Khaleda’s treatment: law ministry sends its opinion to home ministry

The law ministry on Monday forwarded its opinion to the home ministry on the application for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad.

Law Minister Anisul Huq informed the media on the development, but refrained from making any disclosure regarding the ministry's opinion.

The home ministry is expected to forward its assessment on the application to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The BNP on 20 December said there has been no improvement in the health condition of its chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been under treatment for various health complications, including arthritis, since 13 November.

Her medical board members say Khaleda needs to go abroad immediately for better treatment being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the home ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

The home ministry sent the application to the law ministry, seeking its opinion on the matter. 

Law Minister Anisul Huq recently said the government is looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment.

The BNP chief landed in jail in February 2018 for the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On 30 October that year, the High Court extended her punishment to 10 years, dismissing her appeal.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19, the government on 25 March last year granted her temporary release conditionally at the request of her family. Till now, the term of her release has been extended four times.

She is still facing at least 36 ongoing cases.