Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is set to depart for London on Tuesday night for medical treatment, as confirmed by her aides. This development comes at a time when the nation is facing uncertainty regarding its political future following the ousting of her rival, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a student-led uprising in August.
An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been governing the country since then and is planning to conduct elections either in December 2025 or in the first half of the upcoming year.
Zia, who was sentenced to 17 years in jail during Hasina’s tenure in two corruption cases dating back to 2001-2006, is believed by her supporters to have been targeted for political reasons, a claim refuted by Hasina’s administration. Under Yunus' leadership, Zia was acquitted in one case in November, with an appeal in the second case being heard on Tuesday.
Zia is scheduled to depart from Dhaka on a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Ahead of her departure, hundreds of supporters gathered outside her residence in Dhaka to bid her farewell.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has witnessed significant changes since Hasina's departure last August, following allegations of involvement in the deaths of numerous protesters during a mass demonstration that began in July. Zia's eldest son and heir apparent, Tarique Rahman, who has been in exile in London since 2007, is expected to lead her Bangladesh Nationalist Party towards the upcoming election.
Qatar’s emir has arranged for a special aircraft equipped with medical facilities to transport Zia, who has been battling various health issues including liver cirrhosis, cardiac problems, and kidney complications. Her physicians and party members have long advocated for her to receive medical treatment abroad.
Zia's party has been in discussions with the Yunus-led government regarding the timing of the election. Initially calling for a vote within three months, they have now expressed willingness to allow the interim government more time, albeit not an extended period, to organize the election. The party is currently pushing for the election to take place sometime this year, while Yunus has emphasized the need for significant reforms before the electoral process.
