United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is expected to return home soon. Salahuddin made the remarks while talking to reporters when asked about the possible date of Tarique Rahman’s return, shortly after attending a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee. He said the committee’s regular meeting focused on election strategies and plans for campaign activities. Growing concerns over Khaleda’s health; Chinese team joins medial efforts Asked whether Tarique Rahman’s return was included in the meeting agenda, Salahuddin replied, “He will return soon, InshaAllah.” He also said that Dr AZM Zahid will brief the media on all matters related to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health. The meeting, held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, began around 8:30pm and continued until 11pm. 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. Read more: No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia remains in a critical state as her health deteriorated on Sunday night (November 30), prompting the involvement of a specialised Chinese medical team to assist in her care. 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. Meanwhile, a five-member team of Chinese specialists arrived in Dhaka on Monday to support the ongoing treatment. ‘Don’t fall for misinformation’, Rizvi alerts about Khaleda’s health status The delegation held discussions with the hospital’s medical board, reviewing Khaleda Zia’s condition and consulting with local doctors on necessary medical measures. The main group of specialists is expected to arrive later, depending on her condition, said Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, head of the hospital’s medical board and cardiologist. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed that Khaleda Zia continues to be in critical condition, with local and foreign doctors coordinating her care. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi urged all to disregard any rumours or misleading statements about her health, noting that she remains under intensive treatment at Evercare Hospital. Chinese medical experts join Khaled’s treatment efforts Speaking at a prayer event in Mohammadpur on Monday, Rizvi described Khaleda Zia as a ‘beloved figure of the nation,’ recalling her personal suffering, including the loss of her son while in captivity and enduring years of oppression. “Despite all conspiracies and attempts to remove her from her own country, she remained steadfast. Today, the entire nation is praying for her,” he said. Earlier, BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan also confirmed that Khaleda Zia had been placed on ventilation support after her condition took a critical turn. The party has announced that all official updates regarding her health will be communicated exclusively by Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP National Standing Committee. The party has appealed to the nation to pray for her recovery and to avoid spreading unverified information. No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser Meanwhile, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul commented on the possible return of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, saying there is no legal barrier preventing him from coming back to Bangladesh. He emphasised that the decision rests with Tarique Rahman, noting the deeply personal nature of the situation, “We must understand that this is a mother-son relationship. He knows best when to come and when to take any action.”

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that actress Pori Moni’s issue was brought to the limelight to divert people’s attention to a different direction from Khaleda Zia’s illness and the government’s failure to tackle the Covid situation. Speaking at a roundtable discussion, he also questioned the seven-day remand of businessman Nasir U Mahmud in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act. Read: Pori Moni buoyed by police work, calls it 'magic' “The main job of the current government is to deceive people and mislead them. Our journalist brothers are now very active over the Pori Moni issue. Who is Pori Moni? Can’t we understand it’s again a matter of diversion and misleading people?” the BNP leader said. He said, “When there’re talks over Khaleda Zia’s illness and her release, the country’s democratic situation and the Health Ministry’s extreme failure, and when the Covid cases keep surging, this issue has been brought to the forefront.” Fakhrul said it is only possible for Awami League to deceive people and play games with them. “They’re suppressing the entire nation resorting to this tactic.” BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the shutdown of all newspapers except four state-run ones on 16 June 1975. On Monday, Nasiruddin Mahmud, former president of Uttara Club Limited, and four others were arrested from a Uttara flat in the capital following a case filed over his reported attempt to rape and kill actress Pori Moni. Read: Another case filed against Tuhin Siddiqui Omi Pori Moni, in her verified Facebook page, sought justice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "I’ve been physically assaulted and they even attempted to rape and kill me. I want justice," she stated in her post.   Meanwhile, a Dhaka court placed Nasir and another co-accused Tuhin Siddique Omi on seven-day remand each in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act. Fakhrul said people have no security in the country as law enforcers are suddenly picking up people in different cases, including false ones. “I don’t know how much of this incident (Pori Moni’s) is true and false. But seeing yesterday’s incident, I’ve got an impression that everything is now possible in this country. The case was filed for attempting to rape and kill. But he (Nasir) was remanded in a narcotics case,” he said. Read: Pori Moni case: Police press drug-related charges against Nasir, four others Fakhrul also said he could not understand the reason behind placing businessman Nasir on the remand in the narcotic case when he does not own the house from where the liquor and drugs were recovered.      “Many questions have now arisen. Whether the powerful people and ruling party can do whatever they want. Whether the administration can pick up any one as per their whims and can defame and ruin his/her social dignity and family reputation in this way,” he questioned.