United News of Bangladesh

A total of 15 people will accompany BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on her flight to London, scheduled to depart early Friday, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan today (Thursday, December 04). Those accompanying the former prime minister include her daughter-in-law Syeda Shameela Rahman; Adviser to the chairperson Dr Mohammad Anamul Haque Choudhury; physicians Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, Fakhruddin Mohammad Siddiqui, Md Shahabuddin Talukder, Nooruddin Ahmad, Md Zafor Iqbal, Mohammad Al Mamun, and UK-based specialist Dr Richard Beale; SSF officials Hasan Shahriar Iqbal and Syed Samin Mahfuz; acting chairman’s assistant Md Abdul Hai Mollick; assistant private secretary Md Masuder Rahman; and housemaids Fatema Begum and Rupa Sikdar. Khaleda Zia has been receiving intensive treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital since her admission on November 23. She remains in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) due to multiple complications involving her liver, kidneys and heart. Read more: Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul A medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with specialists from both home and abroad, has been overseeing her treatment. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party chief may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday on a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. “You have already heard that we have received a highly advanced air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, on his own initiative and out of his generosity. It will arrive here tonight and, most likely, very early in the morning, they will take our leader Begum Khaleda Zia to the United Kingdom,” he said during a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Read more: Air ambulance delay may slightly push back Khaleda Zia’s departure

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday for advanced treatment by a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday. “You have already heard that we have received a highly advanced air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, on his own initiative and out of his generosity. It will arrive here tonight and, most likely, very early in the morning, they will take our leader Begum Khaleda Zia to the United Kingdom,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Khaleda Zia to be flown to London: Dr Zahid He said all necessary procedures for Khaleda’s travel have already been completed. “You may have also come to know who will be accompanying her. A team of doctors will travel with Madam.” The BNP leader said the royal air ambulance is equipped with very modern facilities. “It has everything available, even an operation theatre.” Fakhrul said the medical board formed with local and foreign specialists has recommended shifting Khaleda to a specialised hospital in the UK for better treatment, and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has given his consent to the decision. Seeking prayers from the people, he said, “We pray to Almighty Allah to ensure her safe journey and good health, and that she returns to us fully recovered.” Fakhrul urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of “the most popular leader of the nation — the uncompromising leader of democracy — who is seen as a guardian by people across the country, no matter their political views.” BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan was also present at the press conference. Earlier in the day, Khaleda’s personal physician and party Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain said she will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment. Khaleda Zia only VVIP entitled to prescribed state facilities: Adviser The decision was made unanimously by a medical board including local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Regarding her current condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly as advised by the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us.” On 8 January, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on 6 May by the special air ambulance. The former prime minister has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she is still under close observation. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety.  

The chiefs of Army, Navy and Air on Tuesday night (December 02, 2025) visited ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. According to Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of Naval Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, chief of Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan visited the former prime minister. Read more: Tarique Rahman’s return a personal, family decision: Khosru Several political leaders and others are visiting Khaleda Zia who has been undergoing treatment at the hospital since November 23. Meanwhile, two specialist medical teams from the UK and China are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday morning (December 03, 2025) to support the medical board formed to ensure treatment of the BNP chairperson. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday (December 02) said not only BNP leaders and activists but people across the country are deeply worried and sympathetic over the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. “We will pray only to Allah for the recovery of our leader Khaleda Zia. She is the symbol of people’s trust in this country,” he said while supervising a Qurankhwani and the slaughtering of goats as sadaqah-e-jariyah at his residence in the capital. Rizvi said Khaleda had led the nation through many critical junctures, never left the country, and remained beside people with courage and determination despite repeated attempts to remove her from the political landscape. Read more: Govt ready to provide special security to Tarique Rahman: Home Adviser “Today, it is not just the BNP or its associate and front organisations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sechchhasebak Dal and Mohila Dal—who are worried. People outside the party are also gripped by deep concern and sympathy. It is difficult to express in words the emotions surrounding her critical illness,” Rizvi said. Speaking about the religious activities held for her recovery, he said orphans and madrasah students had been reciting the Holy Qur’an since morning under the guidance of an imam present at the event. “We firmly believe Allah will accept their prayers, Qur’an recitation, and this sadaqah-e-jariyah,” he added. Under the supervision of Kofil Uddin Ahmed, joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, goats were slaughtered as sadaqah-e-jariyah seeking Khaleda Zia’s recovery, and the meat was distributed among the poor and destitute. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations.

