When did Khaleda Zia travel abroad last?

In the political sphere of Bangladesh, for the past few days, the topic of discussion has been the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia. 

She was released as soon as the interim government took office, and her passport was swiftly issued. There are reports that preparations have been made for her to travel abroad for medical treatment. 

However, the question now circulating is why it is taking so long for Khaleda Zia to leave the country for advanced treatment.

According to multiple national media outlets quoting senior BNP leaders, Khaleda Zia‍‍`s family has completed all preparations to take her abroad for medical treatment. The visa process for the medical board doctors and other companions who will accompany her is also at its final stage.

Reports in the media suggest that Khaleda Zia was supposed to leave for London on November 7 or 8. She was expected to be taken by long-distance specialized air ambulance to London first, and from there, she would travel to either the United States or Germany for further treatment. The information presented in these reports was inaccurate and misleading; in reality, as the former Prime Minister continues to remain within the borders of the country.

BNP leaders are still stating that all preparations are in place and that she will be taken abroad at any time. Known as an "uncompromising leader" for her strong role in the 1990s people‍‍`s movement, the 79-year-old Khaleda Zia is suffering from several health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, lung complications, arthritis, kidney problems, diabetes, and eye issues.

Due to her imprisonment, Khaleda Zia has not been able to travel abroad for an extended period. If she travels now, it will mark her first trip abroad in over seven years. 

Her last foreign trip was in 2017, before the 11th National Parliamentary elections. On July 15 of that year, she went to London for treatment of her eyes and legs, staying there for nearly a month. 

Two years earlier, after the 10th National Parliamentary elections, she traveled to London on September 15, 2015, also for treatment of her eyes and legs. 

Her elder son, Tarique Rahman, the acting Chairperson of BNP, resides in London. During that trip, Khaleda Zia celebrated Eid with her family, including her late son Arafat Rahman Koko‍‍`s wife and children. She returned to Bangladesh after spending 65 days in London.

In 2018, just before the 11th National Parliamentary elections, Khaleda Zia was convicted in two corruption cases related to the Zia Orphanage Trust and the Zia Charitable Trust, and she was sent to prison. She was held in a former prison building in Old Dhaka for two years. Then, the global COVID-19 pandemic hit, and in March 2020, based on an appeal, the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina temporarily suspended her sentence through an executive order, granting her release. However, two conditions were imposed: first, she must receive treatment within the country, and second, she could not travel abroad.

Khaleda Zia did not return to prison after her release. Her temporary release was extended several times. During this period, her family repeatedly requested that she be sent abroad for advanced medical treatment, but the Awami League government rejected these requests on various grounds.

In 2024, the 12th National Parliamentary elections were held while Khaleda Zia remained at home. BNP did not participate in the elections, and the Awami League retained power for the fourth consecutive term through an election without BNP. 

However, seven months after the elections, under pressure from protests, the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country to seek refuge in India.

After the fall of the Awami League government in the mass uprising, on August 6, 2024, the President of Bangladesh, Mohammad Shahabuddin, pardoned Khaleda Zia‍‍`s sentence, and she was freed while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. The following day, she addressed a BNP rally via video message.

Her passport was swiftly issued after her release, and she returned home from the hospital on August 21. Although freed, due to her health condition, she is still unable to move around normally and remains under constant medical supervision.

For several years, BNP leaders had been demanding that Khaleda Zia be sent abroad for better treatment, but the Awami League government obstructed her travel. This has led to even stronger demands from BNP leaders. 

Finally, after the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus assumed power, her path to traveling abroad was cleared. However, despite all arrangements being made, the reason for the delay in her departure remains unclear.

Most recently, on Sunday, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated, "Madam is going abroad, but there are still some remaining tasks. These processes are underway, and once they are finished, she will go."

However, Amir Khosru could not specify exactly when Khaleda Zia will leave the country. He suggested that the process might be completed within a week, and she would depart afterward. But that week is almost over now.