BNP chief Khaleda's return from London delayed

Khaleda Zia is not flying back to Bangladesh this week as she is now taking treatment for her leg, BNP leaders have said.

The BNP chief has been in London since July 15 for medical treatment. She is staying at her elder son Tarique Rahman's house in London and celebrated Eid-ul-Azha there.

Earlier this month, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said Khaleda would return in the second week.

The President of the BNP's UK chapter MA Malek told bdnews24.com on Thursday that the schedule for Khaleda's return on Sept 15 has been deferred.

"The treatment of her leg is under way," he said.

Malek said Khaleda will join a reunion of expatriate leaders and activists of the party in London before returning home. The date for the programme has not been set.

Mirza Fakhrul said later that he spoke to Khaleda on the phone on Wednesday night.

"She said she was undergoing treatment for arthritis of her leg. The doctors recommended some tests and she will return after those are done," he said.

Khaleda also underwent a surgery on her right eye at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London on Aug 8.

She is staying at Tarique's house in London. His wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, Khaleda's late son Arafat Rahman Coco's wife Sharmila Rahman, and daughters Zahia Rahman and Zafia Rahman are also staying there now.

The senior vice chairman of the party, Tarique has been living in the UK since 2008. Khaleda has always met him in London after he had moved from Dhaka, where he faces trial in a number of cases and has been convicted of money laundering.