The government has declared BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ (VVIP). The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Council of Advisers, held on Tuesday at the State Guest House Jamuna, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud read out the statement at a media briefing after the meeting. He, however, did not take any question. He said the meeting decided to declare Khaleda Zia a VVIP of the State, considering her current physical condition, unhindered treatment in the hospital, making plan for her advanced medical care abroad, if necessary, her security and travel facilities and her high status. All relevant authorities were instructed to implement this decision immediately, said the Planning Adviser. He said Khaleda Zia's family and her party are aware of this matter. The meeting also offered prayers for the speedy recovery of three-time former Prime Minister BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The meeting also urged the nation to pray for the speedy recovery of Khaleda Zia. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present at the media briefing. The BNP Chairperson is receiving her prescribed treatment properly and is expected to recover, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Tuesday. “We firmly believe she will recover this time and return to us. She is properly receiving the treatment being administered to her,” he said. Talking to reporters during a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital at noon, Dr Zahid said Khaleda Zia is responding to the treatment provided by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists. Tarique expresses gratitude, reiterates call for prayers for Khaleda

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is receiving her prescribed treatment properly and is expected to recover, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Tuesday (December 02, 2025). “We firmly believe she will recover this time and return to us. She is properly receiving the treatment being administered to her,” he said. Talking to reporters during a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital at noon, Dr Zahid said Khaleda Zia is responding to the treatment provided by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations. Tarique expresses gratitude, reiterates call for prayers for Khaleda “A medical board consisting of doctors from the UK, USA and Bangladesh is overseeing her treatment. Tarique Rahman is constantly monitoring the situation, and the interim government continues to extend its support,” Zahid added. He urged the nation to pray for Khaleda Zia’s recovery and avoid paying heed to any rumours. “Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and I will continue to update you on her condition,” he said. Dr Zahid also informed that a specialist medical team from the UK will arrive today (Tuesday) to assist in her treatment. Decisions regarding whether she will be taken abroad for treatment depend entirely on the medical board, he added. Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin Meanwhile, the main team of Chinese specialist physicians is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (Tuesday) to oversee the treatment of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A preliminary delegation of Chinese doctors visited Evercare Hospital on Monday (Dec 1), ahead of the full team’s arrival.  

Expressing deep concern over BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's health condition, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 01) said India stands ready to extend all possible support in whatever way they can. "Deeply concerned to learn about the health of Begum Khaleda Zia, who has contributed to Bangladesh’s public life for many years," Modi said in a message through his verified X handle. Read more: Growing concerns over Khaleda’s health; Chinese team joins medial efforts "Our sincere prayers and best wishes for her speedy recovery," he added. The former Prime Minister remains in a critical state as her health deteriorated on Sunday night (November 30). Since her admission to Evercare Hospital on November 23, Khaleda Zia has been under intensive treatment in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for multiple complications affecting her liver, kidneys and heart. On Sunday night, her condition worsened and she was placed on ventilator support. Read more: Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has been placed on ventilation on Sunday night (November 30) as her health has taken another critical turn. “Begum Zia’s condition has turned critical again. She has been on ventilation support since last night,” BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan told reporters on Monday (December 01). Read More: Mirza Abbas blames ‘mistreatment’ in jail for Khaleda’s illness Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since she was admitted on November 23 with multiple health complications.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is responding to the treatment provided by the medical board, her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said on Saturday (November 29). “Alhamdulillah, her condition has remained stable for the last three days--27, 28 and 29 November. In medical terms, she is maintaining the treatment, meaning she can take the treatment the doctors are giving her,” he said. Zahid, a BNP Standing Committee member and a member of medical board overseeing her treatment, made the remarks while briefing reporters in front of Evercare Hospital. He urged the people of the country to pray for her so that she can continue the treatment and recover fully. Khaleda may need treatment abroad, but not fit for travel: Fakhrul About the possibility of taking her abroad, he said any decision will depend on her overall condition and the medical board’s recommendation. “When a decision is made, it will be informed.” Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of 23 November after tests detected an infection in her lungs. BNP leaders earlier said her condition became “critical” from Thursday. She has been under treatment in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) since 27 November. Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been closely monitoring her treatment. “He is in constant contact with the doctors and the medical board to ensure that her treatment continues without interruption,” he noted. He said Khaleda Zia is receiving support from her family members — including Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of her late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, and her younger brother Shamim Eskander — as well as BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and all members of the Standing Committee. Khaleda’s health still fragile, doctors report no improvement Her treatment is also continuing with the full cooperation of the doctors, officials and nurses at Evercare Hospital, he added. The BNP leader said the medical team is working based on joint consultations with doctors from the UK, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, and leading hospitals in the United States, including Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai. “Her treatment will continue following these joint discussions.” He again called upon everyone to pray for her recovery and expressed gratitude to those, including members of the Interim Government’s Advisory Council, who have already urged the nation to pray for her. Professor Zahid also requested BNP leaders and activists not to crowd the hospital. “There are around 300 other patients here. We must make sure their treatment is not disturbed.” No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt He mentioned that many heads of state and government, as well as several countries, have expressed concern about Khaleda Zia’s health. “The Acting Chairman has extended his gratitude to all of them,” he said.

The interim government on Saturday (November 29) said there is no restriction or objection regarding BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made it clear when he was asked whether there is any restriction or objection from the government regarding Tarique's return to Bangladesh. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has already expressed deep concern about the physical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and has sought doa for her from the people of the country. Earlier, at the weekly meeting of Council of Advisers, prayers and doa were offered for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat. Read more: 'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda