Khaleda Zia on her way back home

The special air ambulance carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia left London last night and is scheduled to reach Dhaka this morning.

Ahead of her arrival, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday issued a 10-point directive to ensure security and smooth traffic flow.

People have been urged to remain on the sidewalks instead of the main roads from Gulshan, Banani to the airport, and party leaders will ensure that those welcoming her stay off the streets.

Police have requested that well-wishers refrain from carrying bags, sticks, or similar items, and that welcoming individuals are also barred from staying on the streets with motorcycles and joining the motorcade of Khaleda with any vehicle, according to a DMP circular issued by its Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali.

After four months of treatment in London, the former prime minister departed Heathrow Airport for Dhaka yesterday.

"The special air ambulance provided by Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her entourage, took off around 9:35pm Bangladesh time," said Sayrul Kabir Khan, BNP media cell member.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman driving his mother Khaleda Zia to Heathrow Airport in London yesterday. Photo: BNP

Earlier, the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman himself drove from his residence in Kingston, London, with his mother Khaleda seated next to him, and arrived at the airport at 7:40pm Bangladesh time.

Also in the car were Tarique's wife Zubaida Rahman, his daughter Zaima Rahman, and his late brother Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman.

At the VIP gate of Terminal 4 of the airport, Tarique bid farewell to his mother, accompanied by Zubaida, Sharmila, and physician AZM Zahid Hossain, said party sources.

A video posted by Tarique on his Facebook page shows him happily seeing his mother off and the entourage at the airport, saying "Allah Hafez".

At the airport before her departure, Khaleda told Tarique, "How long will you stay here?"

Tarique replied, "Once you board the plane … I will leave."

Khaleda also urged the party members there to take care of Tarique.

Party sources said the air ambulance was scheduled to make a stopover at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 4:25am Bangladesh time. After a one-hour stopover in Doha, the flight was expected to resume its journey towards Dhaka.

Meanwhile, party sources said preparations have been fully made to receive her, with thousands of leaders and activists expected to greet her.

The BNP is making elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey from the airport to her Gulshan residence while seeking to avoid public inconvenience.

According to the DMP directive, motorcycles are strictly prohibited on the streets from Gulshan and Banani to the airport, and motorcyclists will not be allowed to enter or pass the crowd.

Hajj travellers, international passengers, and SSC candidates have been advised to leave their homes early, recommending that people avoid the streets from Gulshan, Banani and Uttara from this morning until noon and instead use alternative routes.

The BNP has held several meetings with senior leaders and affiliated organisations to coordinate the reception and ensure that party instructions are strictly followed.

Addressing party supporters, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters yesterday, "Please don't gather on the roads. Those wishing to welcome madam should stand on the sidewalks. We have instructed party members to greet her with national and party flags in hands."

"There is an SSC examination tomorrow [today]. I request leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations not to block roads or disrupt traffic. Ensure students can reach their exam centres without delay."

"We are working to ensure that students don't face any hassle due to the reception programme," Fakhrul said, also calling on the police to keep the roads clear.

Party insiders said supporters will not be allowed to the airport or Khaleda's residence, Firoza, in Gulshan. Instead, leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated bodies will line up along 11 designated points from the airport to Firoza to welcome Khaleda.

Located at House 1, Road 80 in Gulshan, the residence has been thoroughly cleaned and decorated, said Sayrul Kabir.

On January 8, Khaleda flew to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.

Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained for 17 days. Since 25 January, she had been receiving treatment at the residence of Tarique.

The BNP chief was imprisoned in 2018 under the then Sheikh Hasina-led government following a conviction in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

In March 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the government temporarily released her on an executive order, suspending her sentence on condition that she remain at her Gulshan residence and not leave the country.

After the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin on August 6 last year.