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.

Over 2,500 pro-BNP journalists on Wednesday demanded the government let BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian grounds. “Doctors at Evercare Hospital said she (Khaleda) has reached a condition of life and death. There’s nothing left in the country to treat her,” said a statement issued by 2,582 pro-BNP journalists. They said the BNP chief needs to be taken to an advanced medical centre abroad for treatment to save her life. “We urge the government to give her a scope to receive treatment abroad immediately on humanitarian grounds rising above politics.” The journalists said the statements of the chief of Khaleda’s personal physician team about her health condition are a matter of deep concern. Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul Being a top politician of the country, a former prime minister, a senior citizen, a woman as well as a prisoner, they said getting proper treatment is part of Khaleda’s minimum human rights. “As a nation, it’s our responsibility and duty to ensure her fundamental rights and justice. We, therefore, urge the government to give her an opportunity for advanced treatment abroad by freeing her on permanent bail through the court,” the journalists said. Considering Khaleda’s overall contributions and the difficult period of her old age, they hoped that the government would show sympathetic behavior towards her rising above politics. Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme The journalists also said the country’s people will take it positively if the government takes steps for Khaleda’s treatment abroad. The signatories to the statement include journalists Reazuddin Ahmed, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Amanullah, Abul Asad, Shawkat Mahmud, Rezwan Siddiqui, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Salahuddin Mohammad Babar, Syed Mesbah Uddin, Abdul Hye Sikder, Ershad Majumder, Amanur Rahman Sarke, AL Mujahid, M Abdullah, NurulAmin Rokan, MA Aziz, Kader Gani Chowdhury, Kamaluddin Sabuj, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Masudur Rahman Khalili, Ilias Khan, Mursalin Nomani, Kazi Rawnak Hossain, BadiulAlam, Bakhtiar Rana, and Nuruddin Ahmed.

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.