United News of Bangladesh

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

BNP on Thursday (December 04) placed three new election-related proposals before the Election Commission (EC) and said it has no objection to the EC announcing the election schedule in time. A three-member BNP delegation led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. Talking to reporters after the nearly 90-minute meeting, Nazrul said BNP is not in favour the deferment of the national election unless there are unavoidable circumstances. “Therefore, BNP has no objection if the EC declares the poll schedule within its stipulated timeline.” BNP announces 36 more possible candidates for national election  Asked whether Khaleda Zia’s illness might affect the election, Nazrul said, “We expect she will recover and return to us soon, and be able to participate in election-related activities.” Regarding Tarique Rahman’s voter status, he said, “He is a Bangladeshi citizen. There is no barrier to him becoming a voter. The Commission can enrol him anytime it wishes.” Nazrul said the BNP proposed increasing the number of polling booths, marking places, and ballot seals for the upcoming 13th national election. “We want every voter in the country to have the opportunity to cast their vote. The number of voters has increased significantly compared to the previous election, so we made this proposal. This time, a national referendum will be held alongside the parliamentary election, which will add additional pressure. The Commission will give its decision on Sunday,” he said. BNP also urged the EC to allow expatriate Bangladeshis without National ID cards to register as voters using their passports. “If needed, the Commission can verify passports. Many expatriates do not have NIDs. They should be given the opportunity to register with their passports,” Nazrul noted. Khaleda led from the streets, not from palaces: Moyeen Khan To ensure transparency in the election, BNP reiterated its objection to printing ballot papers at any non-government institution. “At present, ballot papers are printed at three government facilities. BNP insists that no private institution be given this responsibility,” he said. The other members of the BNP delegation were Ismail Jabiuallah, member of the party’s EC-related committee and former secretary, and Md Zakaria, former election commissioner and BNP EC-related committee member. BNP to shift investment focus from megaprojects to grassroots: Amir Khosru

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 and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press 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. Qatar air ambulance set to fly Khaleda to London: BNP Adviser Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of 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,” he added. Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery. BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad. All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance. The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. Prayers nationwide on Friday for Khaleda Zia’s recovery: Rizvi 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.

Prayers and special munajat seeking the recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be held in every mosque across the country on Friday (December 05, 2025), said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. “Arrangements have been made at all mosques nationwide to pray for her swift recovery. The people of other faiths will also offer prayers for her healing at their respective places of worship,” he told a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Thursday morning (December 04, 2025). Read more: Prof Yunus visits Evercare Hospital to enquire about Khaleda’s health Rizvi said Khaleda Zia has been enduring illness amid various forms of repression, and he urged people across the country to pray for her wellbeing. He also announced that the BNP’s “Desh Garar Karmasuchi” (Nation-Building Programme) will begin on December 7, with the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joining virtually. Speaking about Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, Rizvi said, “He is deeply concerned about Khaleda Zia’s treatment. As the eldest son of the family and a national leader eagerly awaited by the people, he will make a well-considered decision to return at the right time.” Updating on Khaleda Zia’s health, he said her condition remains unchanged and she is still in a critical state, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital under a medical board. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple health complications. Read more: Govt urges nationwide special prayers for Khaleda Zia on Friday Her condition deteriorated on November 27, prompting doctors to transfer her to the CCU, where she continues to receive intensive treatment.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition, a senior official at the Chief Adviser’s Office told UNB. Read more: Army, BAF helicopters to conduct trial landing, takeoff near Evercare Hospital Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation. The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman accompanied the Chief Adviser during the visit.

The Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will conduct trial landing and takeoff of helicopters on two open fields near Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday (December 4). The flight landing and takeoff will take place following the security protocol of the Special Security Force (SSF), according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Read more: Govt declares Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ Authorities have requested all to avoid spreading any rumour or confusion regarding the operation. Special Security Force (SSF) protection has been deployed for former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, after she was declared a ‘very very important person’ (VVIP). Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

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 Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday (December 02) said that the return of Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is entirely a ‘personal and family matter’. Talking to reporters after an event titled ‘Future Bangladesh Challenges 2025’ at a city hotel, Khosru said the ongoing discussion surrounding Tarique Rahman’s possible return to Bangladesh would have no negative impact on the upcoming national election. In response to a question on whether a travel pass could facilitate Tarique Rahman’s return, Khosru said he was not aware of any such process. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi “BNP does politics by relying on people’s trust. Given the chance, people will once again prove that BNP still holds their confidence,” he added. The issue of Tarique Rahman’s return has gained renewed attention as his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 with multiple health complications. She was moved to the CCU on November 27 after her condition deteriorated. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Earlier in the day, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the medical board, comprising local and foreign specialists, confirmed that Khaleda Zia is responding to ongoing treatment and that there is a possibility she may recover this time. During the 1/11 caretaker government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been residing in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare