Khaleda reaches London

Senior Staff Reporter Published: 8 January 2025, 03:45 PM | Updated: 8 January 2025, 04:28 PM

Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman hugs his mother Khaleda Zia as she reaches London on Wednesday. – BNP Media Cell

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia reached London, UK on Wednesday afternoon to take advanced medical treatment there.

The air ambulance carrying her landed at the Heathrow Airport around 2:55pm, BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan told Jago News.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Jayma Rahman, was present at Heathrow Airport to welcome former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia upon her arrival in London.

BNP leaders and activists from various levels gathered at the airport to greet the party chairperson, expressing their support and well-wishes.

Acting Bangladesh High Commissioner Hazrat Ali Khan received Khaleda Zia on behalf of the Bangladesh High Commission in the United Kingdom, marking the official welcome for the former prime minister.

Bangladesh Acing High Commissioner in the UK, Hazrat Ali Khan, receives BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Heathrow Airport in London on Wednesday. – BNP Media Cell

She departed Dhaka on Tuesday night amid an overwhelmed farewell by activists and supporters of her party. Her flight left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45pm on Tuesday.

Khaleda Zia’s motorcade left her Gulshan residence, Firoza, around 8:15pm, and she reached the airport by 10:45pm.

Boarding the aircraft at 11:10pm, she embarked on her journey via a special air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar. The Royal Air Ambulance will make a stopover in Doha before landing at Heathrow Airport in the UK at 10:00am Bangladesh time on Wednesday, January 8.

A significant crowd of BNP leaders, activists, and supporters gathered outside her residence and along the route to the airport to bid her farewell. They waved and wished the former prime minister a speedy recovery and safe return.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was seen entering Khaleda Zia’s residence earlier in the evening, while party leaders and supporters gathered in Gulshan from the afternoon.

Khaleda Zia last visited London on July 16, 2017, for follow-up treatment for her eyes and legs. Upon her return to Bangladesh, she was convicted in several corruption cases and spent a considerable period in jail beginning in early 2018.