Dhaka, May 6: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, returned to Dhaka on Tuesday morning after spending nearly four months in the United Kingdom for advanced medical treatment, local media reported.
The 79-year-old veteran politician, who has been battling multiple chronic health conditions, including liver cirrhosis, kidney complications, heart ailments, diabetes, and arthritis, had flown to London on January 8 seeking specialized care. She was admitted to The London Clinic shortly after her arrival and later continued her treatment at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman, in London.
According to reports, Khaleda Zia’s return to Bangladesh was facilitated via an air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. The aircraft, carrying the ailing former Prime Minister along with her two daughters-in-law—Zubaida Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, widow of Khaleda’s late son Arafat Rahman Coco—landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time.
Her son Tarique Rahman, who has been living in exile in London for several years, personally escorted his mother to Heathrow Airport, where she boarded the special medical flight back home, said her personal physician, Prof AZM Zahid Hossain.
Khaleda Zia, a dominant political figure in Bangladesh who served as Prime Minister three times, has largely retreated from active politics in recent years due to her deteriorating health. She has spent much of the past decade under legal and medical scrutiny, including periods of incarceration and house arrest.
Her return has drawn attention from political observers, especially given the BNP’s current position in the opposition and the ongoing political tensions in the country. However, party insiders have emphasized that her visit is strictly on medical grounds and not linked to any political activity.
Upon her arrival in Dhaka, Khaleda Zia was transported under heavy security to her Gulshan residence, where a medical team is expected to monitor her condition and continue her care.
Party leaders, supporters, and well-wishers have expressed relief at her safe return, while reiterating their demand for comprehensive medical support and humane treatment for their ailing leader.