- UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution |
- UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution |
- Sudan war becomes more deadly: Ethnically motivated attacks up |
- Dhaka's RMG exports reach $38.48 bn in 2024: New markets up |
- Bangladesh’s GDP Growth to Decline to 4.1% in FY25: WB |
Khaleda Zia's First Public Appearance in 6 Years
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made her first public appearance at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja on Thursday, marking her first participation in a state function in six years. This appearance follows her imprisonment in February 2018. The last time she attended the Armed Forces Day event was in 2012, a decade ago.
The 79-year-old former Prime Minister was accompanied by her daughter-in-law, the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko. She left her residence in Gulshan around 3:30 p.m. and arrived at the reception venue around 3:45 p.m.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday evening, the Armed Forces Division of the Chief Advisor’s Office extended the invitation to Khaleda Zia to attend the reception. The invitation was formally handed over by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim and Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General ASM Kamrul Ahsan.
In addition to Khaleda Zia, 26 other senior BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and other high-ranking members, were also invited to the event.
The reception, celebrating Armed Forces Day, was attended by Chief Advisor Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who served as the chief guest. The day commemorates the establishment of Bangladesh’s army, navy, and air force during the 1971 Liberation War.
Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple serious health conditions, including liver cirrhosis, heart, lung, kidney, and eye problems. Since her conditional release, she has received treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka under the supervision of a medical board led by Prof. Shahabuddin Talukder.
The BNP has made arrangements for her to seek specialized medical treatment abroad at a more advanced healthcare facility.
Khaleda Zia was imprisoned on February 8, 2018, after being sentenced to five years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court extended her sentence to 10 years. She was later convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily released her on March 25, 2020, suspending her sentence for 776 days, with conditions that she remain at her Gulshan residence and refrain from leaving the country. On August 6, 2023, President Mohammed Shahabuddin fully exempted Khaleda Zia from her punishment, exercising his powers under Article 49 of the Constitution.