Dhaka, Sep 18 (V7N): BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to return to her residence in Gulshan this evening following a six-day stay at Evercare Hospital, where she received treatment.

AZM Zahid Hossain, her personal physician and a member of the BNP standing committee, confirmed the news, stating that Khaleda Zia will be discharged based on the medical board's recommendations. "She underwent several medical tests during her stay, and the board reviewed her latest health reports before making this decision," he said.

Khaleda is expected to leave the hospital at 5:30 PM, according to Shamsuddin Didar, a member of her media team.

The BNP leader was admitted to the hospital early Thursday for tests, as advised by her medical board. Her admission followed a previous 45-day hospital stay, from which she was discharged on August 21. Earlier, on June 23, specialists led by Prof. Shahabuddin Talukder installed a pacemaker in her chest.

Khaleda Zia has been grappling with multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes. Since her liver cirrhosis diagnosis in November 2021, her doctors have recommended she seek treatment abroad.

In October of last year, three US doctors performed a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to prevent fluid accumulation in her abdomen and chest, as well as liver bleeding.

Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, following a five-year sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later extended her sentence to 10 years. Additionally, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government temporarily released her on March 25, 2020, after 776 days of imprisonment. This release was granted under the condition that she remain in her Gulshan residence and refrain from traveling abroad.

On August 6, President Mohammed Shahabuddin fully pardoned Khaleda Zia, as per an executive order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, which grants the president the authority to pardon or commute sentences.

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