Fakhrul: Khaleda is scheduled to travel to London on January 7 for treatment

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to depart for London on the night of January 7 (Tuesday) for advanced medical treatment, as announced by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday evening.

“We, the members of the Standing Committee, are here to bid farewell to our leader, Khaleda Zia, as she embarks on her journey to London,” Fakhrul said during a meeting with Khaleda at her Gulshan residence.

He wished her a swift recovery, hoping she would return to the country soon after her treatment.

Fakhrul added that no political discussions took place during the meeting. Khaleda instructed them to continue their work for the people and for democracy.

“We prayed to the Almighty for her recovery, for her safe return, and for her leadership in the ongoing democratic struggle, which is the hope of the people of Bangladesh,” he said. 

The BNP Secretary General also prayed for her safe journey and successful treatment. When asked about her return, Fakhrul stated that only the doctors could provide an estimate, but he hoped she would be back soon after completing her treatment.

The meeting at Khaleda’s residence started at 9:12 pm and lasted about 30 minutes. Several key BNP Standing Committee members, including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, and others, were present.

Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda’s personal physician, is expected to hold a press conference at her residence to provide details about the trip to London.

In the evening, some BNP leaders, including vice-chairman Abdullah Noman and adviser Amanullah Aman, visited Khaleda. Earlier, LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed also met her to inquire about her health.

Sources indicated that Khaleda Zia is scheduled to depart Dhaka at 10:00 pm on January 7 via a Qatar Airways air ambulance, heading for London. Afterward, she may travel to the United States for further treatment at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland.

This will be Khaleda Zia’s second medical trip abroad, following her 2017 visit to London. It will also be her first meeting with her son, Tarique Rahman, in seven years and her first overseas trip since being released from jail.

Despite her declining health, the Awami League government had previously denied her permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, she was fully freed under an executive order, allowing her to seek treatment abroad.

Khaleda, 79, has been battling liver cirrhosis, which requires a liver transplant, along with other health complications. Her medical team has been advocating for her overseas treatment since her diagnosis in late 2021. 

She will be accompanied by a 15-member delegation, including her late son Arafat Rahman Koko's wife, several physicians, BNP leaders, personal staff, and two housemaids.

A senior BNP leader confirmed that Khaleda's office has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the details of her treatment abroad and the delegation accompanying her.