BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s trip to London for medical treatment has been postponed at the last minute. The special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar failed to reach Dhaka on Friday due to a technical glitch, delaying her trip abroad by at least a day.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that if there are no further complications, the air ambulance could reach Dhaka on Saturday. He said, “Depending on the physical condition of the madam and the decision of the medical board, the journey may be possible on the 7th.”
Khaleda Zia’s preparations for London have been the subject of intense discussion in the political arena since Thursday night. At the same time, her eldest son’s wife and the wife of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, has left for Dhaka. Upon reaching Dhaka, she will go directly to Evercare Hospital to review Khaleda Zia’s physical condition, BNP sources said.
According to doctors, all necessary preparations have been made to provide Khaleda Zia with medical treatment by air. Several virtual meetings have been held with experts from the UK and China. Her long-standing heart disease, diabetes and liver cirrhosis have complicated the situation.
During the Sheikh Hasina government, BNP repeatedly sought permission for Khaleda Zia to travel abroad for medical treatment, but it was not granted. It was during the interim government formed after the July uprising that the process of her traveling abroad moved forward for the first time.