The political landscape in Bangladesh is on the cusp of a significant shift as BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to return from London within this month. Accompanying her are her daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, and Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, signaling a familial reunion after years of political and health struggles.
Sources indicate Khaleda Zia is scheduled to touch down in Bangladesh by April 30, 2025, with meticulous preparations underway for her journey via a specially arranged air ambulance from Qatar. Currently, she is undergoing a thorough health assessment at her eldest son Tarique Rahman’s residence in the United Kingdom, where her condition remains stable but delicate.
A diplomatic insider from Dhaka confirmed that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had formally written to the interim government’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Tawhidul Islam, requesting the arrangements for the air ambulance. The letter emphasized Khaleda Zia’s ongoing medical treatment, noting her desire to return home in the last week of April amid her health concerns.
In response, the Bangladesh government has initiated diplomatic efforts through the High Commissions in London and Doha to facilitate her repatriation. If all goes according to plan, Khaleda Zia could be back in Bangladesh by next Wednesday, April 30.
Khaleda Zia’s political saga has been tumultuous. She was arrested in 2018 over corruption allegations and subsequently imprisoned in Dhaka’s Old Central Jail. Her bail, granted on humanitarian grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually led to her release after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 of last year. The courts later annulled her previous convictions, clearing the way for her return.
Her health has been a persistent concern, with diagnoses including liver cirrhosis, kidney issues, heart conditions, diabetes, and arthritis. She was transported to London for advanced medical care on January 8, 2025. After 17 days of treatment, she moved to Tarique Rahman’s residence, marking her first Eid celebration with family in over five years a stark contrast to her previous Eids spent confined in prison or hospital.
The last time Khaleda Zia visited London was in July 2017, and since then, she has not undertaken any foreign trips. Her return is poised to mark a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political arena, with many watching closely as this chapter unfol
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