The planned flight of critically ill former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment has been pushed back to Sunday after an air ambulance offered by Qatar failed to reach Dhaka as scheduled, a senior BNP leader said Friday.
The 80-year-old BNP chief, hospitalised on November 23, had been expected to depart late Thursday night or early Friday. “If everything goes well, the aircraft may arrive tomorrow (Saturday) and if madam’s health permits and the medical board approves, then, InshaAllah, she will fly on the 7th (Sunday),” BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.
Zia’s media cell said the special plane provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani experienced technical problems and was expected to arrive on Saturday. A medical board caring for Zia on Thursday decided she should be sent to London for further treatment.
Zubaida Rahman, the physician wife of Zia’s only living son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, arrived in Dhaka Friday to accompany her mother-in-law. Tarique, 60, has been living in self-imposed exile in London since 2008 and leads the party virtually.
Zia, a three-time prime minister, is being treated in the coronary care unit (CCU) at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital under an expanded medical board including Bangladeshi and foreign doctors. Earlier this year she returned from London on May 6 after four months of advanced treatment.
The BNP released a list saying 14 people will travel with Zia to London, including Syeda Shameela Rahman (wife of Zia’s late son Arafat Rahman), six doctors, party adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury, two Special Security Force agents provided under Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, and several personal aides.
Qatar had offered the air ambulance for Zia’s transfer. On Thursday, two military and air force helicopters conducted rooftop landing tests at the hospital; she is likely to be taken from the hospital to the airport by helicopter.
Supporters and BNP units across Bangladesh held prayers in mosques after Friday Jumma services, seeking Zia’s recovery.
