Tarique Rahman visits mother Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited his ailing mother and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in the capital’s Bashundhara area on Thursday.

He entered the hospital at 5.50pm. Earlier, at 5.10pm, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman arrived at the hospital.

Senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and Dr Zahid Hossain, accompanied Tarique Rahman. Security was tightened in and around the hospital ahead of his arrival.

After returning to the country following 17 years in London, Tarique Rahman attended a mass reception at the 300 Feet area in Purbachal. He left the venue for the hospital at around 4.30pm. Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23. Her condition deteriorated on November 27, after which she was shifted to the intensive care unit.

After leaving Evercare Hospital, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to stay with his family at house number 196 on Gulshan Avenue, adjacent to Khaleda Zia’s residence, Firoza.

In a brief speech at the mass reception, Tarique Rahman said peace and law and order must be maintained in the country at any cost. He urged people to remain united and not fall into provocation. He said that just as people stood united in 1971 and 2024 to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, the time has now come to restore the people’s right to speak and democratic rights.

He added that he wants to build a safe Bangladesh by taking everyone together, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, where women, men and children can move freely and safely.

Before leaving the airport earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman removed his shoes, stepped onto the soil and picked up a handful of earth, creating an emotional moment among party leaders and activists present. Senior BNP leaders received him, his wife and daughter at the airport, after which he travelled to the Purbachal reception venue on a specially arranged red-and-green bus.