LONDON: Former Prime Minister and also BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia reached London on a personal tour on Wednesday morning.

She left Dubai in an Emirates Airlines flight EK-7 from Dubai International Airport at 2:30am and arrived at Heathrow Airport at 6:14am London time ( 11:14 BDST), said a competence source of BNP.

Party sources said that Khaleda Zia’s personal secretary Abdus Sattar, Dhaka North City Corporation BNP-backed mayoral candidate Tabith Awal and domestic help Fatema Begum are accompanying her.

Earlier, the BNP chief left Dhaka for London in an Emirates Airlines flight EK-585 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:35pm.

However, party leaders and activists gathered at the adjacent road of the airport and chanted slogans while she exchanged greetings by weaving hands.

According to the sources, in her tour the BNP chief will talk to her elder son and also party senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman about the party’s next strategy and work-plan.

She is expected to return after 15 to 20 days.

Earlier on September 13, the BNP chief held a meeting with party senior leaders.

Terming Khaleda Zia’s visit absolutely personal, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told the media that the BNP chief will meet her elder son Tarique Rahman and also go to doctor for her eye problems.

Moreover, the BNP chief will try to meet the UK leaders, especially with Bangladesh-origin MP Rushanara Ali.

Khaleda Zia is also expected to meet the higher officials of UK foreign ministry.

** Khaleda leaves Dubai for London

BDST: 1220 HRS, SEP 16, 2015
RS/SMS