Army Chief Meets with Khaleda Zia

Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman Visits Khaleda Zia at Her Gulshan Residence On Thursday night, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a visit to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence to inquire about her health. According to BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan, the Army Chief arrived at Khaleda Zia’s home, Feroza, around 8:30 PM.

Accompanied by his wife, General Waker-Uz-Zaman came to offer his well wishes for the BNP leader's recovery. Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar was present to receive the Army Chief at the residence. "The Army Chief expressed his prayers for the BNP Chairperson’s speedy recovery," Sayrul Kabir Khan shared. The couple stayed for approximately 40 minutes during their visit.

This marks the second meeting between General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Khaleda Zia. The first encounter took place on 21 November during a program at the Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Armed Forces Day.

Sources from the BNP have confirmed that Khaleda Zia is scheduled to travel to London for advanced treatment on 7 January, provided her health allows. She is expected to be flown to London in an air ambulance arranged by Qatar Airways. A 15-member delegation, including Syeda Sharmila Rahman (wife of Khaleda's late son Arafat Rahman Koko), several physicians, and key BNP leaders, will accompany her on the journey.

Khaleda Zia’s office has already notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding her treatment abroad, including the details of the entourage.

The former Prime Minister has been battling multiple health issues for years, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and complications related to her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes. On 26 October of the previous year, three US specialists performed a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to address issues such as fluid retention in her stomach and chest, as well as bleeding in her liver.

Daily Bijoy News/ Chandan