Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is set to return home after receiving medical treatment abroad. Her arrival is scheduled for 10:30 am on Tuesday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, arriving from London via a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. This information was confirmed by Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell, following consultations with BNP Chairperson’s personal physician and BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, as well as BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the excitement surrounding Khaleda Zia’s return is palpable among BNP leaders and activists. The former prime minister will be accompanied by her daughters-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Sharmila Rahman, along with her personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain, adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury, APS Masudur Rahman, and two domestic helps, Fatima Begum and Rupa Haque.
The news of her return has galvanized the BNP and its affiliated organizations, prompting extensive preparations to welcome their party chairperson. Key BNP leaders have been holding a series of meetings to coordinate the welcoming arrangements. Just last evening, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with top leaders from BNP’s Dhaka city and other affiliated organizations to finalize plans.
Khaleda Zia’s political journey has been tumultuous over the past few years. In 2018, she was arrested and imprisoned in Old Dhaka Central Jail due to a graft case. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she was released with certain conditions. Following a significant political change on August 5 last year, President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered her release, and the court dismissed the corruption cases against her.
Earlier this year, on January 8, Khaleda Zia traveled to London for advanced medical treatment. After receiving treatment for 17 days, she stayed at her son Tarique Rahman’s house. Her return marks a significant moment, as it has been over half a decade since she last celebrated Eid with her family.