Tarique says he wants to return, but decision not his alone
NEWS DESK
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said he wants to return to Bangladesh to be with his ailing mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, but that the decision is not his alone to make.
In a Facebook post on Friday, he said the BNP chairperson and former prime minister remains in a “critical” condition at the intensive care unit, and that people across political divides have been praying for her recovery.
He said the chief adviser has assured “full medical support”, while local and foreign doctors are providing what he described as the highest level of professional and sincere care.
According to him, several friendly countries have also expressed interest in facilitating advanced treatment and extending other forms of assistance.
On behalf of the Zia family, Tarique expressed gratitude to citizens for their love and prayers, and urged them to continue praying for Khaleda Zia.
Referring to his own position, he wrote: “Like any child, I want to feel my mother’s comforting touch at a time like this. But unlike others, I do not have unrestricted or independent authority over the decision to return home.”
Calling the matter “sensitive”, he said he could not elaborate further, but added that the family remains hopeful he will be able to return to Bangladesh once the current political situation evolves, after what he termed a long period of “anxious waiting”.
Khaleda Zia has long been suffering from heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, kidney complications and other ailments.
She was rushed to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka last Sunday after experiencing breathing difficulties.
