The people of Bangladesh will not remain silent if steps are not taken immediately for ensuring the treatment of our leader Begum Khaleda Zia abroad,” said BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. 

Speaking at a milad and doa mahfil  to pray for BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s recovery from illness., the BNP leader also said their party has a scheduled protest program on August 19. “Later, if necessary, tougher programs can be announced demanding the treatment of our leader. Everyone must be ready for it.''

He said  Begum Khaleda Zia’s  life has to be saved to restore democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the voting rights of the people of Bangladesh. "The entire nation is now moving in that direction. I am sure that we will be able free our leader and ensure her treatment so that she can return to the political arena.”

Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, alleged that the government is deliberately pushing  Begum Khaleda Zia toward death by not giving her a scope to receive advanced treatment abroad ignoring the repeated requests of doctors.

He said the government along with those who sent Begum Khaleda Zia to jail in false cases and those who are depriving her of her treatment must be accountable in the days to come.

“The judiciary is now being used as a political weapon. Our leader and mother of democracy ( Begum Khaleda Zia’s ) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in a false case using the judiciary as a political weapon. People of Bangladesh can no longer remain silent since the judiciary, their last hope and resort, has become a political weapon,” the BNP leader said.

BNP arranged the program at its Nayapaltan central office, marking the 79th birthday of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The party’s all city and district units also arranged the milad and doa mahfil seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of  Begum Khaleda Zia.

He said foreign countries alongside the people of Bangladesh are worried about the BNP chief’s ailments and treatment and many of them asked the Bangladesh government through letters to take measures for her treatment.

On August 9,  Begum Khaleda Zia’s was admitted to Evercare Hospital for health checkups and treatment as she fell sick and she has been receiving treatment under close observation of doctors in a cabin at the hospital since then.  Begum Khaleda Zia’s has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.

Central leaders Abdus Salam, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Zainal Abdin, Ataur Rahman, Khairul Kabir, Abdus Salam Azad, Shirin Sultana, medical leader Rafiqul Islam and others participated in the prayer meeting under the direction of BNP Central Publicity Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury. Later Nationalist Ulama Party convener Shah Nesrul Haque conducted a special prayer seeking Khaleda Zia's recovery.