Love, cheers welcome Khaleda’s return home

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's return home on Tuesday (6 May) after four months of treatment in London was marked by thousands of party leaders and activists lining the streets from Dhaka airport to her Gulshan residence, chanting slogans and waving flags in a powerful display of love, loyalty and solidarity.

A Qatari royal air ambulance carrying Khaleda and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42am, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told reporters.

Infographics: TBS

A vehicle with Khaleda seated in the front seat, while her two daughters-in-law – Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and late Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman – occupied the rear seats, left the airport at around 11:15am and reached her house, Firoza, around 1:30pm amid tight security measures.

BNP supporters had begun assembling along both sides of the nearly 10-kilometre route since early this morning, holding national and party flags to greet Khaleda.

Leaders and activists of the party and all of its affiliated organisations gave her a warm welcome by swarming the streets just to get a glimpse of the party chief and accompanying their motorcade from the airport to her residence.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with several senior party leaders, welcomed Khaleda at the airport.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Fakhrul said that the return of Khaleda will help advance the goal of building a non-discriminatory Bangladesh.

"Khaleda Zia's return will make the path to democracy easier," the BNP leader said, adding that he sought prayers from the people for her continued good health.

"She went abroad for treatment after years of suffering under fascist oppression. With the fall of fascism, she was finally able to receive proper medical care. After nearly four months of treatment, she is returning home today. It's a matter of great joy for us and the people," said the BNP leader before her arrival.

Khaleda walks home

Khaleda marked her return home amid loud cheers of her supporters and family by walking to her residence.

During public appearances, the ailing Khaleda was often seen using a wheelchair, but on Tuesday she walked from her car to her residence, Firoza, with support from those beside her.

Her walk home became symbolic itself, speaking to her improved health.

The BNP chief's Gulshan residence, located at House 1, Road 80, was fully prepared to welcome her. Stringent security measures were taken around Khaleda's residence. Members of the armed forces, along with law enforcement agencies, were deployed to ensure her safety.

The road in front of Firoza was closed to vehicular traffic, with only limited pedestrian access. A tight security perimeter was established by law enforcement officials.

The premises had been thoroughly cleaned and decorated with flower pots in the garden, and utilities such as electricity, gas, and water supplies were checked, according to Sayrul Kabir Khan.

Surrounded by high walls, the residence features a security room at the entrance, where members of the police and the Chairperson's Security Force were stationed in shifts to ensure round-the-clock security.

Sayrul noted that all rooms inside the house had been cleaned, with the front garden decorated with flower pots, adding a touch of colour and warmth in anticipation of her arrival.

Khaleda expresses her gratitude

Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, the party's Standing Committee member and personal physician to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said the former prime minister has expressed her gratitude and well wishes to the people of Bangladesh for being able to return to the country in good health.

"She [Khaleda] went to London four months ago for treatment. During this time, various officials from Bangladesh's interim government, various organisations, the foreign affairs ministry, members of law enforcement agencies, and the country's people played various roles. Therefore, Khaleda Zia has expressed gratitude to everyone," he said.

Dr Zahid, who accompanied Khaleda's entourage from London, continued, "Khaleda Zia had to undertake a 17-hour journey to return to the country. Although she is physically tired, she is mentally well. The BNP chairperson still wants to stand by the people of the country like she did before."

On behalf of the BNP, Dr Zahid expressed gratitude to the Emir of Qatar and the Qatari government for willingly providing the royal special air ambulance.

He said the air ambulance, equipped with all royal medical facilities, was provided free of charge.

NCP's greetings

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (North) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), welcomed Khaleda back to Bangladesh in a post on his verified Facebook profile on Tuesday. 

In the post, Sarjis expressed his expectation that Khaleda and the BNP would honour the sacrifices made during last year's July Uprising.

"We believe that she and her BNP will work uncompromisingly to protect Bangladesh's democracy, prioritising national interests above all," he wrote, referencing the aspirations for which students and people of Bangladesh shed their blood and sacrificed their lives during the July Uprising.

Returning home after four months

Khaleda left Heathrow Airport in London on Monday for Dhaka. Apart from Zubaida and Sharmila, Khaleda was accompanied by an entourage that included members of her medical team.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged everyone not to stand on the road in any manner. "Those wishing to welcome Madam should stand on the footpath and greet her from there. We have instructed that party leaders and activists may hold national and BNP flags while receiving her," he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) also issued a notice on Monday, warning of potential traffic congestion in the Gulshan-Banani area due to excessive crowds gathering to welcome Khaleda.

It also released a set of parking guidelines for the vehicles of journalists and arriving guests to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to city traffic.

London visit

The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, eye problems, and post-Covid complications.

Khaleda travelled to London on 8 January. Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained under the care of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for 17 days.

Since 25 January, she has been receiving treatment at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.