Staff Reporter :
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Emir of Qatar for providing a royal air ambulance and logistical support to facilitate the transport of his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, to London for advanced medical care.
“I extend my deepest thanks to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, for his kind gesture in offering transportation and logistics for my mother, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia,” Tarique stated in a post on his verified Facebook page early Friday.
On behalf of his family and the people of Bangladesh, Tarique conveyed his appreciation for the Emir’s support, adding, “We aspire to strengthen the multifaceted relationship between Bangladesh and Qatar.”
Earlier, on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed similar gratitude to the governments of Qatar and the UK for their assistance in Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
“We are deeply thankful to the Qatari government for providing the air ambulance free of charge to take Khaleda Zia to London.
Our thanks also go to the British government for facilitating her medical treatment there,” Fakhrul said while unveiling the book *Rajbandir Jabanbandi* at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office. The book documents court depositions by Khaleda Zia in what the BNP describes as ‘fabricated’ cases.
He further mentioned that Khaleda flew to London with state honors after being released, receiving an emotional send-off from thousands of supporters. No obstacles were faced during her journey to London.
Khaleda Zia was admitted to The London Clinic in the UK on Wednesday for specialized treatment. She had departed Dhaka for London on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar.
At Heathrow Airport, her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, along with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, warmly received her. Doctors had long advocated for Khaleda’s overseas treatment since her diagnosis with liver cirrhosis in late 2021.
However, the Awami League government had repeatedly denied her permission to travel for medical care, citing legal constraints related to her convictions in two cases.
On August 6, 2024, the day following the fall of the Awami League government, President Mohammed Shahabuddin issued an order granting Khaleda Zia full freedom, enabling her to seek treatment abroad.
A three-time former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple health challenges, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes.
