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Khaleda Zia, the leader of Bangladesh’s main opposition party, served as prime minister three times. — Reuters
– Son Tarique Rahman in London calls on the nation to pray.
– BNP leaders and supporters gather at a Dhaka hospital for updates.
– Interim leader Yunus emphasizes that Zia’s recovery is crucial for the country.
Dhaka: Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has experienced a decline in health since her hospital admission, leading her family and party members to appeal for prayers for her quick recovery on Saturday.
Zia, 80, was hospitalized on November 23 with lung infection symptoms and is currently in intensive care, according to party sources.
Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) shared late Friday that “doctors have indicated her condition is very critical.”
Many senior BNP officials and eager supporters visited the hospital on Saturday to get updates about her health.
According to The Daily Star, Zia suffers from multiple health issues, including heart problems, liver and kidney conditions, diabetes, lung issues, arthritis, and eye ailments.
She has a permanent pacemaker and has previously undergone heart stenting procedures.
Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, living in London since 2008, urged the people of Bangladesh to pray for her recovery via social media on Saturday.
“We sincerely thank everyone for their prayers and love for the highly respected Begum Khaleda Zia,” Rahman, 60, stated.
He explained that he couldn’t return to Bangladesh due to circumstances beyond his control.
“As any child would, I deeply wish to be with my mother during this crisis. Nonetheless, the decision to return home isn’t straightforward and isn’t solely mine,” he added.
Zia, who held the office of prime minister three times, was imprisoned for corruption in 2018 during Sheikh Hasina’s government, which also prevented her from traveling abroad for medical care.
She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was ousted.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus issued a statement, saying, “In this transitional period towards democracy, Khaleda Zia remains a major source of inspiration for the nation. Her recovery is vital for our country.”
Despite her health challenges, Zia has pledged to campaign ahead of upcoming elections expected in February 2026, where BNP is widely considered a leading contender.
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