Khaleda flies to China

Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the government should resign immediately to “protect the country from danger”.
She made the demand while talking to some journalists at Shahjalal International Airport prior to her departure for China on a five-day visit.
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and BNP MPs were obstructed from entering the VIP lounge at the airport to see off Khaleda.
Some journalists and photographers, however, could enter the airport premises defying the security at the gate leading to the VIP lounge.
After getting down from her car, Khaleda condemned the government for “not allowing” her party leaders to enter the VIP lounge.
She alleged that the government has “failed on all counts and in all fronts and chosen the path of repression”.
The BNP chairperson accused the government of torturing members of parliament and obstructing journalists from their professional duty to collect information.
Khaleda left for Bangkok by a Thai Airlines flight en route to China. She will make overnight stopover in Bangkok and leave for Beijing this morning to begin her five-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
During the visit, the former prime minister is likely to call on President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other officials of the Chinese government.
In Bangkok, Khaleda may meet her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko who is in the Thai capital for treatment.
Members of Khaleda's entourage are BNP standing committee member and ex-army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Vice-Chairman and ex-foreign secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury, Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, Private Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed, Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and photojournalist Nuruddin Ahmed.
Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told UNB that during the visit, the leader of the opposition is expected to discuss ways to strengthen relations between BNP and CPC, bilateral relations between Dhaka and Beijing as well as regional matters.
Khaleda is scheduled to return on December 24.