Only Khaleda Zia to get SSF security as VVIP, not her family, says Advisor Rizwana

The BNP chairperson’ security has been handed over to the SSF after she was declared a VVIP of the state

Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said, although the Special Security Force (SSF) has been assigned to protect “critically ill” BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia during her treatment in hospital, no other member of her family will receive the same security.

She made the clarification on Thursday while speaking about the decisions taken at the Advisory Council meeting, responding to a question on the issue.

After Khaleda, a three-time former prime minister, was declared a Very Very Important Person (VVIP) of the state, the responsibility for her security was formally handed over to the SSF.

A government gazette formalising SSF protection for Khaleda in her capacity as a VVIP was issued on Tuesday. Following that, discussion emerged over whether SSF security would also be provided to her son Tarique Rahman upon his return to the country from London.

When asked, Rizwana said: “ [Khaleda] will receive the privileges according to the gazette, but other members of the Zia family will not.”

Khaleda is scheduled to be flown out to London just after midnight on Thursday in a special air ambulance sent by the emir of Qatar, according to her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

Asked about the matter, Chief Advisor’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said the government is “fully prepared” should the family wish to take the former premier abroad for treatment.

“The government is facilitating the process. If the BNP wants more assistance, that will also be provided,” he said.

Khaleda has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since her admission on Nov 23, after her health deteriorated.

Discussions intensified over whether her son Tarique would return from London to be at his mother’s side, potentially ending more than 15 years of exile.

Amid such discussions, Tarique took to Facebook last Saturday, saying returning to Bangladesh was not a decision “solely in his control”.

In response, the government said it had no objection to his return.

As Khaleda’s condition worsened, rumours circulated on Facebook that Tarique would soon be returning to the country. When asked at that time, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain said he had not yet applied for a travel pass.

Speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry on Tuesday afternoon, he said: “If [Tarique] applies for a travel pass, it will be issued.”

When a journalist asked, “He hasn’t applied yet?” the advisor replied, “To my knowledge, he has not.”