Khaleda underwent successful eye surgery, says BNP

Chairperson Khaleda Zia has had a “successful” eye surgery at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said.

“The BNP chief underwent a surgery on her right eye on Tuesday. Now she is recuperating at the hospital,” Rizvi told journalists on Thursday.

The three-time former prime minister left for the United Kingdom on Jul 15 leaving behind her ongoing trial in two graft cases over the Zia Orphanage Trust and the Zia Charitable Trust.

She had been staying at her elder son Tarique Rahman's house until the surgery.

Tarique and other members of her family were present at the hospital during the operation.

Tarique, the senior vice chairman of the BNP, has asked Bangladeshis to pray for his mother.

Abdul Malek, President of the party's UK unit, said expatriate leaders and activists wanted to hold a rally with Khaleda.

“But that depends on her health condition and also on how long she is willing to stay,” he said.

Tarique will preside over a ceremony to sign up members to the unit at The Royal Regency in east London on Monday, Malek added.

Khaleda's late son Arafat Rahman Coco's wife Sharmila Rahman, and their two daughters Zahia Rahman and Zafia Rahman, are staying in the same house with Tarique’s family in London.

The BNP chief earlier came to UK in 2015 and stayed there for two months for medical treatment.

Tarique has been in London since 2008. He is facing trial in a number of cases in Bangladesh.