The National Standing Committee, the highest policy making body of BNP, has urged the government to ensure party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advanced treatment abroad.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia’s family members made the same plea to the government but the demand has been denied on legal grounds.

Following the rejection of the appeal, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demand while addressing a press conference after a meeting of the standing committee at the party’s chairperson Gulshan office in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Citing Khaleda Zia’s deteriorated health condition, Fakhrul said, “Getting a better treatment is a fundamental right for a person. Khaleda Zia is a senior citizen of the country and the country’s constitution has granted her the right.”

Earlier on October 1, the Law Ministry rejected an application seeking permission for sending BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.

The Law Ministry gave this opinion upon receiving an application sent by the Home Ministry in response to the request of the family of the former prime minister.