BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia departed from London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday for Dhaka, following four months of advanced medical treatment in the UK.
She is travelling aboard a special air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar, with a scheduled stop in Doha before reaching Dhaka on Tuesday morning.
Her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, is accompanying her on the journey. Speaking to reporters at Heathrow, he said, “We will arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday morning with Madam, inshallah.”
Khaleda Zia left the Kingston residence of her elder son, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, around 1:30 PM London time.
Tarique personally drove her to the VIP gate of Terminal 4 at Heathrow, where they arrived at approximately 2:20 PM.
Joining her on the journey were Khaleda Zia’s daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, seated in the back of the vehicle.
From early morning, BNP leaders and supporters from across the UK and Europe had gathered outside the airport to bid farewell their leader.
Braving cold and rainy weather—and despite knowing they would not be able to meet her due to security restrictions—they came to show solidarity and support.
Khaleda Zia had flown to London on January 7 for medical reasons. Her return aboard a Qatari royal air ambulance marks the end of a lengthy period of treatment abroad.
The aircraft is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, where BNP leaders and activists are preparing to welcome her home with a grand reception.