PM Hasina criticises BNP hunger strike for Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad

The prime minister questions the absence of Tarique, Khaleda's son, during her illness

Sheikh Hasina has labelled the BNP leaders' hunger strike for their chief Khaleda Zia as a "drama" and questioned why her son Tarique Rahman has not visited her during her illness.

“Today, I observed BNP leaders participating in a hunger strike to demand better treatment for Khaleda Zia. There must be a limit for such a drama. They are doing nothing but staging farces,” the prime minister said during a meeting of the ruling Awami League in Dhaka’s Kawla on Saturday.

BNP leaders and activists staged a three-hour hunger strike in Dhaka's Naya Paltan and in district towns and major cities across the country. Their demand is the immediate release and overseas treatment for Khaleda, who is in critical condition at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital.

Hasina questioned Tarique’s absence during his mother’s illness. She inquired, "Why hasn't her son come to visit her when she's unwell?" She added, "I would encourage him to come and see his mother."

Tarique, convicted of graft and the Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally, lives in London.

Former prime minister Khaleda is also convicted of corruption, but out on suspended sentences.

On Sept 25, Khaleda’s family petitioned the home ministry to allow her to travel abroad to seek medical treatment. The law ministry turned down the application.

On Oct 9, a medical board formed by Evercare Hospital recommended that Khaleda be swiftly transferred to a multi-disciplinary centre abroad.

The 78-year-old BNP chief has been suffering from a number of health complications for a long time, including issues relating to arthritis, heart disease, her lungs, liver, kidneys and diabetes.

Khaleda, jailed for 17 years in connection with two graft cases, was released from prison through an executive order on Mar 25, 2020, that allowed her to stay at home, but barred her from travelling abroad.

The government says she has to return to prison before she can petition to travel abroad.