Zubaida leaves London for Dhaka to accompany ailing Khaleda to UK

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman._11zon

Dhaka, Dec 5 - Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is on her way to Dhaka to accompany her critically ill mother-in-law BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, during her flight to the UK in a special air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar for advanced treatment.

BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon said Zubaida boarded a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London Heathrow at around 6.03 pm (London time).

“The flight is expected to land in Dhaka around 9:30am tomorrow (Friday),” he told UNB.

Her daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, saw her off at the airport.

Once she arrives in Dhaka, Zubaida will join Khaleda Zia on the Qatar royal air ambulance for the journey to the United Kingdom.

Rumon said Dr Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board overseeing Khaleda’s treatment, has been monitoring her condition closely through virtual consultations from London.

Earlier in the day, Mahdi Amin, an adviser to Tarique Rahman, said in a Facebook post that Khaleda has shown “some improvement” and will be admitted to a hospital in London.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said all preparations have been completed to fly Khaleda to the UK early Friday morning on the Qatar royal air ambulance, which is equipped with advanced medical facilities, including an on-board operation theatre.

“A team of doctors will travel with Madam,” he added.

Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November.

She was moved to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November with multiple complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart, and remains under close observation.

BNP sources said Tarique Rahman and Dr Zubaida have already arranged treatment for her at London Bridge Hospital.

This will be Khaleda Zia’s second medical evacuation on a Qatar royal air ambulance. On 8 January she travelled to London for treatment and returned to Dhaka on 6 May. Dr Zubaida accompanied her then, ending her 17-year stay in London.

She returned to London on 5 June after a month-long stay in Dhaka, and is now flying back again mainly to accompany the BNP chief abroad.

Meanwhile, BNP sources said Khaleda’s departure for London may be delayed until late Friday morning (5 December 2025), as the Qatar royal air ambulance is likely to arrive in Dhaka later than planned due to technical issues.

Dr Zubaida is also scheduled to reach Dhaka around 9:30am on Friday to travel with her.

At a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday afternoon, Mirza Fakhrul said the air ambulance was expected late at night.

He later told UNB that “some technical problems” have emerged which may delay its arrival.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.

Dr Zubaida, a former government doctor, topped the national merit list in her MBBS examinations and secured first place in the BCS (Health) cadre in 1995. She was later dismissed from government service under the Awami League government after travelling to London on study leave in 2008.

She completed her postgraduate degree in medicine at Imperial College London. - UNB