Fakhrul renews demand for ailing Khaleda’s unconditional release

PBC News:  BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Islam Alamgir on Monday renewed the party’s demand for the unconditional release of ailing chairperson of the party, Khaleda Zia, to ensure her advanced treatment abroad.

“You know our chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to a hospital again yesterday (Sunday) as her health condition deteriorated,” he told an event in the capital, reports UNB.

The BNP leader said the party has long been on a movement demanding Khaleda’s unconditional release and sending her abroad for advanced treatment, but the “unelected and irresponsible” government is not paying heed to it since it considers her as their main obstacle to staying in power.

“We wish our leader Khaleda Zia a speedy recovery. From this programme, I also demand her (unconditional ) release,” he said.

A faction of the Jatiya Party (Zafar) arranged the program at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka, marking the 7th death anniversary of its late chairman and former Prime Minister Kazi Zafar Ahmed, who died on August 27, 2015 at the age of 76.

Earlier on Sunday night, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital for treatment and some more medical tests, just six days after she had several required tests in the same hospital.

Khaleda’s medical team member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief’s medical board advised her to get admitted to the hospital after reviewing her test reports. “She’ll undergo some more medical tests to determine her next course of treatment.”

Khaleda, a 77-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis.

Her family submitted several applications to the government seeking permission to send her to an advanced centre abroad for the treatment of her multiple health complications, but the government has rejected it every time as she was convicted of corruption by the court in two cases.

Govt scared of people’s unity

Fakhrul said the nation has been going through a critical time due to the current government’s ‘misrule’.

He said Awami League has turned the country into a fascist and authoritarian one by destroying democracy and all the democratic institutions only to cling to power.

Fakhrul said BNP has launched a movement across the country since August 22 protesting the price hikes in fuel and essentials and people are participating in it with spontaneous support everywhere. “Getting afraid of the movement, the government has let loose the Awami League cadres to attack our leaders and activists and our peaceful programmes,” he alleged.

Besides, the BNP leader said police are firing on BNP leaders and activists and attacking them in different parts of the country, injuring many people. “It has once again exposed the government’s terrible terrorist face.”

“The biggest fear of the government is now that people have forged a solid unity. This unity of people will hasten the fall of the government”, he observed.