Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former Prime Minister, has returned to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, in Dhaka after undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom for the past four months. She arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday morning, May 6, on a special air ambulance flight arranged by the Qatari royal family.

Accompanied by her daughters-in-law Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, widow of her late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, Khaleda Zia reached her residence at around 1:25 PM. The information was confirmed by BNP’s media wing member Shayrul Kabir Khan.

The air ambulance landed at Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42 AM. It had departed from London’s Heathrow Airport the previous day at 9:35 PM Bangladesh time, making a brief one-hour stop in Doha, Qatar, for refueling at Hamad International Airport before continuing its journey to Dhaka.

After completing airport formalities, Khaleda Zia left the airport at approximately 11:20 AM in her longtime personal vehicle, a Nissan Patrol. She sat in the front passenger seat while her two daughters-in-law sat in the rear. The vehicle, part of a motorcade, was escorted by party leaders and supporters who had gathered to welcome her back.

Ahead of her arrival, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had implemented strict security measures around the airport and the Gulshan area. Law enforcement agencies also issued specific instructions for BNP supporters who came to receive her.

Khaleda Zia, aged 79, has been battling several chronic health conditions, including liver cirrhosis, kidney problems, heart issues, diabetes, and arthritis. Her return to the country marks the end of a prolonged period of treatment abroad, during which her health remained a major concern for her party and supporters.

During the previous Awami League government, Khaleda Zia had spent an extended period in prison. Appeals made on her behalf for advanced treatment abroad were reportedly rejected, which her party claims hampered her access to proper healthcare.

Following the fall of the Awami League government in the wake of mass protests and a student-led uprising, Khaleda Zia’s legal position has significantly improved. The judicial system, under the new interim administration, has reopened avenues for a fair hearing. The High Court has also observed that several cases filed against her during the previous regime appeared to be politically motivated.

Her return is being viewed by BNP members as a moment of renewed political momentum, with the party hoping to regain strength under her leadership after a long absence.