Govt Extends Khaleda Zia's Conditional Release, Bars Overseas Treatment

The government has decided to extend the conditional release of Khaleda Zia, the convicted Chairperson of the BNP, for an additional six months. However, a stipulation has been added that prohibits her from seeking medical treatment overseas. The Home Ministry issued a notification suspending her sentence for the ninth time.

Under this extension, Khaleda Zia is required to undergo medical treatment at her residence in Dhaka. Despite pleas from her party, medical professionals, and family for her to receive urgent medical care abroad, the government maintains that such action is not permissible under the law.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on August 9 the previous year and returned home after a five-month period on January 11. Her jail term commenced on February 8, 2018, following her sentencing in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, and later in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

Initially released from jail for six months on March 25, 2020, through a government executive order due to considerations of her age and humanitarian grounds, upon her family's application, she has since been residing at her home in Gulshan.

The 78-year-old former prime minister is facing various health issues associated with old age, such as diabetes and eye complications.