Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia left London for Dhaka on Monday after four months of advanced medical treatment.
BNP media cell confirmed that a Bangladesh- bound special air ambulance carrying the party chairperson took off from Heathrow Airport on Monday at about 9:35pm Bangladesh time.
She is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at about 11:30am.
BNP leaders said that Khaleda was returning to Bangladesh using the Quatar Emir provided special air ambulance, which had transported her to London on January 8.
Khaleda Zia is accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, and Syeda Shamila Rahman, widow of Arafat Rahman.
The BNP chairperson left for London on January 8. She, upon her arrival, was admitted to the London Clinic under the care of specialist doctors Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross.
She received treatment for 17 consecutive days at the clinic. From January 25 onwards, she continued her recovery at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters that Khaleda Zia鈥檚 health condition was now much better.
He said that the BNP chairperson would arrive in the country on Tuesday morning at about 10:30am on the royal air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
鈥業n the same morning, students will also be heading out for their SSC examination centres. Given this situation, I urge our party leaders and activists not to step onto the roads but to remain on the footpaths along the route from the airport to Gulshan,鈥� Fakhrul said.
He urged law enforcement agencies to keep people鈥檚 movement smooth and maintain safety.
BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said that all preparations were completed at Khaleda鈥檚 Gulshan home, 鈥楩iroza,鈥� ahead of her return.
Khaleda, 79, has been suffering from several health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and kidney problems.
BNP had long demanded that Khaleda be allowed to receive medical treatment abroad, but the then Awami League regime consistently turned down the requests, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases.
However, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024, all cases against Khaleda Zia were dismissed through an executive order, paving the way for her to travel abroad for treatment.
BNP has announced plans for an elaborate and coordinated reception to welcome the party chairperson in Dhaka.
Thousands of leaders, activists, and supporters from across the city are expected to line the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to her Gulshan residence in a show of loyalty and solidarity.
At the same time, Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued a public notice ahead of the BNP chairperson鈥檚 return and urged people to avoid standing on the main roads between the airport, Banani, and Gulshan, instead using the footpaths.
Police instructed travellers to avoid the Gulshan-Uttara road via Banani and to use alternative routes, the elevated expressway, cantonment roads, or rail services.
CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles will be allowed on the elevated expressway between 7:00am and 1:00pm on Tuesday, the notice said.
The DMP also advised Hajj pilgrims, outbound international travellers, and SSC examination candidates to allow extra time when heading to the airport or examination centres.
Supporters welcoming Khaleda are strictly prohibited from carrying bags, sticks, or joining the motorcade with vehicles or motorcycles, and motorcycles are not permitted to move through the crowds.
According to the BNP鈥檚 coordination plan, Dhaka North City BNP will cover the airport-to-La Meridian stretch, Chhatra Dal from La Meridian to Khilkhet, and Juba Dal up to Hotel Radisson.
Dhaka South City BNP will line up to Army Stadium, followed by Swechchhasebok Dal, Krishak Dal, Sramik Dal, Olama Dal, Tati Dal, JASAS, Muktijoddha Dal, and Mahila Dal, covering segments up to Gulshan Avenue.
District leaders have been instructed to position themselves along the route.
The BNP has firmly instructed supporters to avoid crowding in front of Khaleda Zia鈥檚 Gulshan home and to stand peacefully with the party and national flags, ensuring a disciplined and orderly programme.
