there are restrictions on entry from Bangladesh to different countries due to coronavirus. He said Thailand and the UAE are the available options for her since those countries have no travel restriction, but her family members are eager to send her either to the UK or Singapore. On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhamanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment. Also read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul Law Minister Anisul Haq said the opinion of his ministry on allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad will be sent to the Home Ministry soon. “Her (Khaleda’s) application was brought to me in the evening. Our opinion will be sent to the Home Ministry soon,” he said while talking to reporters on Thursday. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the government to allow their party chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian ground as she has been suffering from post-Covid complications. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. Also read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday. Her breathing problem later eased. On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.