Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia returns home today (Tuesday) after 4-month treatment in London.
She is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 10:00am. She will be accompanied by her two daughters-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman.
Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, acting Chairman of BNP and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko, Begum Zia's youngest son, are likely to be active in BNP politics under the leadership of Begum Zia and Tarique Rahman.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party leaders and relatives will receive Khaleda Zia at the airport.
Fakhrul Islam told the Daily Observer on Monday, "Madam will fly in a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. Her flight will leave London at 4:10pm (London time)."
Fakhrul Islam said, "Leaders and activists of different BNP front organizations will stand on both sides of the footpath of the road from the airport to Madam's house, Firoza in Gulshan, to welcome her."
"We have instructed that party leaders and activists may hold national and BNP flags while greeting her," he said.
Since the BNP chief will be travelling from Dhaka Airport to her residence in Gulshan via the Kakoli route Fakhrul Islam asked party leaders and members to stay careful and not to create traffic jam while welcoming the BNP chief.
BNP Secretary General said, "Everyone is requested not to stand on the road to avoid traffic jam. Also, since the SSC exam is being held tomorrow, everyone has been asked to be careful and not to cause traffic jam or any trouble for the students."
Fakhrul Islam hopes everything will go smoothly.
Khaleda Zia's Personal Physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told the media, "The BNP chief left the home of her elder son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman around 12:50pm (GMT)."
He said Tarique is personally driving his mother to Heathrow Airport and will see her off there.
Prof Zahid, who will also accompany her on the flight, said the BNP chief will depart from London's Heathrow Airport at 4:10pm (London time and 10:10 BD time) in the air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He said the flight is scheduled to reach Hamad International Airport, Doha, at 2:30am, local time.
BNP sources said Khaleda's residence, 'Firoza,' located in Dhaka's Gulshan-2 area, has also been fully prepared to receive her, while thousands of party's leaders and workers are set to give her a massive reception from the airport to her home.
Khaleda Zia's two daughters-in-law and her medical team are with her. Her son, Tarique Rahman, will drive her to the airport in London. Her medical team member Prof Zahid Hossain, said she is feeling better now. The plane will stop in Doha before reaching Dhaka.
Khaleda left Dhaka for London on January 8 and stayed in the London Clinic hospital for 17 days. After that, she stayed at her son Tarique Rahman's house and continued treatment there.
BNP has arranged different party wings including Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Mahila Dal, and others to stand along the road from the airport to Gulshan.
No one will be allowed to enter the airport or follow the car on foot or in a bike procession.
As part of BNP's plan to welcome Khaleda Zia, different groups of the party will stand along the road from the airport to her house.
BNP's Dhaka North City unit will stand from the airport to Le Meridien Hotel.
Chhatra Dal members will be from Le Meridien to Khilkhet.
Jubo Dal will cover Khilkhet to Hotel Radisson, and Dhaka South City BNP will stand from Radisson to Army Stadium.
Swechchhasebak Dal will be positioned from Army Stadium to Banani Graveyard, while Krishak Dal will stand from Banani Graveyard to Kakoli intersection.
Sramik Dal will be from Kakoli to Banani Sheraton Hotel, and Ulema Dal, Tanti Dal, Jasas, and Matsyajibi Dal will be from Banani Sheraton to Banani kitchen market.
Muktijoddha Dal and other professional groups will take position from Banani kitchen market to Gulshan-2.
Mahila Dal and members of BNP's National Executive Committee will be from Gulshan-2 roundabout to Gulshan Avenue.
BNP has asked leaders and activists coming from other districts to choose a place along the road where they can stand and welcome Khaleda Zia.
Dr Zubaida is returning after 17 years, she has been living in London with her husband Tarique Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman since 2008.
Dr Zubaida will stay at her father's house, Mahbub Bhaban, on Road 5, Dhanmondi. The house is ready to welcome her. Even though it was already in good condition, extra arrangements were made for her comfort and safety.
Police and intelligence officers have visited the house and have taken extra security steps. BNP has written to the Inspector General of Police asking for armed guards, police presence, and an archway scanner at the house because of possible threats to her safety.
