DHAKA, Bangladesh — Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, departed for London on Tuesday to seek medical treatment, as confirmed by one of her advisers. Zahiruddin Swapan, an aide to Zia, shared via phone that the ex-premier, who has served as Prime Minister three times and leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in an air ambulance late in the evening.
The situation surrounding Zia’s health is serious, with her medical conditions including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and kidney issues, according to medical sources. Her departure happens at a precarious political moment for Bangladesh, particularly after the recent ousting of her rival, Sheikh Hasina, during a student-led uprising in August. Both Zia and Hasina have long been prominent figures in the nation’s political landscape.
Currently, an interim government, overseen by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has assumed control and aims to organize elections either in December or in the initial months of 2026. Zia has previously faced a 17-year prison sentence linked to two corruption cases that emerged from her tenure from 2001 to 2006, with her supporters arguing that the charges had political undercurrents — a claim denied by Hasina’s government.
At the age of 79, Zia had been undergoing treatment in Bangladesh after being released from prison on bail. However, she was not granted permission to leave the country for medical reasons despite multiple requests. The special air ambulance dispatched to aid her medical transfer was arranged by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar. A considerable number of her supporters gathered outside her home in the upscale neighborhood of Gulshan to bid her farewell.
The journey to the airport was fraught with delays, as her convoy took nearly three hours to cover around 10 kilometers due to the throngs of well-wishers causing traffic disruption. Television networks broadcast her emotional farewell live, capturing the moment as thousands showed support for the former leader.
Zia’s close aide, Enamul Haque Chowdhury, revealed that the medical aircraft had flown in from Doha, destined for London, where her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, has been in exile since 2007. Rahman, the acting chairman of Zia’s party, is anticipated to steer the party during the upcoming elections, continuing the dynastic political legacy established by both families.
Khaleda Zia’s late husband, Ziaur Rahman, was a former military chief, who emerged as a significant figure in Bangladesh’s turbulent political history after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—father of Sheikh Hasina—in 1975. Ziaur Rahman was also killed in a military coup in 1981, just three years into his presidency. The history of Bangladesh’s leadership is marked by complex interrelations between these political dynasties.
A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, Zia’s personal physician, indicated that the special aircraft was outfitted with the necessary medical facilities for her critical health issues.
Zia’s departure comes on the heels of significant political shifts since the end of Hasina’s lengthy rule. Following her removal, Hasina has taken refuge in India, facing accusations related to the violent suppression of protests that erupted last July.
Zia’s exit might generate a notable absence in the political sphere, especially as groups leading anti-Hasina activities consider forming new political alliances. Meanwhile, the political landscape is seeing a marked rise in Islamist parties and groups in this predominantly Muslim country. Zia’s party is currently negotiating with the Yunus-led interim government over the possibility of elections occurring this year, amidst Yunus’s promises of implementing reforms prior to any election cycle.
