BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be flown to London on Friday, as the Qatar-sent air ambulance has been delayed and could not reach Dhaka in time for her scheduled departure on Thursday night.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told TIMES of Bangladesh that the air ambulance sent by the Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has been delayed due to technical reasons.
“We expect the aircraft to arrive in Dhaka on Friday morning. If it does, the air ambulance may depart for London with Begum Khaleda Zia between 10am and 11am,” he said.
Once the air ambulance lands at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Khaleda Zia will be transported from Evercare Hospital to the airport by a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter. She will then be boarded onto the waiting air ambulance for the London flight.
Earlier this year, on 8 January, Khaleda Zia travelled to London for treatment on an air ambulance sent by the Qatar Emir.
Meanwhile, her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman is flying to Bangladesh on Thursday midnight Bangladesh time. BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Ruman said she is scheduled to depart at 12am Bangladesh time and land at Sylhet Osmani International Airport at 9:55am on Friday.
In a separate Facebook post, Mahdi Amin, adviser to the BNP’s acting chairman, said Zubaida is due to accompany Khaleda Zia to London on the air ambulance. However, if the aircraft arrives before she reaches Dhaka, the air ambulance will depart with Khaleda Zia regardless.
