BNP’s rally began on Tuesday afternoon in the capital demanding that its ‘critically ill’ chairperson Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced treatment.

As part of its countrywide programme, the party arranged the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office.

The rally formally began with a recitation from the Holy Quran around 1:15pm.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies gathered in Naypaltan area since morning to join the rally.

Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP

BNP senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members, will address the rally.

On Monday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced that will hold rallies on Tuesday in all divisional cities demanding their party chairperson's treatment abroad.

"Khaleda Zia is now at the crossroads of life and death due to various complex diseases. Her medical board also revealed the current state of her ailment on Sunday," he said.

Rizvi said it is now urgent to send the BNP chief abroad for advanced treatment in a bid to save her life.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.

Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme

On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

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