BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia attended the Armed Forces Day programme on 21 November purely out of her deep affection for the country’s military members, even after her doctors advised her not to go, said BNP’s acting chairman and her elder son Tarique Rahman.

“Amma’s health had been unwell for several days. The doctors had said she shouldn’t attend. But she ignored the advice and went there only out of love,” Tarique Rahman said on Tuesday at an event organised for Armed Forces personnel at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Recalling the day, he said, “We were talking online with the family that night. My younger brother’s wife accompanied Amma to the event. She said Amma became so mentally happy after going there that it’s beyond words.”

“After this incident, I don’t think anyone needs further proof of how deep the Zia family’s love is for the country’s armed forces,” he added.

Regarding Khaleda Zia’s health condition, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “She is still in a highly critical situation. All of you please pray for her.”

Speaking about the November 21 event, Fakhrul said, “That day Madam seemed so cheerful, it looked as though she had returned to her own home.”

Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple health complications. Her condition worsened on November 27, prompting doctors to shift her to the CCU. She has now been under treatment there for 17 days.