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Khaleda makes first public appearance in six years
The former PM attends the Armed Forces Day reception for the first time in 12 years
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 21 Nov 2024
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus exchanges greetings with former prime minister Khaleda Zia at the reception programme of Armed Forces Day 2024 in Dhaka Cantonment on 21 November. Photo: Courtesy
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appeared at a public event for the first time in six years on Thursday as she attended a reception at Dhaka Cantonment marking the Armed Forces Day.
The former two-time prime minister reached the venue at Senakunja around 3.45pm, attending the prestigious event for the first time in 12 years.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present at the event, among other senior BNP leaders.
Khaleda has been undergoing treatment for years for a number of ailments. The Awami League government jailed her in February 2018 in a corruption case. She was convicted in another corruption case as well.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the Awami League government freed her on “humanitarian grounds” but kept her confined to her home to pre-empt any move to flee the country.
On 6 August, a day after the fall of the fascist Awami League government in a student-led uprising, President Mohammed Shahabuddin scrapped Khaleda’s jail term in the corruption case, allowing her to roam freely.