[🇧🇩] Monitoring Khaleda Zia's political and health issues

[Saif]

Khaleda acquitted in 3 cases in Cumilla over 2015 arson

Cases were considered politically motivated, says public prosecutor

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Khaleda acquitted in 3 cases in Cumilla over 2015 arson

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been acquitted in three cases filed over arson, sabotage, and murder incidents on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Cumilla's Chauddagram upazila in 2015.

The cases stemmed from petrol bomb attacks and the torching of a covered van, during which multiple people were killed.

Cumilla District Public Prosecutor (PP) Md Kaimul Haque Rinku confirmed the development to the media today.

He said all the remaining accused in the cases have also been discharged following an application to withdraw politically motivated cases filed by the then ruling government.

According to PP Rinku, on February 3, 2015, eight passengers were killed in a petrol bomb attack on a bus in the Jagmohanpur area of Chauddagram.

In connection with the incident, two separate cases, one under the Penal Code for murder and another under the Explosives Act, were filed by then Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge of Nuruzzaman Howlader.

A total of 78 individuals, including Khaleda Zia, were named in the charge sheets.

Judge Shafiqul Islam, presiding over the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-2, acquitted Khaleda Zia as her involvement could not be substantiated in hearings related to two of the cases. At the time of the incident,

In a separate case filed over a sabotage incident on January 25, 2015, involving the burning of a covered van in the Haidarpar area of Chauddagram, Khaleda Zia and 32 others were initially accused.

Ten more individuals were later named in the charge sheet submitted to the court.

This case, too, was filed by SI Nuruzzaman Howlader.

Judge Afroza Shyuli of the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-1 acquitted Khaleda Zia in this case as well, citing lack of evidence linking her to the incident.

"These three cases were considered politically motivated and were filed during the previous Awami League government. Based on that assessment, the Ministry of Law approved the withdrawal of the cases," said PP Kaimul Haque Rinku.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for medical check-up

She reached the hospital around 1:48am after leaving her Gulshan residence “Firoza” at 1:18am

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Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for medical check-up

File photo

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the capital early today for a medical check-up.

She reached the hospital around 1:48am after leaving her Gulshan residence "Firoza" at 1:18am, BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told The Daily Star.

Responding to a query, Sayrul said, "We hope she will return home after the urgent tests are completed."

Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, her personal physician and a member of the BNP standing committee, said Khaleda visited the hospital for a check-up as advised by her medical board.

The BNP chief last visited the same hospital on June 19 this year for a check-up.

Khaleda returned home on May 6 after four months in London, where she received advanced treatment at a hospital and stayed at the residence of her son and BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Since her return, she has been under the supervision of a medical board led by Evercare specialist Prof Dr Shahabuddin Talukder.

Prior to her London trip, she last visited Evercare Hospital on September 12 last year.

The 79-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from multiple health complications for several years. She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board consisting of specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors.​

 

[Saif]

Why does BNP still rely on Khaleda Zia?

In its preliminary list of candidates for 236 constituencies in the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP has created the biggest surprise by reserving three seats for its chairperson, Khaleda Zia. The three constituencies are Feni-1, Bogura-7, and Dinajpur-3. According to the election...

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Why does BNP still rely on Khaleda Zia?

Sohrab Hassan
Journalist and Poet
Published: 12 Nov 2025, 08: 12

In its preliminary list of candidates for 236 constituencies in the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP has created the biggest surprise by reserving three seats for its chairperson, Khaleda Zia. The three constituencies are Feni-1, Bogura-7, and Dinajpur-3.

According to the election commission’s law, a person may contest in a maximum of three constituencies; previously, the limit was five. During Ershad’s rule, Communist Party General Secretary Mohammad Farhad proposed the “150+150 formula” between the Awami League and the BNP to establish political understanding between their two leaders. Following that, the election commission limited the number of constituencies to three.

From 1991 to 2008, Khaleda Zia contested in several constituencies and won all of them by large margins — she has never lost an election, a rare record in Bangladesh’s politics. Her political rival, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, lost two constituencies in the 1991 election and one in 1996. Hussain Muhammad Ershad, though he won five constituencies from jail in 1991, lost one in 2014.

