Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today stated that party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's illness began due to the repression and persecution by the previous fascist government. He emphasized that Begum Khaleda Zia has dedicated her life to establishing democracy in Bangladesh, and the injustice she faced, including six years of imprisonment with two in solitary confinement, has led many to suspect this is where her health issues began.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul made these remarks after Juma prayers in front of the BNP central party office in Nayapaltan. Begum Khaleda Zia has been hospitalized in critical condition for several weeks, receiving treatment from highly qualified national and foreign doctors. Fakhrul mentioned that a decision has been made to transfer her to a hospital in England for more advanced care once an air ambulance from Qatar arrives, potentially on December 7.
Mirza Fakhrul stressed that the transfer abroad is contingent upon confirmation from doctors regarding her fitness to fly. Khaleda Zia, aged eighty, has been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney issues.
She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after experiencing respiratory distress. The former Prime Minister is currently under the care of a medical board comprising local and foreign specialist doctors.