Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has sent BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Iskander’s application to take her abroad to the Law Ministry for review.
The home minister told reporters at his residence in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi around 11pm on Wednesday after Shamim Iskander met him around 8:30pm.
The home minister said: “The prime minister has given maximum opportunity for the treatment of Begum Khaleda Zia. Her brother said that doctors have suggested to take her abroad. However, we haven’t heard anything from the doctors.
“The prime minister is very generous in these matters. We will look into this matter positively. The next decision will be taken after examining it in the Law Ministry by tomorrow.”
“There are many legal issues involved in sending her abroad. A court order might be needed for which the application has been sent to the Law Ministry, he added.
Meanwhile, Khaleda’s family sources said if permission is granted, she might be taken to London by Thursday. Her personal medical team and family members will also be with her.
Senior BNP leaders and chairperson's press wing member Shairul Kabir Khan said they would inform the reporters if they take Khaleda to abroad under any circumstances.
Earlier, on Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir discussed with the home minister about sending Khaleda to abroad.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal addresses reporters from his residence in Dhaka on Wednesday night | Collected
On Tuesday, a medical board, formed with 10 doctors of Khaleda’s personal medical team and Evercare Hospital, where she has been under treatment since April 27, suggested that the former premier be taken abroad for better treatment.
Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, a member of Khaleda Zia’s personal medical team, told Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday that even though her condition was stable, it might deteriorate any time “since she had been suffering from various health problems for a long time before being infected with Covid-19.”
According to family sources, preparations are underway to take her to London where her elder son Tarique Rahman lives with his family. Tarique Rahman has been in London since September 11, 2008 on medical grounds after securing parole in various cases.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 twice in a month – on April 10 and April 24. Her blood report and CT scan results were normal.
Also Read - Ailing Khaleda Zia can travel abroad if...
She was moved to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Evercare Hospital on Monday after complaining of breathing issues. Her shortness of breath was caused by excess fluid accumulating in her lungs.
Khaleda’s lawyers have said that she can travel abroad if the government relaxes the conditions for her release or lifts her sentence under Section 401 of the Penal Code.
Earlier, Law Minister Anisul Huq told Dhaka Tribune that the former prime minister could go abroad if the conditions related to her detention were relaxed. “But they need to apply to the government for permission.”
He said that an application had been filed in April this year before she was infected with Covid-19.
