BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia returned home after 4-month treatment from London on Tuesday, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Dr Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, along with members of her medical team.
Her arrival was marked by a grand reception as thousands of her party leaders, workers and supporters lined up along 10 kilometers on the streets from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to her residence, Firoza, at Gulshan in the city. They all waved national and party flags standing with discipline to greet their beloved leader.
A Qatari royal air ambulance, provided by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42am, carrying Khaleda Zia and her entourage. They departed from Heathrow Airport in London at 9:35pm on Monday where her son BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman gave her an emotional farewell.
A vehicle with Khaleda seated in the front and her daughters-in-law in the rear left the Dhaka airport around 11:15am.
It took over two hours for the BNP Chairperson to reach her Gulshan residence from the airport by car, as her motorcade crowded with party leaders, activists, and supporters moved slowly along the route.
Due to the overwhelming crowd, security forces altered the original route, and she arrived at her residence, Firoza, at 1:30pm, escorted under tight security.
Upon arrival, Khaleda Zia was seen walking into her residence after disembarking from the car.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with several senior party leaders, arrived at the airport around 8:40am.
The BNP Chairperson was received at the airport by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Selima Rahman.
Speaking to reporters after receiving Khaleda Zai at the airport Fakhrul Islam said, "Khaleda Zia's homecoming is a very important matter for people amid the current situation of the country. Her return will be more helpful in building a discrimination-free Bangladesh."
"We believe our leader's presence and return will make it easier to restore democracy," Mirza Fakhrul said.
He sought doa from people of the country for the BNP chief.
Two footpaths of the airport road were filled up with party activists and supporters.
BNP supporters began assembling along both sides of the nearly 10-kilometre route since early morning, holding national and party flags to greet BNP Chairperson.
The BNP chief's Gulshan residence, 'Firoza', located at House 1, Road 80, has been fully prepared to welcome her.
Upon her return, stringent security measures were observed around Khaleda's residence. Members of the armed forces, along with law enforcement agencies, were deployed to ensure her safety.
On Tuesday morning, the road in front of Firoza was seen closed to vehicular traffic, with only limited pedestrian access. A tight security perimeter was established by law enforcement officials.
The premises had been thoroughly cleaned and decorated with flower pots in the garden, and utilities such as electricity, gas, and water supplies were checked, according to Shairul Kabir Khan from BNP Chairperson's media cell.
Surrounded by high walls, the residence features a security room at the entrance, where members of the police and the Chairperson's Security Force (CSF) are stationed in shifts to ensure round-the-clock security.
Sayrul noted that all rooms inside the house had been cleaned, with the front garden decorated with flower pots, adding a touch of colour and warmth in anticipation of her arrival.
As the BNP chief will be travelling from Dhaka Airport to her residence in Gulshan via Kakoli, the party designated specific locations for its affiliated bodies and leaders to take positions along the route in a disciplined manner to avoid causing traffic jams.
Khaleda Zia travelled to London for treatment on January 8 by a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained under the care of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for 17 days.
Since January 25, she had been receiving treatment at the London residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman, BNP acting Chairman.
