Lack of action on Khaleda’s treatment angers BNP

Dhaka, Mar 7 (UNB) – BNP on Thursday voiced deep concern as there has been no visible step for ensuring the proper treatment of their ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia, even after the Home Minister’s assurance.

“The Home Minister on Tuesday announced that Khaleda Zia would be admitted to BSMMU for her better treatment. A lower court also asked the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment to her as per the High Court’s directives,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He further said, “Three days have elapsed, but there’s no effort in sight in this regard. Neither the minister’s assurance nor the court’s order has been implemented. We’re passing our every moment with deep worry over our leader’s (Khaleda’s) health condition.”   

A six-member BNP delegation, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his secretariat office on Tuesday.

After the meeting, Fakhrul told reporters that the minister assured them of taking whatever steps are needed for ensuring proper treatment of the BNP chief.

The home minister also told journalists that the BNP chairperson will soon be taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for medical checkup and tests.

Rizvi alleged that the government is not allowing Khaleda’s family members to meet her for nearly a month. “Why’re you showing such vindictive attitude towards her? We also went to jail, and our family members met us every week.”

He said family members can meet a prisoner every week as per the jail code, but the government is not following any rules and regulations regarding Khaleda.

Stating that Khaleda’s relatives met her last on February 10, the BNP leader said the jail authorities did not permitted them to meet her again on February 28 and March 3.

He also said BNP senior leaders have been trying to meet their chairperson for over the last two months, but the authorities are not giving them permission. 

Rizvi urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take steps for releasing Khaleda from jail considering her age and illness.

He also called upon the Prime Minister to allow Khaleda taking treatment at any specialised hospital.