UPDATE: Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is in “very critical” condition at a hospital in Dhaka, according to her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). This urgent news comes as her son and acting party chief, Tarique Rahman, faces uncertainties about his potential return to the country.
Zia, aged 80, was admitted to a private hospital on November 23 due to a severe chest infection affecting her heart and lungs, doctors confirm. The urgency of her medical situation raises significant concerns for her supporters and the political landscape in Bangladesh.
As the BNP regains prominence following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising last year, the stakes are high. Rahman, who has been living in London since 2008, indicated on Facebook that his return is “not entirely” within his control, a statement that has intensified speculation about potential political or legal obstacles.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, asserted there are “no restrictions or objections” to Rahman’s return. Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’ press secretary, emphasized in a Facebook post that “there are no obstacles in this matter.” The interim government is prepared to issue a travel pass within a day should Rahman decide to return, stated Touhid Hossain, the de facto foreign minister, on Sunday.
Rahman has been acquitted of all cases against him since Hasina’s ousting in August 2022, effectively lifting legal barriers that previously complicated his return. The BNP, having boycotted disputed elections in 2014 and 2024, is quickly emerging as a frontrunner in Bangladesh’s evolving political arena.
The situation remains fluid, with Zia’s health and Rahman’s potential return capturing the attention of both supporters and observers internationally. As developments unfold, the BNP’s role in the shifting political landscape is increasingly significant, making the coming days critical for the party and its leadership.
Stay tuned for further updates on Khaleda Zia’s health and the implications for Bangladesh’s political future.
