Bangladesh: former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia being taken to London for better treatment
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, December 5, 2025
The critical old age sickness of Bangladesh’s octogenarian two-time former prime minister (1991-1996, 2001-2006) Begum Khaleda dominates the political discourse across the country . Begum Zia who is suffering from multiple organ failures continues to be the chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which is the main contender for power in the upcoming election to the National Assembly slated to come off in February 2026. Her lone surviving son and successor Tarique Zia is based in London and unable to return to Bangladesh because of legal complications and multiplicity of pending criminal cases against him. However, effort is on to take Begum Khaleda Zia, consort of assassinated Bangladesh president and Prime Minister Ziaur Rahaman, to London even though she is unlikely to leave the country before Sunday. A country-wide prayer is on today, the ‘Zummah’ day (Sabbath) of Muslims for early recovery of Begum Zia.
Sources from Bangladesh said that Zubaida Rahaman, London based doctor and daughter in law of Begum Zia today reached Dhaka and visited her mother in law in the Evercare hospital to see her condition before taking her to London for treatment. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, reached the capital's Evercare Hospital on Friday.
She took the hospital's emergency lift to where Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment.At that time, BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman, General Secretary of the Mahila Dal Sultan Ahmed and leaders at various levels were present.
She left London Heathrow Airport at 6:53pm (London time) on Thursday on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:45am (Bangladesh time) on Friday and left through the VIP gate, said BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
Although Zubaida was scheduled to accompany Khaleda Zia back to London on Friday on a special air ambulance provide by the Emir of Qatar, the plan has been delayed.The Qatar royal air ambulance is now unlikely to reach Dhaka before Saturday due to technical issues.
As a result, Khaleda Zia is not expected to travel to London before Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB.“Because of a technical fault, the air ambulance is not arriving today. If everything goes well, it may arrive on Saturday. If Madam’s condition allows and the medical board agrees, she will fly on December 7 (Sunday), Insha’Allah,” Fakhrul said.
Dr Zubaida, a member of the medical board overseeing Khaleda’s treatment, has been monitoring her condition closely from London through virtual consultations. Her daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, saw her off at Heathrow on Thursday.Zubaida Rahman left Evercare Hospital after spending about two hours by Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s side.
She headed to her mother’s residence in Dhanmondi at 2:20pm on Friday.Khaleda Zia remains under close observation in the Critical Care Unit with complications involving her liver, kidneys and heart.
BNP sources say all arrangements have been completed for Khaleda’s treatment at London Bridge Hospital once she is flown out.This will be her second medical evacuation on a Qatar royal air ambulance. Earlier, on January 8, she travelled to London for treatment and returned home on May 6. Zubaida stayed with her throughout that period, ending her 17-year stay in London, before returning there again on June 5.
Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima have been living in London since 2008.
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