BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed hope that the government will release the party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia soon and allow her to go abroad for advanced treatment.
“Today we want to say very clearly that Khaleda Zia should be released and sent abroad for treatment,” he said.
The BNP leader expressed his optimism during a rally at the capital’s Naya Paltan on Friday afternoon.
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal organized the rally demanding the restoration of the caretaker government system in Bangladesh.
On September 25, Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Iskander wrote a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking permission to give medical treatment abroad. The letter was sent to the law ministry for examination and opinion.
Highlighting Khaleda Zia's contribution to the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh, Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP chief has struggled and fought for democracy throughout her life.
She was sentenced to jail on a false case, is now under house arrest, and is being pushed to death, he said.
Highlighting the country's commodity price situation, the senior BNP leader said that the government has failed to reduce the prices of rice, pulses, and salt.
The government has fixed the price of goods but no one is following that, he said.
Mirza Fakhrul also highlighted various incidents of harassment and torture, false cases, and arrests under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against the party’s women leaders and activists during the tenure of the Awami League government.
“This is an oppressive government. People are not safe in the hands of this government, especially women and children,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said: "Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina has become so arrogant that she is not thinking about the condition of the people of the country. That's why all the political parties of the country are saying that they want the national elections under a neutral non-partisan government. Elections cannot be held under this constitution.”
Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas presided over the program, and General Secretary Sultana Ahmed moderated the event.
BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, and others were also present.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since August 9.
She was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) from a cabin on Friday afternoon.
Considering her condition, the medical board has recommended that an urgent liver transplant be necessary. That is why she needs to be taken to a multidisciplinary treatment centre abroad.