Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been admitted to the hospital after her health deteriorated. The condition of the 80-year-old Khaleda Zia is reported to be very critical.
Dhaka: The health condition of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), remains very critical. The 80-year-old Khaleda Zia has been admitted to a prominent hospital in Dhaka, where she is currently under strict supervision of doctors in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). Senior BNP leaders have appealed to her supporters, both at home and abroad, to pray for her speedy recovery.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters in Dhaka that the party chief's condition remains "very critical." He stated that a team of specialist doctors is continuously monitoring her health. "Doctors have informed us that her condition is alarming and the next few days are extremely crucial," he added.
Khaleda Zia Battling Heart and Lung Infections, Pneumonia
According to medical sources, Khaleda Zia's health suddenly deteriorated on the night of November 23. Tests revealed infections in her heart and lungs, following which she was immediately admitted to the hospital on the advice of a medical board. Additionally, she is suffering from pneumonia, which has further complicated her condition. Doctors state that her age and pre-existing conditions make her treatment challenging.
According to the hospital administration, her treatment involves a team of local specialists as well as foreign doctors. All her vital health signs are being continuously monitored through high-end medical support systems.
Returned to Bangladesh from London After Long Treatment
It is noteworthy that Khaleda Zia returned to Bangladesh in May 2025 after four months of medical treatment in London. At that time, her return was described by the BNP as extremely significant for the country's political landscape. During her welcome at Dhaka Airport, the BNP Secretary General had stated that Khaleda Zia's return was "crucial for the process of democratic change in Bangladesh."
Khaleda Zia had remained away from active politics for a long time due to health reasons and legal issues. Her return had sparked new hope among supporters, but now her serious illness has plunged the party and its supporters into deep concern.
Speculation Rises Over Tarique Rahman's Potential Return
Meanwhile, speculation has also intensified regarding the return of BNP Acting Chairman and Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, to the country. According to local media reports, with his acquittal in major cases, most legal hurdles he faced have now been removed. It is believed that if the election schedule is announced in the first week of December, Tarique Rahman could return to Bangladesh immediately thereafter. His return is expected to strengthen the BNP organizationally.
Khaleda Zia was sentenced to 7 years in prison and fined 1 million Taka on October 29, 2018, in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Following this sentence, she was held in Old Dhaka Central Jail. However, her path to release became clear after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government following the student-led mass movement on August 5. Subsequently, the court also annulled her sentence.
