Khaleda Zia to return home Wednesday evening

Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to return home Wednesday evening after an extended period of treatment in the hospital.

Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP's media cell, confirmed the information, citing information from Khaleda Zia's personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

The 79-year-old leader has been battling various health complications, including arthritis, heart disease, and issues with her lungs, liver, kidneys, and diabetes. She has been receiving regular treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on August 9, 2023. Her family had appealed to the government to allow her to seek treatment abroad, but the request was denied.

Subsequently, three specialist doctors were brought in from the United States, and she underwent surgery for liver cirrhosis on October 27.

After more than five months of treatment, she returned home on January 11, 2024, when her health showed some improvement.

Khaleda Zia was jailed on February 8, 2018, after being convicted in two corruption cases. She spent over two years in prison before the government, following an appeal from her family, suspended her sentence through an executive order on March 25, 2020, granting her conditional release. Since then, the government has extended her release period every six months. After a change of power, the interim government acquitted her of all charges.