BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday, May 5, at 7:45 pm Bangladesh time, en route to Dhaka after a 117-day medical stay, confirmed Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, her physician and BNP standing committee member, via media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan.
Khaleda, 79, will board a Qatar royal air ambulance, arranged by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at 4:10 pm Greenwich time for Dhaka. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced her expected arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday, May 6, at 10 am, with preparations underway for a grand welcome.
Accompanying Khaleda are her daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman, returning after 17 years abroad since September 2008, and Syeda Shamila Rahman.
Khaleda departed Dhaka on January 7 for advanced treatment, landing in London on January 8. After 17 days at the London Clinic, she continued care at her son Tarique Rahman’s residence. Tarique drove her to Heathrow, per BNP’s media cell.