Bangladesh News

Detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is likely to announce today her decision in response to a government proposal for submitting an application seeking her release, lawyers say.

The former premier may make the announcement when she appears before the special court in connection with the Gatco case, the lawyers add.

According to her counsels, Khaleda has no intention to get admitted into a city hospital, but she wants immediate release of her two sons for their treatment abroad.

Sources say process to release Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko is at the final stage now, but the authorities have yet to make a “final” decision regarding the BNP chief’s elder son Tarique Rahman.

Tarique’s wife and daughter yesterday submitted an application to the home adviser and the home secretary requesting them to take necessary measures to release him for his overseas treatment. They also met Tarique at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital.

On the other hand, a number of BNP leaders are trying to pursue foreign diplomats as part of their strategy to ensure release of Khaleda and her sons. They claim the release would pave the way for the BNP-government dialogue as well as general elections, party insiders say.

Tarique’s counsels Nawshad Zamir and Nasiruddin Asim handed over the application to the home secretary on behalf of his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zayma Rahman.

“We have requested the government to approve the application considering Tarique Rahman’s health reports and make arrangements for his better treatment,” Zamir told reporters.

Asked whether a similar application will be filed for Khaleda, Nawshad said the BNP secretary general has already made a statement saying her decision would be the final in this regard.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday expressed worries over the health of Tarique and Koko and said the government will be responsible if anything happens to them for lack of treatment.

He also demanded immediate release of Khaleda, saying the people would not accept the elections without her. Delwar was speaking at a discussion at the Institute of Diploma Engineers organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal.

Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin told a press conference they have received the application and the government would decide about it.

Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader also told the reporters the government will consider the matter after receiving the application.

Earlier on Saturday, Zubaida and Zayma filed the same petition with the Chief Adviser’s Office.

In the application, Zubaida, a physician by profession, says her husband needs specialised orthopaedic surgical correction that is not available in the country.

Sharmila Rahman, wife of Khaleda’s younger son, had earlier submitted an application to the interim administration for sending her husband abroad on medical ground.

Koko has various medical complications and is under treatment since his arrest in September last year.

Tarique, senior BNP joint secretary general arrested on March 8 last year, faces a series of graft cases. He is receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital.

The Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and 45 teachers of Bangladesh Open University in a separate statement yesterday also demanded release of Khaleda and her sons.

Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal in a press conference made an 11-point demand including the release of Khaleda and her sons.