Moderator VFD
The top leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are expressing optimism that Begum Khaleda Zia will resume her leadership role in the party after receiving medical treatment abroad. Preparations are reportedly complete for her to travel to the United Kingdom in the second week of November. Sources indicate that Begum Zia is expected to leave Dhaka for London on November 8 via a special air ambulance that has arrived from Canada.
Since her arrest on February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia has faced health issues while in prison. After spending nine months behind bars, she was transferred to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital for treatment under a high court order. She was returned to prison after 32 days. Over her two years and three months of imprisonment, she was admitted to the BSMMU hospital multiple times for treatment.
On February 12, 2020, the first application was made for her to receive medical treatment abroad. The following year, on November 27, it was revealed that she had developed liver cirrhosis. Until March 2024, the government received seven requests for her to be allowed to seek treatment overseas, all of which were rejected by the then-Awami League government.
Following her release on August 6, 2023, Begum Zia now has the opportunity for advanced medical care. Reports indicate that arrangements have been finalized for her departure on November 8 via a special air ambulance. Accompanying her will be a team of 15 individuals, including seven doctors from her medical board and family members.
After receiving a health checkup under specialist doctors in the UK and spending some time with her elder son, Tarique Rahman, she is expected to travel to the United States for a liver transplant.
BNP leaders are hopeful that Khaleda Zia will recover and return to lead the party once again. Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, a member of the BNP’s standing committee, stated that Khaleda Zia should have received medical care seven years ago, but the Awami League government did not allow it. He expressed hope that had she received timely treatment, she could have lived healthily all these years. He believes that she will fully resume her leadership role upon her return to the country after treatment.
During the Awami League government, Begum Khaleda Zia faced 35 cases against her, resulting in a 17-year prison sentence in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust cases.
Source: Link
