United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, will not be flown to London for the time being as her health has not improved sufficiently for travel. A member of her medical board, wishing anonymity, told UNB on Monday (December 08, 2025) that Khaleda Zia’s recovery is still not at the level needed for an air trip. “Whenever one complication improves, another appears. While one health parameter is under control, another rises,” the doctor said. He said while her long-standing liver complication is being managed, the medical board remains concerned about her kidney problem. “So, our medical team has decided not to send her abroad until her condition improves further.” Read more: Khaleda’s London medical trip 'depends on her health condition' Khaleda Zia, 80, has been treated at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) on November 27 due to multiple health complications. Her treatment is supervised by a board led by cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, including specialists from Evercare Hospital and from the UK, USA, and China. The former prime minister has long been suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney, liver, lung, heart, and eye problems. Currently, a medical board of around two dozen local and foreign specialists meets daily at Evercare to adjust her treatment. Another board member said her health is not worsening, but she is still at risk. “Advanced care is being given in the CCU. Each night, the board reviews her condition. Specialists discuss individual issues, adjust medications, change doses, or stop and restart medicines as needed.” He said Khaleda’s daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife, attends the board meetings in person while meals are sent daily from her Gulshan home as advised by the doctors. Read more: Air ambulance delay likely to push Khaleda Zia’s London travel to Sunday Air Ambulance Not Arriving Tuesday The air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar to fly Khaleda Zia to London will not arrive on Tuesday either as the operator has asked to cancel its previously approved landing at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A senior official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said Germany-based FAI Aviation Group submitted a formal request through a local agency to withdraw its earlier landing slot. Earlier, CAAB had approved the ambulance to land in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The BNP had planned to fly Khaleda Zia to London on Friday for advanced treatment in a special air ambulance from Qatar. However, the flight was first delayed due to a “technical issue,” and later the Qatari embassy said the Emir’s special ambulance would not come and promised a replacement aircraft from Germany. BNP has not yet confirmed when the new air ambulance will arrive or when Khaleda Zia will be flown to London. Read more: Khaleda’s London trip to be delayed until she’s fit: Dr Zahid

The medical board treating BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is hopeful that she may recover in Bangladesh with proper treatment, even without being taken abroad. A doctor from the board, wishing anonymity, said on Sunday night (December 07, 2025) that her condition has slightly improved. “Madam is better than before. We are trying our best to treat her here. We believe she can recover with treatment in the country. She has been in more critical condition before and still recovered. It may not be necessary to take her to London,” he said. The physician also said several of Khaleda’s health parameters are improving. “CT scans, ECG and a few other tests were done on Sunday, and the results came back better.” Asked how long she will remain in the CCU, he said it depends on her physical improvement. “Local and foreign doctors are ensuring the best treatment. “Her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman is coordinating treatment at her bedside. She will stay in Bangladesh for several more days.” Read more: No compromise with terrorism, extortion, drugs: Mirza Abbas The doctor also said Khaleda tries to speak at times with her family members. “Her younger brother, his wife and her two daughters-in-law have been constantly by her side.” Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury said on Sunday night that Khaleda will be taken to London as soon as the medical board makes the final decision. “The Qatar government will arrange an air ambulance whenever needed. This is not a problem. We are waiting for the board’s decision. With everyone’s prayers, we hope she will overcome this. If the board decides, she will be taken to London for advanced treatment. The hospital in London will be chosen later,” he said. Last Thursday, the medical board advised that she should be taken to the UK for advanced treatment. Read more: BNP to review NEIR policy if voted to power: Amir Khosru It was announced that, like in January, she would be flown to London on a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. The air ambulance was expected to take her on Friday morning. However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday that the air ambulance could not arrive due to technical issues. As per his announcement, the air ambulance was expected to reach Dhaka on Saturday, but it did not arrive on Sunday either. When it will come remains uncertain. As usual, Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited Evercare Hospital on Sunday afternoon to see Khaleda Zia. Dr Zubaida is also a member of Khaleda Zia’s medical board. She arrived in Dhaka on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Friday morning. She has since been closely monitoring Khaleda’s condition. Even when staying at her Dhanmondi residence, she receives updates on her mother-in-law over the phone, said Atiqur Rahman Rumon of the BNP Media Cell. The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Her treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, which includes doctors from Evercare Hospital as well as specialists from the UK, USA and China. Read more: 10 injured in Gazipur-1 over BNP nomination dispute

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited Evercare Hospital on Saturday afternoon (December 06, 2025) to be by the side of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for the past two weeks. Atiqur Rahman Rumon, a member of the BNP Media Cell, said Zubaida reached the hospital at around 3:38pm after spending some time with her mother at their Dhanmondi residence, Mahbub Bhaban. “She is now in the CCU, staying by Begum Khaleda Zia’s bedside,” Rumon said. He said Zubaida returned to her father’s Dhanmondi home late on Wednesday night, where her mother, Syeda Iqbal Mandu Banu, is also staying. Read more: Zubaida goes to Evercare again at night Zubaida arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning from London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. She went straight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Evercare Hospital to see the BNP chief. Since her arrival, she has attended several meetings with members of Khaleda Zia’s medical board. Although she had been joining earlier meetings virtually, she met the board members in person for the first time on Friday. Rumon said Zubaida has been closely monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition round the clock. “Even when she goes home, she stays in constant touch with the doctors by phone to stay updated about her mother-in-law’s health.” Read more: Air ambulance delay may slightly push back Khaleda Zia’s departure The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Khaleda’s treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Dr Zubaida Rahman — also a member of the medical board — arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her mother-in-law abroad once she is cleared to fly. Read more: Tarique Rahman may return home anytime: Amir Khosru

