Khaleda reaches Heathrow Airport for homecoming

NN Online:

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia reached London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday to return home via a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, nearly four months after receiving advanced treatment in the UK.

Her personal physician, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, said Khaleda left the residence of her elder son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at around 2:00 pm (GMT) and arrived at the airport within 40 minutes. Tarique personally drove her to the airport and remained there to see her off.

Khaleda sat beside her son in the rear seat, while her daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman and granddaughter were seated in the back. Several hundred BNP UK Chapter leaders and activists gathered near the airport to bid her farewell. As supporters shouted slogans, Khaleda waved from her car in response.

Dr. Zahid, who is accompanying her on the journey, said Khaleda is scheduled to depart Heathrow at 4:10 pm (9:10 pm BST) aboard the Qatar-provided air ambulance. The flight is expected to land at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 2:30 am local time.

Khaleda is accompanied by her daughters-in-law—Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko—alongside her medical team and other aides.

“She is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10:00 am Tuesday,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB. He called on party supporters to avoid causing traffic disruptions while welcoming her, noting that SSC exams are scheduled that day.

Fakhrul also urged law enforcement and party workers to ensure no public inconvenience arises during the reception. He requested well-wishers to stand on footpaths along the Kakoli route, not on the road, and to wave national and party flags instead of gathering in large groups.

Khaleda Zia left for London on January 8 in the same air ambulance sent by the Qatari Emir. Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic under the care of Professors Patrick Kennedy and Jennifer Cross for 17 days. Since January 25, she has been under continued medical supervision at Tarique Rahman’s residence.

Meanwhile, her Gulshan residence ‘Firoza’, located at House 1, Road 80, has been fully prepared to welcome her back.