Allow Khaleda to go abroad within 48hrs

The BNP issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to release and send party chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for better treatment.

"She [Khaleda] is very sick. Doctors said that she needed to be sent abroad immediately for better treatment. Otherwise, it would be tough to save her life," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while issuing the ultimatum at a rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters.

He said the government would have to take the responsibility if something happened.

Regarding the law minister's statement that Khaleda's family must apply to the home ministry to send her abroad, Fakhrul said the family sent a letter which asked for her release and for her to be sent abroad.

"Now you [law minister] are telling a lie. I wish your good sense will prevail," he said.

Mentioning that he visited Khaled in hospital, a teary-eyed Fakhrul said, "I never saw tears in her eyes even when she was in jail. She is very sick. She needs treatment."

The former premier has been suffering from multiple health complications, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney issues, liver problems, and heart diseases for a long time, said the medical board formed for her treatment.

On September 12, the government extended the suspension of Khaleda's jail sentence by six more months with the same two conditions as before -- she would not be able to go abroad and would have to receive treatment in the country.

Fakhrul said not only the US, but Bangladeshis have also imposed sanctions on the government.

"People of the country have already told the government that [you] have tortured enough… we will not accept anything more. People of the country have woken up and you [government] cannot send them back home," Fakhrul said.

"If you don't step down, people will oust you from office and it would not be good for you."

The BNP organised the rally demanding Khaleda be sent abroad for better treatment. Party leaders and activists thronged the meeting venue with placards and banners of Khaleda Zia's portraits and the venue area turned human sea before the rally started.