The plan to airlift Khaleda Zia to London has been postponed as the Qatar Emir’s special air ambulance did not arrive.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media that due to a technical glitch, the aircraft would not arrive on Friday. If all goes well, it may reach Dhaka on Saturday.
He further stated, “If Madam’s condition is stable enough to travel and the medical board gives approval, then, Inshallah, she will fly on the 7 December (Sunday).”
Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia’s daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman has arrived in Dhaka to accompany the BNP chairperson on her planned transfer to London for treatment. She has arrived at the Evercare Hospital.
BNP media cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumman said the flight carrying Zubaida landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:43am on Friday.
She was received at the airport by UK-based physician Richard Bailey, her elder sister Shahina Khan Zaman and her husband, retired Air Commodore Syed Shafiuzzaman, as well as Atiqur.
Also present were the chairperson’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam Shams, Sharmin Akhter and Maj (retd) Moinul Hossain.
Zubaida Rahman began her journey from London on Thursday, departing Heathrow Airport at 7:15pm local time on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-302.
BNP Chairperson’s personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said at around midnight on Thursday that Khaleda Zia remained under close observation in the Critical Care Unit.
Earlier this year, on 7 January, Khaleda Zia was flown to London in an air ambulance provided by Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for advanced treatment.
She later returned home on 5 May using the same air ambulance, accompanied by Zubaida Rahman.
Back in 2008, Khaleda’s son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman travelled to London for medical treatment after his release from jail, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.