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday (December 06, 2025) said their party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh anytime as all preparations for his homecoming have been completed. “Who is raising questions about Tarique Rahman not returning? I really don’t understand. Those who want to talk can keep talking. But we know he will come. He will return home very soon,” he said. While talking to reporters at a hotel in Banani, the BNP leader said that arrangements—from Tarique’s residence to his office—have nearly reached completion. “The work on preparing his office is also almost done. The party has already completed all necessary preparations based on his plans for Bangladesh. So, he can come back to Bangladesh at any time,” he added. Read more: Tarique Rahman’s return a personal, family decision: Khosru Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said those who are spreading rumours can continue doing so as there is no harm in it, since Bangladesh always has some people who like to gossip and they can stay busy with that. “I don’t know whether there are any other motives behind such rumours… There is no point in responding to these rumours anymore,” he said. Khosru also expressed the hope that BNP will form the next government with people’s support, and Tarique Rahman will lead the new cabinet as Prime Minister. “We believe that under his leadership, we will take the country forward, fulfilling the expectations and aspirations of the people,” he said. Replying to a question, the BNP leader said he is not aware of whether Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, will enter politics or not. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Asked about Khaleda Zia’s possible travel to London, he said her trip depends on doctors’ approval and the air ambulance is not an issue here. “The main question is whether she is fit for travel. We are waiting for the doctors’ decision.” “It is better for me not to comment on the medical side because these are very technical matters. The doctors who are treating her know everything, so it is better for them to speak about it,” Khosru said. He also said Khaleda’s travel abroad now completely depends on the doctors’ opinion. “They are working on that now and discussing the matter among themselves. So, whenever they make the decision, she will be able to travel, and then she will be taken for treatment.” The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Khaleda’s treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Khaleda’s daughter-in-law, Dr Zubaida Rahman — also a member of the medical board — arrived in Dhaka from London on Friday to accompany her mother-in-law abroad once she is cleared to fly. Read more: Questioning whether Tarique is a voter ‘irrelevant’, says AG

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s departure for London for advanced medical treatment is now expected to be delayed until late Friday morning (December 05, 2025), as the special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar may arrive in Dhaka later than initially scheduled due to technical issues, according to party sources. Besides, Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is scheduled to reach Dhaka around 9:30am Friday to accompany her critically ill mother-in-law during the flight to the UK in the special aircraft. At a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday afternoon (December 04), BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the air ambulance was expected to arrive late at night. He later told UNB that ‘some technical problems’ have arisen which could delay its arrival. Read more: Who’re accompanying Khaleda Zia to London? BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon said Dr Zubaida Rahman is scheduled to fly from London around 6pm local time by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. “The flight is expected to land in Dhaka around 9:30am Bangladesh time,” he said. Once in Dhaka, Rumon said Zubaida will travel back to London in the Qatar air ambulance with the BNP Chairperson. Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board formed for Khaleda’s treatment, has been monitoring her condition continuously through virtual consultations. Khaleda Zia, the 80-year-old three-time former prime minister, has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she remains under close observation. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. BNP sources said Tarique and Zubaida have completed all arrangements for Khaleda’s treatment at London Bridge Hospital in the UK. Mirza Fakhrul said all necessary procedures for Khaleda’s travel have already been completed. “You may already know who will accompany her. A team of doctors will travel with Madam.” The BNP leader said the royal air ambulance is equipped with modern medical facilities. “It has everything available, even an operation theatre.” Earlier in the day, Khaleda’s personal physician and BNP Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain said she will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment. 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. Read more: Zubaida Rahman set to fly to Dhaka to accompany ailing Khaleda to London “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 during the 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 Amir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on 6 May in the same aircraft. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety. Party sources said Khaleda will first be airlifted to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by helicopter and then she will board the air ambulance. Read more: Khaleda Zia to be flown to London: Dr Zahid

