Ailing former prime minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia returned home from London on Tuesday after four months of medical treatment. Her party leaders are hopeful that her presence will help in the restoration of democracy in the country ruled by an interim government.
Zia, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and three-time former prime minister, went to London on January 8 for advanced medical care and was admitted to The London Clinic. After being discharged, she moved to her eldest son Tarique Rahman’s home, where she has been receiving treatment.
A Qatari royal air ambulance carrying the 79-year-old leader and her entourage from London landed at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where Zia was greeted by senior BNP leaders.
Her two daughters-in-law - Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman and the late Arafat Rahman Coco’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman - accompanied her.
Zia smiled and waved from her wheelchair as thousands of supporters, many draped in Bangladesh and BNP flags and some carrying placards with welcome messages, lined the streets leading to her residence at Dhaka’s Gulshan area. BNP supporters began assembling along both sides of the nearly 10-kilometre route since early morning.
Zia has long suffered from liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, heart problems, diabetes, and arthritis.
Talking to reporters at the airport, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed the hope that Zia's return would facilitate the restoration and advancement of democracy in the country.
"She went abroad for treatment after years of suffering under fascist oppression. With the fall of fascism, she was finally able to receive proper medical care. After nearly four months of treatment, she is returning home today. It's a matter of great joy for us and the people,” Fakhrul told reporters, referring to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime in August last year.
“In the current situation of the country, Zia's presence and homecoming are a very important matter for people. We believe our leader’s presence and return will make it easier to restore democracy,” he said.
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