Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning to be with her critically ill mother-in-law, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

She left London Heathrow Airport at 6:53 PM (London time) on Thursday on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:53 AM (Bangladesh time) on Friday, said BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon.

From the airport, Zubaida is expected to go directly to Evercare Hospital to see Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment there since 23 November.

Although Zubaida was scheduled to accompany Khaleda Zia back to London today on a special air ambulance provide by the Emir of Qatar, the plan has been delayed.

The Qatar royal air ambulance is now unlikely to reach Dhaka before Saturday due to technical issues.

As a result, Khaleda Zia is not expected to travel to London before Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB.

“Because of a technical fault, the air ambulance is not arriving today. If everything goes well, it may arrive on Saturday. If Madam’s condition allows and the medical board agrees, she will fly on December 7 (Sunday), Insha’Allah,” Fakhrul said.

Dr Zubaida, a member of the medical board overseeing Khaleda’s treatment, has been monitoring her condition closely from London through virtual consultations. Her daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, saw her off at Heathrow on Thursday.

Khaleda Zia remains under close observation in the Critical Care Unit with complications involving her liver, kidneys and heart.

BNP sources say all arrangements have been completed for Khaleda’s treatment at London Bridge Hospital once she is flown out.

This will be her second medical evacuation on a Qatar royal air ambulance. Earlier, on 8 January, she travelled to London for treatment and returned home on 6 May. Zubaida stayed with her throughout that period, ending her 17-year stay in London, before returning there again on 5 June.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima have been living in London since 2008.