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.