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is coming to Dhaka to accompany her critically ill mother-in-law Begum Khaleda during her flight to the UK in a special air ambulance arranged by the Amir of Qatar for advanced treatment. BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon said Zubaida is scheduled to fly from London at around 6pm (London time) by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. “The flight is expected to land in Dhaka around 9:30am Bangladesh time,” he said. Once in Dhaka, Rumon said, Zubaida will travel back to London in a Qatar air ambulance with the BNP Chairperson. Read more: Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board formed for Khaleda’s treatment, has been monitoring her health condition continuously through virtual consultations. Multiple BNP sources also confirmed that Dr Zubaida is returning home to accompany Khaleda. Earlier in the day, Mahdi Amin, an adviser to Tarique Rahman, said in a post on his verified Facebook account that Khaleda has shown some improvement and she will be admitted to a hospital in London. “Dr Zubaida Rahman is at the centre of this treatment process and is coordinating everything from London. She will leave for Bangladesh today and will try to reach Dhaka early tomorrow (Friday) morning so she can accompany the national leader on the highly sophisticated Qatar royal air ambulance to London,” he said. 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 shifted to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she remains under close observation. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. BNP sources said Tarique and Zubaida have completed all arrangements for Khaleda’s treatment at London Bridge Hospital in the UK. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday for advanced treatment by a royal air ambulance provided by the Amir of Qatar. He said all necessary procedures for Khaleda’s travel have already been completed. “You may already know who will accompany her. A team of doctors will travel with Madam.” Read more: Who’re accompanying Khaleda Zia to London? The BNP leader said the royal air ambulance is equipped with very modern facilities. “It has everything available, even an operation theatre.” On 8 January, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on 6 May in the same aircraft. Dr Zubaida accompanied Khaleda during her return home at that time, ending her 17 years of stay in London. Zubaida had stayed in Dhaka for a month before returning to London on 5 June. This time, she is arriving again mainly to accompany the former Prime Minister abroad for better medical care. Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008. Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with top merit and started her career as a government doctor after qualifying in the BCS examination in 1995. She secured first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination. Sheikh Hasina’s government dismissed her from service after she went to London on study leave in 2008. After settling in London, Zubaida completed a postgraduate degree in medicine from Imperial College. Read more: Air ambulance delay may slightly push back Khaleda Zia’s departure

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, spent some time Tuesday with underprivileged children at ‘Suravi’, an organisation founded by her late mother that provides education to poor children. She came to the Suravi office in Dhanmondi around noon and visited the classrooms to talk with the children. Zubaida also visited an exhibition displaying Suravi’s 40 years of activities across the country and artworks by her mother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu. Upon her arrival at the office, Zubaida was warmly welcomed with flowers by teachers, staff members, and the organisation’s executive director Md Abu Taher. Established in 1979, Suravi has been working to establish the rights of marginalised women and children. Over the past 46 years, the organisation has run vocational training, primary healthcare education and services, and social awareness campaigns across the country. BNP disappointed over absence of clear election roadmap The government honoured Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu with the Independence Award for her contributions to social welfare. Zubaida Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in London earlier this month. She returned home with her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Dr Zubaida had left the country during the 1/11 political changeover with her husband Tarique Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

The High Court on Tuesday fixed May 28 for delivering its judgment in the appeal petition filed by Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, challenging her three-year jail sentence in a graft case. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman fixed the date after hearing the petition. Advocate Asif Hasan stood for the Anti-Corruption Commission while Advocate SM Shahjahan, Advocate Kaisar Kamal and Advocate Zakir Bhuiya represented the petitioner.  Tarique Rahman expects most credible election soon under Dr Yunus On May 14, Zubaida filed the petition with the HC seeking to overturn her sentence. The court accepted the petition for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique  to nine years in prison and Zubaida to three years in a case related to amassing wealth illegally and concealing information. On September 22 last year, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette suspending Zubaida’s sentence for one year, following her petition and with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Zubaida had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008, where she lived for nearly 17 years before returning to Bangladesh on May 6 this year. Rizvi accuses advisers of misleading people on BNP’s election demand The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another individual on September 26, 2007, at Dhaka’s Kafrul Police Station for concealing wealth information and amassing illegal assets.    

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday scheduled a hearing for Thursday (May 22) on a petition filed by Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, challenging her three-year jail sentence in a graft case. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman fixed the date for the hearing. Lawyers Kaiser Kamal and Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan appeared in the court on behalf of Zubaida Rahman. Earlier, on May 14, Zubaida filed the petition with the HC seeking to overturn her sentence. The court accepted the petition for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique Rahman to nine years in prison and Zubaida to three years in a case related to amassing wealth illegally and concealing information. Zubaida Rahman granted bail in graft case On September 22 last year, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette suspending Zubaida’s sentence for one year, following her petition and with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Zubaida had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008, where she lived for nearly 17 years before returning to Bangladesh on May 6 this year. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another individual on September 26, 2007, at Dhaka’s Kafrul Police Station for concealing wealth information and amassing illegal assets. Zubaida files petition challenging sentence in graft case The charges were formally pressed the following year.

The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a graft case. The bail will remain in force until the disposal of a petition she filed with the High Court challenging a lower court verdict that sentenced her to three years in jail. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman also stayed the financial penalty imposed on her in the case. Earlier, on Tuesday, Zubaida filed the petition against her jail sentence. The court accepted it for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique to nine years and Zubaida to three years in prison for amassing illegal wealth and concealing information. Zubaida files petition challenging sentence in graft case Following her petition, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette on September 22 last year, suspending her sentence for one year with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Zubaida had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008, and stayed there for around 17 years before returning home on May 6 this year. Her appeal was included in the High Court’s cause list on Tuesday (May 13). The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another person on September 26, 2007, with Kafrul Police Station in the capital for amassing illegal wealth and concealing asset information. The charges were framed the following year.