Take care of Khaleda's health

News of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's illness has been making rounds in political circles for the last few days.

Leaders from both the ruling party and BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) are issuing statements and counter statements regarding the matter.

The BNP leaders said, Khaleda's actual condition is not still clear. They demanded a physical check-up by her personal physician, and if required, she be released for better treatment.

Ruling party Awami League general secretary, Obaidul Quader said, if necessary the BNP chief will be provided with further treatment and would be sent to another country if the physicians so recommend.

Khaleda is presently in prison, convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust Case. A few days ago, the BNP leaders met her there and told the media she was well.

On last Wednesday, Khaleda was not present for the hearing of the Zia Charitable Trust case before the trial court. Her lawyers alleged that they were not informed of the matter beforehand. The next day her meeting with the party general secretary, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was also cancelled due to illness.

BNP has asked for her a meeting with the physician while the government has denied this on prison law grounds.

The prison physician told BBC that Khaleda had no new ailment other than her knee problem.

We do not wish any political debate over the issue and the government should clear the confusion. The prison authority, we expect, will take every step for her proper treatment.

The issue of Khaleda's bail is relevant in this regard. The High Court had granted her a four-month bail which had been repealed by the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division fixed the hearing for 10 April. Khaleda Zia's lawyers said the repeal order was unprecdented.

Khaleda Zia is not only the head of a major political party, but is also a former prime minister of the country. The AL general secretary's claim that the government is 'not inhuman' should be reflected in their actions too.

We want the confusion over Khaleda Zia's illness to be resolved. If needed, a medical board should be formed and the public should be informed of her actual health condition.