After being imprisoned in 2018 during the Awami League government in a corruption case, Khaleda Zia has remained largely inactive in politics. The BNP maintains that the case was politically motivated and baseless. Before her imprisonment, she appointed her elder son and senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman as the acting chairman of the party.

Tarique went into exile during the army-backed caretaker government in 2008 and has since been running the party from London, regularly meeting party leaders and activists online and issuing directives. He also played a key role in finalising the list of candidates. He is expected to return to Bangladesh next month.

Khaleda Zia is currently in poor health and not active in politics. Over the past seven years of the Awami League government, she spent time alternately in prison, hospital, or under house arrest. Despite repeated appeals from the BNP to allow her to travel abroad for medical treatment, the government denied the request. The mass uprising of 2024 led to the fall of the Awami League government, after which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India. On 8 August last year, following the formation of a new government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Khaleda Zia was released from prison, and all charges against her were dropped.

Under these circumstances, many believed Khaleda Zia would no longer contest in elections. However, the BNP’s preliminary list once again includes her name for the same three constituencies as before. Given her current health condition, there are doubts about whether she will be able to participate in election campaigns herself. Still, the party continues to place its trust in her leadership.

The main reason is Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising image, both within and outside her party. It cannot be said that she was entirely successful as head of government, but her courageous role in the anti-autocracy and pro-democracy movements is widely acknowledged. In our deeply antagonistic political culture, leaders often attack one another verbally, sometimes even maligning deceased leaders. Witnessing this, Khaleda Zia, while in opposition, once proposed in Parliament that national leaders should not be unnecessarily subjected to personal attacks. The ruling party did not accept the proposal. Since 2014, she has remained outside Parliament altogether.

During the Awami League government’s tenure, the way those in power insulted Khaleda Zia and evicted her from her residence only increased public sympathy and respect for her. No one viewed the mockery of a sick woman kindly.

In countries like ours, it is difficult to assess a leader’s popularity while they are in power, as party loyalists constantly sing their praises — not to mention the state-controlled propaganda machinery. True popularity can only be measured when a leader is in opposition. Khaleda Zia, I believe, has passed that test.

From writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad’s book One–Eleven: 2007–2008, we learn that policymakers of the then interim government offered both major party leaders a safe exit from politics. Khaleda Zia refused the offer; her rival accepted it. That, too, enhanced her popularity.

Before every election, political parties issue grand manifestos, vowing to lead the country to prosperity. The public has little faith in such promises. Even so, they cast their votes based on their trust in leaders and symbols.
This time, the BNP leadership is largely relying on Khaleda Zia’s image to navigate the electoral waters. They believe that even if she cannot personally campaign, her name and participation alone will strengthen the party’s position. Even BNP’s harshest critics regard her with respect.

On 4 November, Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, said at a press conference, “We will not field any candidate in Khaleda Zia’s constituency. We welcome her candidacy. Her uncompromising and fearless leadership has strengthened democracy in Bangladesh.” The Gono Odhikar Parishad has also announced that it will not field a candidate in her constituency. Although such gestures are not entirely consistent with the principles of multiparty democracy, they carry symbolic value as marks of respect toward a leader.

Reactions have already emerged in various places over the BNP’s candidate list. In some areas, violent incidents have occurred, including road blockades and arson. The BNP leadership had hoped to manage the situation easily, but it is proving more difficult than expected. In the end, the BNP leadership may still view Khaleda Zia as a “saviour.” Even candidates who feel deprived may ignore the opinions of others, but they are unlikely to disregard her advice.

Many BNP leaders argue that minor issues are normal in a large party. However, the unrest is not limited to just a few constituencies. Questions about nominations in several areas are not unreasonable. On what basis did the BNP finalise the list? Did they consult with grassroots leaders and activists? One deprived aspirant cited a party organisational leader saying, “I wasn’t even called to discussions because I am considered part of the opposing faction.”

There are also allegations that nominations were given to leaders accused of land-grabbing and extortion, while veteran leaders in several constituencies were left out. Activists are particularly unhappy about the exclusion of those who consistently opposed the Awami League both inside and outside Parliament and spoke out on television talk shows.
By awarding Khaleda Zia nominations in three constituencies, the BNP has demonstrated that even if she remains politically inactive, she continues to be highly influential in the minds of voters. Grassroots leaders and activists believe that her name alone will advance the party, and her image will secure victory.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia has developed infection in heart and lungs: Doctors

Currently under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital

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Khaleda Zia has developed infection in heart and lungs: Doctors
Currently under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has developed infections in both her heart and lungs and is now under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital, doctors said.

