United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who left Dhaka on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar, has reached London to receive advanced treatment at The London Clinic. The special air ambulance landed at Heathrow International Airport at 2:55 pm (Bangladsh time) , BNP Media Cell Member Sayrul Kabir Khan  told UNB. The 79-year-old, three-time former prime minister, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:46pm on Tuesday, heading for London via Doha on the Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance. Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom Hazrat Ali Khan greeted Khaleda Zia with a bouquet. The air ambulance took off 1 hour and 46 minutes late, as Khaleda's convoy moved slowly amidst the huge crowd of BNP leaders and activists lining the streets. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members, saw off Khaleda Zia at the airport. The special air ambulance carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also transported four Royal Qatari doctors and paramedics. Besides, six members of Khaleda Zia's medical board—Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, Professor FM Siddique, Professor Naruddin Ahmed, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, and Dr. Mohammad Al Mamun— were accompanying her on the flight. Khaleda's entourage also included her daughter-in-law, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, advisory council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, executive committee member Tabith Awal, private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with other personal staff and employees. Read: Khaleda finally off to London for treatment  To ensure security during Khaleda’s departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) took special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams. Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021.  

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has long been suffering from several critical health conditions, finally left for London on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar to receive advanced treatment at The London Clinic.  The 79-year-old, three-time former prime minister, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:46pm, heading for London via Doha on the Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The air ambulance took off 1 hour and 46 minutes late, as Khaleda's convoy moved slowly amidst the huge crowd of BNP leaders and activists lining the streets. Khaleda left her Gulshan residence, "Firoza," at 8:15 PM, and her motorcade arrived at the airport at 10:51 PM. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members, saw off Khaleda Zia at the airport. Sources at the UK Chapter of BNP said the former premier is expected to reach Heathrow Airport at 11:30am (London time) on Wednesday, after a one-hour stopover in the Qatari capital, Doha. They also said the authorities at Heathrow Airport will provide her with VIP protocol. Amid tight security from the police and other law enforcement agencies, thousands of leaders and activists escorted Khaleda Zia’s motorcade from her Gulshan residence to the airport. The entire route was filled with various slogans as the crowd waved their hands at every intersection and greeted their beloved leader. After bidding farewell to Khaleda Zia, the BNP Secretary General told reporters that Bangladesh's most popular leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, was jailed in false cases under the fascist Awami League government. During her time in prison, she became seriously ill and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. "We repeatedly requested the fascist Awami League government to allow her to go abroad for treatment, but fascist Hasina did not pay heed to it," Fakhrul said. "By the infinite mercy of Allah, after Hasina fled the country following a student-led mass uprising, our leader had today embarked on a journey to London for treatment, having been freed from all the false cases. We express our gratitude to Allah for this." The BNP leader expressed hope that Khaleda would return to the people of the country after receiving proper treatment. He said the BNP chief had urged the country's people to pray for her. Fakhrul said Khaleda prayed to Allah for the welfare of the country and its people. When asked what message she gave before leaving the country, he said Khaleda asked them to work towards establishing democracy and upholding the democratic system. The special air ambulance carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also transported four Royal Qatari doctors and paramedics. Besides, six members of Khaleda Zia's medical board—Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, Professor FM Siddique, Professor Naruddin Ahmed, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, and Dr. Mohammad Al Mamun— were accompanying her on the flight. Khaleda's entourage also included her daughter-in-law, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, advisory council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, executive committee member Tabith Awal, private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with other personal staff and employees. Meanwhile, thousands of BNP leaders and activists, along with members of its affiliated bodies, gathered along the footpaths from Gulshan-2, Kakoli, and Airport Road to bid farewell to the former Prime Minister. The party leaders and activists, in their thousands, also thronged in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan residence from the afternoon to see her off. To ensure security during Khaleda’s departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) took special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams. Read: Khaleda Zia Admitted to Evercare Hospital Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021. Despite the severity of her condition, she was denied permission to travel for treatment by the Awami League government, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases. However, on August 6, 2024, a day after the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin, paving the way for her overseas treatment. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife, and BNP leaders from the UK chapter will welcome Khaleda upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday. Tarique Rahman and his family have been living in London since 2008. This will be Khaleda’s first reunion with her son Tarique in seven years, and her first overseas visit since she was freed from jail. This will be Khaleda Zia’s second overseas medical trip, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment. On July 15, 2017, the BNP chief went to London and received treatment, spent time with her family members and celebrated Eid-ul-Azha with them during her three month stay there. From the airport, Khaleda will be directly admitted to “The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, from the Heathrow Airport, said her physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. He said the former prime minister will remain under care at The London Clinic, where doctors will assess her health and determine her next course of treatment. A special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, landed on the VIP tarmac at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:40pm on Monday to transport BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London. The Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, designed for long-distance medical evacuations, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, making it a "flying ICU." It includes ventilators, defibrillators, infusion pumps and cardiac monitors, ensuring continuous care during transit. The aircraft features a spacious and customisable interior, with areas for stretchers, patient zones and seating for family or specialists. Onboard, a team of four physicians and paramedics is ready to handle emergencies. Besides, the A319's advanced climate control, soundproofing, and pressurised cabin ensure both patient comfort and safety, while real-time communication with ground experts enables the onboard medical team to provide continuous care. With its enhanced fuel capacity and ability to land on shorter runways, the A319 is perfectly suited for long-haul medical flights. At a press conference on Monday, Dr Zahid said Khaleda has been suffering from various physical complications, including compensated liver cirrhosis (Grade 2), for which she previously underwent the TIPS procedure. “There’re some technical aspects of the TIPS, including the adjustments. We could not check it, and we have not been able to determine if the stenting set up in her heart is functioning properly... there are several blockages in her heart,” he said. The BNP leader also said Khaleda had earlier undergone angioplasty with stenting, but it is also necessary to address her other blockages. Read more: Khaleda gets pacemaker implanted at Evercare

