‘Extremely critical’: Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia on ventilator support; BNP leaders visit hospital

Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia remains in an “extremely critical” condition, her personal physician has said, as her son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to the country after more than 17 years and completed his voter registration ahead of next month’s election.

Zia, 80, the chairperson of the BNP, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23 for multiple health complications. On December 11, doctors placed her on ventilator support to allow her lungs and other vital organs to rest.


“It cannot be said that her condition has improved. She is passing through an extremely critical phase,” Dr AZM Zahid told reporters during a late-night briefing outside the hospital, as per news agency PTI.

Urging people to pray, he added: “If, by Allah’s mercy, she can get through this critical period, we may hear something positive.”

Rahman spent more than two hours at the hospital late on Saturday, according to party officials. Both local and foreign doctors are involved in Zia’s treatment, with her daughter-in-law, Dr Zubaida Rahman, also assisting. The BNP has said it would prefer Zia to be taken abroad for advanced treatment, but her condition currently rules out air travel.

The health crisis comes as Tarique Rahman seeks to re-establish himself in Bangladeshi politics following his return from self-exile in London. In a message posted on X, Rahman thanked supporters for what he described as an overwhelming welcome and said he planned to help build an inclusive and secure Bangladesh. “This is a plan for all Bangladeshis. A united, inclusive Bangladesh,” he wrote.

Rahman, 60, returned to Dhaka on December 25 after leaving the country in 2008 following his arrest during the army-backed caretaker government. He later led the BNP from London after being appointed acting chairman in 2018, the year his mother was jailed in a corruption case.

On Saturday, Rahman completed the formalities to enlist himself on the voter list and obtain a national identity card, providing biometric data at the Election Commission office under heavy security. Officials said he is expected to receive his NID within 24 hours. His daughter Zaima also completed her registration.

Bangladesh is due to go to the polls on February 12, with Rahman expected to contest from the Bogura-6 constituency.