Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their chairperson Khaleda Zia asked her party leaders and activists to continue the movement for ‘restoration’ of democracy.

‘Our leader (Khaleda) has urged people to pray for her early recovery and for an end to the bad time the nation is passing through,’ he said while talking to reporters after meeting Khaleda at Old Dhaka central jail, reports the UNB.

Fakhrul further said, ‘She’s asked our leaders and activists to continue their movement with courage for the restoration of democracy.’

Amid doctors’ concern over her health condition, Fakhrul together with BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Nazrul Islam Khan entered the jail gate around 3:50pm and came out of it around 5:05pm.

About Khaleda’s illness, Fakhrul said they have got seriously worried over her health condition after meeting her. ‘Her physical condition is really critical. Her left hand is getting stiff and its weight has increased. The pain in her left leg and entire left side, including the back, has aggravated further.’

He said it has now become very difficult for Khaleda to move or walk. ‘Doctors said some neurological problems are developing in her health due to her arthritis complications which can lead to paralysis. Her right eye has got turned red and it may be affected badly if she is not immediately given treatment.

Fakhrul said the medicines she was given in jail as per the prescription of the medical board formed by the government are neither working to improve her condition nor to ease her pain. ‘She now needs a healthy environment. Even a healthy person will fall sick in the environment she has been now kept in jail.’

The BNP leader urged the government to take proper steps immediately so that Khaleda can receive treatment at United Hospital.

Earlier in the day, three personal physicians of the BNP chief feared that she can be crippled and lose her eyesight if she is not given proper treatment immediately in any specialised hospital.

Fakhrul said their ‘critically ill’ chairperson cannot be taken to a specialised hospital for better treatment as a file in this regard remains stuck at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Fakhrul last met Khaleda on April 6 and the BNP chief was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University the following day for some medical tests.  

On February 8, Khaleda Zia was sent to jail after a special court sentenced her to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.