BNP and its associate bodies have taken up an eight-day countrywide programme to force the government for allowing its chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced medical treatment. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Wednesday. The programmes include demonstration, rally, human chain, doa mahfil and silent procession. Read: No change in Khaleda’s condition: Fakhrul BNP, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, Muktijoddha Dal and Mohila Dal, Krishak Dal and Chhatra Dal will observe the programmes from November 25 to December 4. As part of the programmes, he said, Jubo Dal will stage demonstrations across the country on November 25 (Thursday), while Swechchasebak Dal, Krishak Dal and Chhatra Dal will observe a similar programme all over the country on November 28, December 3 and December 4 respectively. In Dhaka, the programmes will be held in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader said. He said BNP will organise rallies in all district headquarters on December 30, while Muktijoddha Dal form human chains all over the country on December 2 and Mohila Dal take out silent processions across the country on December 1.        Besides, Fakhrul said, BNP will arrange doa mahfil in all mosques across the country after Juma’ prayers on November 26 praying for Khaleda’s release and early recovery. The other religious community members will also arrange prayer sessions in their worship places on the same day. “We’re going to observe these programmes from tomorrow (Thursday) demanding Madam’s (Khaleda’s) release and her treatment abroad. Observance of these programmes will depend on Khaleda Zia’s health condition. We may change the programmes, if necessary,” he said. He condemned the attacks on their party’s rallies in different parts of the country, including Khulna, Narsingdi, Natore, Satkhira and Barguna on Monday, demanding Khaleda’s release for advanced treatment outside the country. Meanwhile, BNP’s all district units submitted memorandums to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across the country today (Wednesday) to press for their same demand. On Monday, the party arranged countrywide rallies and observed a seven-hour mass-hunger strike all over the country on Saturday to mount pressure on the government to allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad. Read:Pro-BNP lawyers’ memo over Khaleda’s treatment to be examined: Law Minister 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, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also 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. Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said the memorandum submitted by pro-BNP lawyers seeking government permission to send its chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment will be examined. “I would like to remind you one thing that Khaleda Zia was freed to stay home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considered the matter from a humanitarian aspect. So I would say the government doesn’t lack humanity or compassion.” Read: Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister “We know how to exhibit humanity and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina knows how to do it,” the minister added. “I’ll definitely examine the memorandum. We need to hold discussions to make a decision and we’ll do that. I don't think it would be right for me to tell you anything prematurely today,” the minister added.

BNP will submit memorandums to all the Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across the country on Wednesday demanding that its Chairperson Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced medical treatment. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Monday. Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Now BNP to hold rallies Monday “Our leaders and activists together with people will submit memorandums to all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) offices on November 24 (Wednesday) demanding the release of our leader (Khaleda) for her treatment abroad,” he said. Fakhrul warned that they will come up with harsher programmes if their demand is not met by the time.  “We don’t have any other alternative to intensifying the movement.” As part of their countrywide programme, Dhaka south and north city units of BNP arranged the rally to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go to any advanced centre overseas for treatment.