Khaleda Zia’s emotional reunion.
‘She is over 80. It’s time. She is sick. There is no use crying so much.’ The then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had boasted during a visit to the UK in October 2023 regarding the demand for better treatment for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was on the verge of death. Within 14 months, the whole political scenario of Bangladesh changed.
At the face of a student uprising, Sheikh Hasina was compelled to step down from power on August 5 last year and fled to India. On the other hand, Khaleda Zia came back to a free life. Presently, Khaleda Zia is receiving treatment freely in London where Sheikh Hasina boasted. The Emir of Qatar also gifted the plane in which Khaleda Zia went to the UK in her honour.
The air ambulance carrying Khaleda Zia landed at London’s Heathrow Airport at 9:05 am local time on Wednesday, UK time. There, the mother was welcomed by her eldest son, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman. An emotional atmosphere was created there. After completing immigration work, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia left for the hospital.
The political analyst and BNP Chairperson’s Adviser, Zahiruddin Swapan, told our time that Khaleda Zia has been drenched in the love of the people in the face of public anger that compelled Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. She is getting advanced treatment in the UK freely. He said that people are the owners of the state. One can create a fascist system by creating local and foreign oligarchs by excluding the owners, but when the tsunami of public anger rises, it collapses like a house of cards and flies like cotton. The escape of Sheikh Hasina has proved that.
An important BNP leader said, “This is a glorious reunion of democracy in Bangladesh. Today is an unforgettable day for the opposition political parties including BNP.
A bright morning in London, 8,000 kilometres away from Bangladesh. After about 16 and half hours with a stop over in Doha, the air ambulance carrying former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia touched down at London’s Heathrow International Airport at 9:05 am. His eldest son, Tarique Rahman, was already waiting for his mother Khaleda Zia. His wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman was with him. Tarique Rahman, who was waiting for seven long years to meet his mother, was all filled with laughter. Finally, the long wait brought his mother closer to him. Khaleda Zia was accorded a welcome by her son and daughter-in-law at the airport. Getting to see his mother at the airport itself, Tarique Rahman went near her and jumped onto her, hugging like a child. The long wait was over. The sweet moment between mother and son created an emotional atmosphere. Daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman was also emotional after meeting her mother-in-law after a long time. She also hugged her mother-in-law.
After completing immigration procedures, Khaleda Zia and her entourage left for the hospital through the Royal VVIP gate of the airport’s fourth terminal. Tarique Rahman got into his car and drove away with his mother for the London clinic himself at that moment. Around 11 am local time, they reached the hospital. Zubaida Rahman was also with them. Expatriate leaders and activists along with Bangladeshis sent the whole snap on their mobile phone. Some of them went live in social media; within moments, it became widespread.
Earlier, Khaleda Zia had gone to the UK on July 15, 2017, for follow-up treatment of her eyes and feet. After that, she did not make any more foreign trips. During this time, she did not meet her son Tarique Rahman in person either. They only talked virtually.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner to the UK, Hazrat Ali Khan, welcomed Khaleda Zia with flowers at the airport. Heathrow Airport authorities provided VIP protocol to Khaleda Zia. UK BNP President MA Malik and General Secretary Qaysar M Ahmed also welcomed the former prime minister with flowers at the airport. Many leaders and activists of the UK BNP and its affiliates and affiliated organizations were present at the time. Three granddaughters and grandmother enquired about Khaleda Zia’s health after her admission to the hospital.
The UK BNP President MA Malik said last night that after admission, the doctors coming with Khaleda Zia from Bangladesh have handed over her medical documents to the doctors at the London Clinic. After that, the doctors started primary treatment for Khaleda Zia after seeing all the necessary tests and documents. Further steps will be taken as per the decision of the doctors after primary treatment. Besides the physicians from Bangladesh, her family members are accompanying her to the hospital.
Earlier, Khaleda Zia left for the UK in an air ambulance from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 11:30 pm Bangladesh time on Tuesday for better treatment. Before that, lakhs of people stood on both sides of Gulshan, Banani and Airport Road to bid her farewell. She was escorted by 15 including doctors, nurses, personal officials, and employees. The Qatar Air Ambulance was dispatched by Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In its journey towards Dubai, the helicopter had to land in Doha for stop over where Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Nazrul Islam called on Khaleda Zia.
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