Khaleda’s Treatment: Allow her to go abroad or deal with consequences

BNP has threatened to launch a movement to oust the government if it does not immediately allow party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment.

"We would like to clearly ask the government to free our leader Khaleda Zia and take steps for sending her abroad for treatment without further delay," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a rally yesterday.

Otherwise, people will not forgive the government, he said. "A movement to ensure your [government's] fall will begin and a pro-people government will be established removing you from power."

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organised the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding Khaleda's treatment abroad as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Fakhrul said the government is not willing to grant permission to Khaleda to go to an advanced medical centre abroad as it thinks their obstacles to staying in power will be cleared if she dies.

"You people can be rest assured that it won't happen. They thought BNP would be vanished through the killing of Ziaur Rahman. That didn't happen. Khaleda Zia has rightly chosen her successor -- our acting chairman Tarique Rahman -- and the party is moving forward under his leadership," the BNP leader added.

He said Khaleda must be brought back to politics for restoring democracy, people's rights and establishing good governance in the country.

Recalling the BNP chief's contributions to the country and her long struggle for democracy, Fakhrul said in Bangladesh there is no other living leader who made such huge sacrifices like Khaleda.

He alleged that many Chhatra Dal leaders have been subjected to enforced disappearance, killing and repression by the current government. He called upon students and Chhatra Dal to restore people's democratic rights, protect the country's independence and sovereignty. "Our leader Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad must be ensured through a movement."

He urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to get ready for making any sacrifice to make their current movement a success.

Khaleda, 76, has been undergoing treatment at the capital's Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.

The former prime minister's medical board members on November 28 said she immediately needed to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the home ministry on November 11 seeking permission to take her abroad for treatment.

However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider the BNP chairperson's appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.