Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) staged a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital as part of their countrywide programme demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release and better treatment abroad.

The rally started around 11:00 am, Banglanews correspondent reports.

The leaders and activists gathered at the venue with small processions chanting slogans from different parts around 8am.

From the rally, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "There is no other way open for us. The only one path in front of us is movement...We have to free our leader Khaleda Zia through the movement."

Mirza Fakhrul also said: "Today's rally proves that the government is destroying everything in the country. We are not even given a place for holding rally."

Besides, rallies are being held in all metropolitan cities and district towns, party sources said.

Earlier on Saturday, the BNP observed seven-hour hunger strike for the same issue.

Khaleda Zia, 76, a former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.

According to the BNP chief's physicians, she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.

They also said she is now suffering from critical cardiac, kidney problems while her blood sugar is out of control and haemoglobin level in her blood has dropped.

On November 11, Khaleda's younger brother Shamim Iskander submitted an application to the Home Ministry urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

BDST: 1320 HRS, NOV 22, 2021
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