The BNP has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's comment that the government has already shown great generosity to party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is "unexpected" as she is fighting for life.

"Khaleda Zia is seriously ill and she is now fighting for life. The treatment she needs is not possible in the country. She needs to be sent to an advanced medical centre abroad without any further delay," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday.

Addressing a discussion organised by Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf Smiriti Parishad at the Jatiya Press Club, Fakhrul said, "This is unfortunate to hear the person who is running the country capturing power saying that she has shown so much humanity [to Khaleda Zia], and asking what else is left to do? This cannot be expected from a leader of a civilised country."

Hasina on Wednesday said they have already shown great generosity to Khaleda though the latter had always intended to hurt the Bangabandhu family.

Fakhrul said Khaleda is not being allowed to receive advanced treatment abroad although she struggled during the Liberation War and fought to restore democracy and people's rights in the country.

Convicted by a court in a corruption case, the BNP chief landed in jail on February 8, 2018.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, she was freed temporarily on certain conditions on March 25 last year. The term of her release have so far been extended four times.