Khaleda falls seriously ill: Fakhrul

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said party chairperson Khaleda Zia is seriously ill. 

“Khaleda Zia is in a very bad condition. We have become worried after seeing her. She should be given treatment immediately at hospital (United Hospital) where she earlier wanted to go,” Fakhrul told journalists after coming out of the abandoned central jail on Nazimuddin Road on Saturday afternoon. 

Fakhrul, together with BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Nazrul Islam Khan, entered the jail at 3:45pm and emerged around 5:00pm.

Khaleda’s left arm is becoming stiff and heavy, Fakhrul quoted Khaleda as saying.

He also quoted Khaleda that she has been suffering from pain on the left side of her body and it has become difficult for her to move.

“If Khaleda is not given proper treatment and if anything happens to her, the government will be liable,” the BNP leader warned.  

Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia urged the people to pray for her.

She also urged the party leaders and activists to courageously launch demonstrations to restore democracy, Mirza Fakhrul also quoted the BNP chief as saying.

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia has been in the jail since a makeshift court sentenced her five years in jail in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on 8 February.