Dhaka: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who has served the nation three times, has been moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) after her health deteriorated due to a severe lung infection. Doctors say the 80‑year‑old opposition leader is facing serious breathing difficulties and remains under close medical supervision.
Long Struggle with Illness
Khaleda Zia, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has battled health complications for years. She fell ill during her imprisonment in 2018 on corruption charges under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Although she was later released, her condition required repeated hospital stays, and she has largely remained at home since then.
Family Appeals for Prayers
Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, who has lived in London since 2008, appealed to the public through social media to pray for his mother’s recovery. He expressed gratitude for the support and affection shown by citizens but noted that returning to Bangladesh at this time is not possible.
BNP’s Statement
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed that Khaleda Zia’s condition is “extremely fragile” and emphasized that medical teams are working around the clock. Party leaders have urged the government to allow her access to advanced treatment abroad, a request that has previously been denied.
Political Context
Khaleda Zia remains one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political figures and a long‑time rival of Sheikh Hasina. Her imprisonment and subsequent health decline have been central issues in the country’s political debate, with opposition leaders accusing the government of denying her adequate medical freedom.