Armed forces day: Khaleda receives warm welcome at event
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made her first public appearance in six years yesterday when she attended the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment.
This also marked her first attendance at the annual celebration in 12 years.
During the reception, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus exchanged greetings with Khaleda. The two were seated next to each other and were seen interacting cordially.
The 79-year-old former prime minister arrived at the venue around 3:30pm from her Gulshan residence.
She was accompanied by Sharmila Rahman, the wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, and BNP standing committee member, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
According to party sources, upon her arrival at Senakunja, Khaleda Zia was greeted by the Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Navy Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and the Chief of Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.
Her presence captured the attention of the attendees, many of whom greeted her.
She stayed at the event for about two hours, during which she greeted the participants and well-wishers.
Addressing a large gathering of dignitaries and VIPs, Yunus said, “We are particularly fortunate and honoured that three-time prime minister, also the wife of a freedom fighter and martyred president Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, is present here among us.”
Noting that Khaleda had not had the opportunity to attend this annual programme in the last 12 years, Yunus said, “We are all very delighted and proud to have been able to have you in our midst.”
He then addressed Khaleda , thanking her for attending the occasion despite her illness. “We hope for her a quick recovery and extend her a special welcome to this function.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who had arrived at the event earlier, was visibly moved upon seeing Khaleda at the occasion.
Speaking to reporters at the event, Fakhrul said, “The entire nation is happy, and we are grateful for the honour bestowed upon Madam [Khaleda].”
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