BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday for advanced treatment by a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday.

“You have already heard that we have received a highly advanced air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, on his own initiative and out of his generosity. It will arrive here tonight and, most likely, very early in the morning, they will take our leader Begum Khaleda Zia to the United Kingdom,” he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

He said all necessary procedures for Khaleda’s travel have already been completed. “You may have also come to know who will be accompanying her. A team of doctors will travel with Madam.”

The BNP leader said the royal air ambulance is equipped with very modern facilities. “It has everything available, even an operation theatre.”

Fakhrul said the medical board formed with local and foreign specialists has recommended shifting Khaleda to a specialised hospital in the UK for better treatment, and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has given his consent to the decision.

Seeking prayers from the people, he said, “We pray to Almighty Allah to ensure her safe journey and good health, and that she returns to us fully recovered.”

Fakhrul urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of “the most popular leader of the nation — the uncompromising leader of democracy — who is seen as a guardian by people across the country, no matter their political views.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan was also present at the press conference.

Earlier in the day, Khaleda’s personal physician and party Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain said she will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment.

The decision was made unanimously by a medical board including local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

“She will be taken to London by a Qatar royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said.

He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK.

Regarding her current condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly as advised by the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us.”

On 8 January, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on 6 May by the special air ambulance.

The former prime minister has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she is still under close observation.

Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart.

A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians.

The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety.