BNP chief Khaleda Zia returns to Dhaka from London

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has returned to Dhaka from London.

The flight carrying her landed at Shahjalal International Airport around 5:15pm on Saturday, BNP leaders have said.

Her Advisory Council member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Abdul Awal Mintu’s son Tabith Awal accompanied her.

The BNP chief had left for London on Sep 15 for treatment. She celebrated Eid-ul-Azha there with the families of her elder son Tarique and her deceased younger son Arafat Rahman Coco.

She returned on the day when the execution of death-row war criminal BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury is imminent.

Salauddin Quader, along with Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, have sought the president’s pardon admitting to the crimes they committed during the Liberation War.

Security at Shahjalal International Airport and adjacent areas was strengthened for Khaleda’s return.

APBN SP Rashedul Islam said they checked all cars entering the airport.

BNP leaders and activists who came to welcome their chief were not allowed into the airport.

They gathered on the footpath outside the airport.

BNP Assistant Office Secretary Shamimur Rahman Shamim told bdnews24.com in the morning that Tarique Rahman and his family members had seen off Khaleda at Heathrow Airport in London.

Party spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon said Khaleda was returning ‘without completing treatment’ in view of the ‘crisis’ in Bangladesh.

BNP asked the government to ramp up security for its chief when she returns.