Khaleda Zia Returns Home After Four Months in London

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia returned to her residence in Dhaka's upscale Gulshan area on Monday, marking the end of a nearly four-month medical stay in the United Kingdom. Her return, greeted with emotional fervour by her supporters, is being viewed by party leaders as a significant moment in the country’s political landscape.Begum Zia, aged 78, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42am aboard a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. She had flown out of London’s Heathrow Airport the previous day (5 May), following an extended period of treatment under the supervision of leading British medical professionals.As the air ambulance touched down in Dhaka, thousands of BNP supporters began lining both sides of the 10-kilometre route from the airport to her residence, “Firoza”, in Gulshan. Holding national and party flags, they braved the summer heat for hours in anticipation of seeing their leader. Senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were present at the airport to receive her.A vehicle carrying Khaleda seated in the front seat, flanked in the back by her daughters-in-law — Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, wife of the late Arafat Rahman Koko — departed the airport around 11:15am. The motorcade reached “Firoza” at approximately 1:25pm amid tight security.This marks Dr Zubaida Rahman’s first return to Bangladesh in 17 years, as she and her family have been living in London since 2008. Her daughter Zaima Rahman, who remains in London, did not accompany them.Khaleda’s return home was accompanied by a comprehensive security operation. Law enforcement personnel, including members of the armed forces and the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF), were deployed to ensure a secure environment. Access to the road in front of her Gulshan residence was restricted to pedestrians only, and traffic was diverted.The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had earlier issued traffic advisories, warning of potential congestion in the Gulshan-Banani area due to the public reception. Special parking arrangements were made for journalists and guests, and party leaders urged their followers to remain disciplined and avoid obstructing roads, particularly in light of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations scheduled for Tuesday.Inside the residence, preparations had been in full swing. Utilities including electricity, gas, and water were inspected and restored. The house, surrounded by high walls, had been thoroughly cleaned. Flower pots were placed in the garden, and the entrance was reinforced with a newly secured security room, manned round-the-clock by the CSF and law enforcement officers.Begum Khaleda Zia, who has served as the country’s prime minister three times, suffers from a host of serious health conditions, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney complications, lung and heart issues, eye problems, and post-COVID aftereffects.She departed for London on 8 January aboard the specially equipped Qatari royal air ambulance. Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, one of the UK’s top private hospitals, where she was under the care of noted specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for over two weeks.After her discharge on 25 January, Khaleda continued her treatment and recovery at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chairman of the BNP, in London. She remained under the care of her medical team throughout.Speaking to the media at the airport, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Khaleda Zia’s return with optimism and political significance. “After enduring years of oppression, Begum Zia finally received the medical attention she deserved. Her return home is not just a personal relief but also a moment of immense inspiration for our party and for democracy in Bangladesh,” he said.Fakhrul hinted that her return could have broader implications for the party’s organisational strength and political direction in the coming months.Begum Zia’s return comes at a time of renewed tensions between the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP, which boycotted the January 2024 general elections. BNP leaders have long alleged that the government had previously obstructed Khaleda’s access to adequate medical care, keeping her under virtual house arrest or denying her permission to travel abroad for treatment.Her departure in January was made possible after months of diplomatic efforts and humanitarian appeals, culminating in the Qatari Emir sending a specially equipped air ambulance.While Khaleda Zia has not been politically active in recent years due to her ailing health, her symbolic stature remains central to BNP's identity and organisational unity. Her presence in Dhaka is expected to boost the morale of party workers and potentially influence BNP's strategy in the lead-up to future political campaigns or national movements.Despite the fanfare outside, the mood inside “Firoza” was kept calm and quiet to facilitate her rest. According to BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan, all rooms had been sanitised and arranged to ensure a peaceful environment for Khaleda’s recovery.He said, “We’ve taken all measures to make her feel comfortable and safe. Medical staff will continue to monitor her health around the clock.”Begum Khaleda Zia’s return, after months of intensive treatment abroad, marks a significant moment for the BNP and its supporters. Though she remains in fragile health, her homecoming has stirred political enthusiasm and rekindled hope within her party.How involved she will be in BNP’s future political activities remains uncertain, but her presence in Dhaka is expected to have a unifying effect on the party’s rank and file.