Speaking to reporters, Professor Dr FM Siddiqui, a member of the medical board overseeing her treatment, said the former prime minister had been falling ill frequently over the past few months, and several complications appeared simultaneously on Sunday.

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"She has developed a chest infection," he told journalists in front of the hospital last night.

Dr Siddiqui said Khaleda already had long-standing heart complications.

She has a permanent pacemaker, previously underwent stenting, and suffers from mitral stenosis.

"Because of these conditions, the chest infection affected both her heart and lungs together, causing severe respiratory distress. That is why we brought her here quickly," Dr Siddiqui said.

After she arrived at the hospital, doctors carried out urgent tests.

Dr Siddiqui said, "We immediately performed all the necessary examinations, and based on the initial reports the entire medical board sat together. We have started antibiotics and provided all emergency treatment required."

He added that more test results are expected within 24 hours.

"She is under our intensive monitoring, and the next 12 hours are very important. She is receiving the highest level of care and remains in a cabin under constant observation," he said.

Khaleda Zia was admitted around 8:00 pm last night and is under the supervision of Professor Shahabuddin Talukder.

Following her admission, the medical board held a meeting chaired by Professor Talukder.

The meeting was attended by Professor FS Siddiqui, Dr Zafar Iqbal, Dr Ziaul Haque, Dr Mamun Ahmed, retired Brig Gen Saiful Islam, and joined virtually by Dr Zubaida Rahman from London and several specialists from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.

Professor Siddiqui said her treatment has begun as per the board's unanimous decision.

Talking to the reporters, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said the board is taking all necessary measures with maximum caution.

"We want to assure everyone that proper steps have been taken. We do not consider the situation extremely alarming," he said.

He added that the medical board will meet again after 12 hours.

"Depending on her condition, the board will decide whether any changes in treatment are needed."

Zahid said Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman have been maintaining constant communication from London about Khaleda Zia's condition since early morning.

Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of Khaleda's late son Arafat Rahman Koko, is also present at the hospital.

Other family members are regularly checking on her treatment, he added.

Zahid said Khaleda Zia has asked the nation to pray for her recovery.

The 79-year-old former prime minister has long suffered from arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, lung complications, eye problems and other chronic conditions.

She travelled to London on January 7 for advanced treatment and returned to Dhaka on May 6 after 117 days.​

 

[Saif]

Khaleda Zia under close observation at hospital

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia is under intensive observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. A source from her medical team said she is experiencing breathing difficulties due to an infection spreading to her heart and lungs, prompting doctors to keep her under close...

en.prothomalo.com

Khaleda Zia under close observation at hospital
Special Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 24 Nov 2025, 20: 56

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia File photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia is under intensive observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

A source from her medical team said she is experiencing breathing difficulties due to an infection spreading to her heart and lungs, prompting the physicians to keep her under close monitoring.

The party has requested the nation to pray for her speedy recovery.

She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on an emergency basis at 8:00 pm on Sunday after a sudden onset of breathing problems. Her treatment is being supervised by specialist professor Shahabuddin Talukdar.

Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of the medical board treating Khaleda Zia, told journalists on Sunday, “She has a chest infection. She had pre-existing heart issues. The infection has now spread to her heart and lungs, causing severe breathing difficulties. Upon admission, immediate tests were carried out and she was given antibiotics and other necessary medicines.”

Another member of the medical board, speaking to Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity, said the board convened again today to conduct further tests. Physicians have decided to keep Khaleda Zia under intensive observation for the next 24 hours.

According to BNP sources, Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and his wife Zubaida Rahman in London are keeping a constant watch on her health. In Dhaka, her younger son, the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s widow, Syeda Shamila Rahman, is staying by her side.

Nearly 80-year-old Khaleda Zia has been suffering from multiple health conditions for years, including liver cirrhosis, kidney complications, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

On 7 January, she travelled to London for advanced treatment. After staying there for 117 days, she returned to Bangladesh on 6 May. Since then, she has had to be admitted to hospital periodically due to various complications.​