The planned transfer of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment has been delayed until Sunday after an air ambulance offered by Qatar did not arrive in Dhaka as scheduled, a senior BNP leader said Friday. The 80-year-old BNP chief, hospitalized on November 23, had been expected to depart late Thursday night or early Friday.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the aircraft may arrive Saturday and that, if Zia’s health permits and the medical board gives its approval, she would be flown on Sunday. Zia’s media cell said the special plane, provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, experienced technical problems and was now expected on Saturday. A medical board caring for Zia announced Thursday that 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 Rahman, 60, has been living in self-imposed exile in London since 2008 and leads the party virtually.
Zia is being treated in the coronary care unit at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital under an expanded medical board that includes 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 are expected to 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 the transfer. On Thursday, military and air force helicopters conducted rooftop landing tests at the hospital; officials say Zia 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 her recovery.
