Only Khaleda Zia to receive SSF protection, not her family: Environment Adviser

Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia alone has been given SSF security coverage, not her family members.

She made the clarification during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday (December 4).

Rizwana Hasan said two amendments have been made to the Representation of the People Order (RPO): postal ballots will now be counted simultaneously with general votes, and any ballot with multiple stamps will be considered invalid.

She added that the government has passed the Police Commission Ordinance, forming a five-member commission that will recommend measures to make the police more people-friendly and review complaints related to police professionalism.

The approval came during a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by the Chief Adviser.

She reiterated that VVIP protocol will apply only to Begum Zia, not to her family members.

Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since her admission on November 23. BNP leaders, including Standing Committee member Dr. Zahid Hossain, said her condition remains critical. The party has already decided to move her abroad (London) for advanced treatment.

Since she was declared a “Very Important Person (VVIP),” SSF and PGR personnel have been deployed to secure the Evercare Hospital premises.