BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to return to Bangladesh on May 5 after several months of medical treatment in London. Despite arrangements being made for her return, she declined a special flight adjustment offered by the interim government and Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Authorities had proposed modifying the route of the London-Sylhet-Dhaka flight to London-Dhaka-Sylhet to better accommodate her health condition, but Khaleda Zia rejected the offer, stating that she did not want to inconvenience fellow passengers.

The information was confirmed by BNP Press Wing member Shamsuddin Didar, who noted that Khaleda Zia insisted on using a regular commercial flight like other travelers. She is scheduled to fly from London Heathrow on May 4 at 6 PM local time aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

BNP leaders and activists have made extensive preparations to welcome her upon arrival. It is reported that her two daughters-in-law may also return with her. Khaleda Zia had traveled to London on January 8 for advanced treatment, courtesy of a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar after learning of her health issues.

The BNP leader suffers from several chronic conditions, including liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, cardiac problems, diabetes, and arthritis. She had been imprisoned in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases and was incarcerated in 2018. After spending over two years in jail, her sentence was suspended in March 2020 under an executive order. Since then, the government had been extending her release every six months upon petition.

Following the fall of the Awami League government amid mass protests on August 5, Khaleda Zia was granted full release through an executive order. BNP then began arranging her overseas treatment.