BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia Khaleda Zia has embarked on her journey to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, from where she will fly to London for advanced medical treatment aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
She left her Gulshan residence, Feroza, around 8:15 pm for the airport. She is scheduled to depart for London via Doha at 10:00 pm.
Thousands of party leaders and activists lined the streets to bid her farewell, chanting slogans in support of their leader.
Khaleda Zia will board a special air ambulance provided by Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The state-of-the-art Airbus A319 air ambulance, which landed at Dhaka’s VIP tarmac earlier in the evening, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, including ventilators, defibrillators, infusion pumps, and cardiac monitors, ensuring uninterrupted care during the journey.
Upon arrival at Heathrow International Airport, she will be directly admitted to The London Clinic, a renowned medical center.
This will be her first overseas medical trip since 2017 and a reunion with her son, Tarique Rahman, after seven years. Tarique, along with his family and BNP leaders from the UK chapter, will receive Khaleda at the airport.
To ensure smooth proceedings, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) implemented extensive security measures at the airport, deploying personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB, and SWAT teams. The BNP also issued directives to its leaders and activists to maintain order during the farewell, urging them to gather on footpaths to avoid public inconvenience.
The BNP revealed Khaleda Zia’s convoy route, which included Gulshan-2 and the Banani-Kakoli crossing. Despite instructions to minimize disruptions, the gathering of supporters caused some traffic congestion along the route.
Khaleda Zia, who has been battling multiple health conditions—including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, and heart—will be accompanied by six doctors from her medical team and four air ambulance doctors.
Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, a BNP standing committee member, confirmed the arrangements and noted the Qatar Royal Family's generous support following the Emir’s concern about Khaleda’s health.
