Dhaka: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the government will take decision about the further treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia outside the jail after consultation with expert doctors.

‘But the decision will be made as per the jail code. If anything is needed to be done beyond the jail code, we’ll take steps after consultation with doctors,’ the minister told reporters at the secretariat when asked about BNP’s demand for Khaleda Zia’s treatment at United Hospital.

‘BNP leaders Nazrul Islam Khan and Major Hafiz Uddin came to me for providing treatment to the BNP chairperson at United Hospital. I told them we’re doing everything for the treatment of Khaleda Zia, and we’ll do what will be needed in future,’ he said.

‘She had not gone abroad frequently for treatment before. Is there such an example? No. She had received treatment in the country. Our expert doctors are providing treatment to her. And it’s clear we’re taking necessary steps according to their advice,’ said the minister while responding to another questing about taking Khaleda abroad for treatment.

He said Khaleda Zia is enjoying all the facilities under the jail code. She has been suffering from various diseases, including diabetic. Khaleda’s personal physicians also examined her health condition and suggested various medical tests, including MRI.

As Khaleda Zia has artificial metal in her body a special kind of MRI machine is needed for conducting the test and this machine is available at United Hospital. That’s why the BNP leaders requested to take Khaleda to the hospital, said the minister.

Responding to another question about giving permission to Sramik Dal for holding rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, he said the BNP leaders told him about the permission of holding rally on April 25 and May 1. He asked the leaders to submit an application to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for permission.