Dhaka, Oct 2 (UNB) – BNP MPs on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to see their ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia for herself and take steps for her release on bail.
“We the seven MPs call upon the Leader of the House and the honourable Prime Minister please see for yourself Khaleda Zia, our three-time PM. We’re sure if you see her, it’ll evoke your humanitarian feeling and you’ll feel the compassion for her.”, said BNP MP GM Siraj.
He further said, “Our leader (Khaleda) is a political prisoner and a political decision is necessary for her release. We humbly request the Prime Minster — you please take steps for the release of our leader on bail showing your political farsightedness instead of taking bureaucratic advice.”
GM Siraj made the call while talking to reporters after visiting Khaleda Zia at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) along with three other party MPs.
Siraj along with BNP MP Md Zahidur Rahman, Md Mosharof Hosen and Rumeen Farhana met Khaleda at the BSMMU around 3:15 pm and had nearly an hour-long meeting with her.
Asked whether Khaleda is willing to go abroad, Siraj said she will go there if it is necessary as she is not getting treatment by specialised doctors in the country.
He, however, he said it is Khaleda and her family members who will finalise the decision about the treatment whether at home or abroad. “It’s necessary to free her first.”
Replying to another question whether they met Khaleda with any message following an understating with the government, the BNP MP replied in the negative. “We don’t have any idea about any negotiation.”
Asked whether they discussed with Khaleda about her release on parole, Rumeen Farhana MP said Khaleda is not willing to be freed in this way. “I directly talked to madam (Khaleda) about parole, and she said she wants to be freed on bail as she deserves it as per the law. Madam also said there’s no question of seeking parole since she didn’t commit any offence.”
On Tuesday, there other BNP MPs — Harunur Rashid Advocate Abdus Sattar and Amimul Islam — met Khaleda at the SMMU.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Harunur Rashid their jailed chairperson Khaleda Zia is willing to go abroad for treatment if she is granted bail.
Khaleda has been receiving treatment at the BSDMMU since April 1 last.
Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case in February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both the cases are ‘politically motivated’.
