BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to return to Bangladesh on May 5

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to return to Bangladesh after four months in London.

She will be accompanied by her daughters-in-law Zobaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi, according to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

“In Sha Allah, Madam will return to the country on May 5,” he said. “As far as I know her two daughters-in-law (Tarique Rahman’s wife Zobaida and Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda) are to come with her.”

On Jan 8, the BNP chief was admitted to the specialised hospital in Devonshire Place, London, where she underwent advanced treatment under the supervision of liver specialist Prof Patrick Kennedy.

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a specialised air ambulance from his royal fleet to take the BNP chairperson to London.

After receiving treatment at the hospital for 17 days, Khaleda was discharged and taken to her son Tarique's home in London on Jan 25. There she received treatment under the supervision of the specialist physicians.

This year, Khaleda celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with her family after more than six years.

When asked how the BNP chairperson was dong, Fakhrul said: "Alhamdulillah, she is definitely better than before."

The BNP secretary general was also asked about Khaleda's travel plans.

"We're facing some delay in getting the same air ambulance we got from Qatar's emir to fly her to London due to technical reasons. Hence, madam decided she would fly on a Bangladesh Biman flight if that (air ambulance) isn't available at the last moment," he said.

‘‘All preparations have been made with Bangladesh Biman. On the Apr 4, she will set off and In Sha Allah reach Bangladesh around 11am on Apr 5."

BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said Khaleda's Gulshan residence "Feroza" has been prepared for her arrival. "Madam's residence has been cleaned up," he said.

Khaleda's private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said the former prime minister was returning home. "We have prepared everything accordingly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, law enforcing agencies and other related bodies were informed."

Fakhrul wrote to Foreign Advisor Md Touhid Hossain informing about Khaleda's homecoming from London.

Based on the BNP secretary general's letter, the government has arranged to bring home the former prime minister through the high commissions in London and Doha, sources said.

On Oct 29, 2018, Khaleda was sentenced to prison for seven years and fined Tk 1 million in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case. She was imprisoned at the Central Jail in Old Dhaka. During the coronavirus pandemic, the Awami League government released her through a special executive order.

After the Sheikh Hasina government was toppled by the student-led mass movement on Aug 5, Khaleda was released by President Mohammed Shahabuddin through an executive order. The court later quashed her jail sentences.