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.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused the government of plotting to end the life of Khaleda Zia by not allowing her to receive advanced treatment abroad. Speaking at a discussion, he said they will come up with more action programmes after observing a mass-hunger strike on Saturday across the country to mount pressure on the government to permit their party chairperson Khaleda  to go any advanced centre outside the country.  “They (govt) are now conspiring to end the life of Begum Khaleda Zia after completely removing her from politics. That's why they don't want to give her a scope to receive treatment abroad,” the BNP leader said. Read:BNP’s mass-hunger strike Saturday seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad A faction of the National People’s Party (NPP), one of the components of the 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its 14th founding anniversary. Fakhrul slammed Law Minister Anisul Huq for his comment that there is no scope to accept the application of Khaleda’s family seeking permission to send her abroad. “It’s a blatant lie.” He said the government has the authority to allow the BNP chief to go abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). “Even, the government can completely remit her sentences if it wants.” BNP’s hunger strike at Nayapaltan As part of their countrywide programme, Fakhrul said they will observe a seven-hour mass-hunger strike in front of their Nayapaltan central office from 9am on Saturday. He said they tried to hold the programme in any other venue, but they did not get permission. Read:No legal scope for Khaleda to go abroad: Law Minister Fakhrul said the programme will be observed in all other metropolitan cities and district towns from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The BNP leader hoped that democratic political parties, including the 20-party alliance partners, will express solidarity with BNP by joining the hunger strike programme. “We urge them to come to our central office. Let's strengthen the movement so that our leader gets the opportunity to get treatment abroad. From there, we will announce more programmes.” He said it is not possible to remove the current ‘monstrous’ government without a united mass movement. Fakhrul urged the political parties to get united to launch a simultaneous movement to ‘restore democracy. “Let’s work together and wage a movement for the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and protect the country and its people from the hand of the current regime. It’s true that the future generations will never forgive us if we fail to do so." 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 rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications. They also said she is now suffering from critical cardiac, kidney problems while her blood sugar is out of control and hemoglobin level in her blood has dropped. On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia needs to go abroad for advanced treatment, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to ensure her release on bail. “Doctors are saying the complete treatment of the diseases she (Khaleda) has been suffering from is not possible here. She needs to go to a multi-disciplinary quality hospital or centre that can treat all the diseases altogether,” he said. Read:Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Khaleda’s doctors have also made it clear that there is no such hospital in Bangladesh that can provide the treatment of her all diseases at once. “She has to go outside the country (for that treatment.” He also asked the government as to why Khaleda Zia is not being granted bail. “Begum Zia does not want mercy from you. You ensure the bail as she deserves it. Everyone has been given bail in such cases. I know no one is left. Then, why aren't you giving her bail? ” Afsar Ahmed Siddiqui Smrity Foundation arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity marking the 20th death anniversary of former BNP leader Afsar Ahmed Siddiqui. Fakhrul said Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the city on Tuesday as she is ill. He said their chairperson’s various health complications turned critical as she had not been given proper treatment during her stay in jail. The BNP leader said Khaleda has been suffering from low fever for a few days. Read:Khaleda's bail extended by one year in 5 cases The BNP leader said as their party chief did not have any medical tests since she was discharged from the same hospital on June 19. “So, she was taken to the hospital as per doctors’ advice for further tests and treatment.” On Tuesday afternoon, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital. A medical board, led by Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, has been providing her treatment for various diseases. On April 27, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentences based on two conditions on March 25 last year. As per the conditions, Khaleda Zia will not be allowed to go abroad for treatment as she will have to stay home and receive treatment there. She was released earlier on the same conditions. Read:Thank govt for suspending Khaleda’s sentence, Hasan tells BNP The BNP chairperson’s doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications. Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year 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.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said their party remains active in ensuring its Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advanced treatment abroad. "Our party’s efforts are on in this regard (convincing govt to give her permission). We’ll let you know if there is any progress over the matter,” he said. Read: Send Khaleda abroad for treatment: Pro-BNP journos Fakhrul made the remarks at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office as journalists wanted to know about the party's initiative to send Khaleda abroad for advanced treatment for her heart, lung, kidneys and other health complications. Asked about the BNP chief’s latest health condition, the BNP leader said, “She’s now feeling better.” He said Khaleda undergoes health check-up by her personal physicians every day. “There’s a team of doctors who examine her health every night.” Fakhrul also said all members of her medical team will meet Khaleda one day every week and evaluate her condition. Read:Khaleda subjected to “state repression”: BNP 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. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27. She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus. Read:BNP seeks govt’s prompt steps to send Khaleda 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.