‘Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment’

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday called upon the government to withdraw its restriction on sending their party's ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment.

"Begum Khaleda Zia has been imprisoned unjustly and she's now ill. We demand her release from jail as we want her to recover," he said.

The BNP leader said Khaleda should be given an opportunity to go abroad for the treatment she needs like any other citizen or political leader of the country.

"The restriction unjustly imposed on her should be lifted," he added.

Nazrul came up with the call while inaugurating a photo exhibition arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha in memory of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, marking his 40th death anniversary.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said people have been living in miseries due the pandemic for lack of a pro-people government.

"Establishing a democratic and responsible government is the only solution to the ongoing crisis in the country," he said.

The BNP leader said a pro-people government can only be established through a credible parliamentary election under a neutral and non-partisan administration.

Khaleda, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.

She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3. She is still receiving treatment there.

On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for her treatment at the hospital.

She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, but the BNP chief is still suffering from post-Covid complications.

Her family submitted an application to the government on May 6 seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment, but it was turned down on legal grounds.

Amid the pandemic, the government released Khaleda from jail through an executive order on March 25 last year on conditions that she would take treatment at home and would not go abroad.