BNP has started a seven-hour mass hunger strike across the country on Saturday demanding party Chairperson Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.

In the capital, the programme started from 9am in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office and will continue till 4pm. The program is also being observed in all metropolitan cities and district towns, party sources said.

The leaders and activists gathered at the venue with small processions from 8am to join the hunger strike programme, Banglanews correspondent reports.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement in one side of the road remained suspended following the programme.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir formally inaugurated the event. 

He urged all to observe the programme in a peaceful manner maintaining discipline.

"Khaleda Zia is fighting a battle of life and death. She is the most beloved leader of the people of Bangladesh. It is inhumane that she will not be given a chance to receive treatment abroad,” he also said.

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: 1304 HRS, NOV 20, 2021 
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