The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government would take decision as to Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, sons of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, would be sent abroad for treatment.

Adviser for Home Affairs Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin dropped the indication while addressing a press conference at his Ministry yesterday.

"The overseas treatment of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko depends on the government's decision," he said.

The Adviser said,the Ministry of Home Affairs has already received applications for their treatment abroad.

Except one, all the medical tests of Koko have already been done while application for Tarique's treatment abroad was received on Sunday, he said.

Adviser for Communications Ghulam Quader yesterday told reporters the Government is considering the matter of better treatment for the two detained sons of Begum Khaleda Zia on humanitarian grounds.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson's Adviser and pro-reformist leader Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, who hosted a party at his residence in honour of foreign diplomats, yesterday told reporters that foreign diplomats were in favour of the government allowing Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko to go abroad for better treatment.

According to him US Ambassador James F Moriarty, the Canadian High Commissioner and Japanese Ambassador, among other diplomats, attended the party.

He said they seemed supportive of overseas treatment for Tarique and Koko, if necessary.

"We have also stressed that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's medical treatment must be ensured abroad or at home according to her choice," he said.

He referred that medical boards had recommended that Tarique and Koko should be treated abroad as there was no proper facility for their treatment in Bangladesh.

The wife and daughter of Tarique Rahman, elder son of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, yesterday submitted application to the government to send him abroad for better medical treatment.

On behalf of Zubaida Rahman, the application was submitted by the lawyers of Tarique Rahman to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their daughter Zaima Rahman also signed the application.

The petition cited a series of ailments, including upper back pain, right hip arthopathy (a disease of a joint), narrow-angle glaucoma and chest pain.

Tarique Rahman, who is currently under detention and receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, has also been suffering from severe pain during stepping, limping gait, neck pain and severe back muscle spasm, the application said..

Barrister Nawshad Zamir, a councel of Tarique Rahman told reporters, they have requested the government to approve the application, considering his health reports, and makes arrangements for better treatment abroad.

"We have informed the Home Adviser and Home Secretary that Tarique needs overseas treatment as he is not showing any improvement here," he said.

He said both the Home Adviser and Home Secretary assured him that they would take necessary steps on the matter.

Replying to a question he said no separate appeal will be made on the treatment of Khaleda Zia.

Asked whether any application was made on behalf of Koko, he replied in the negative saying that Koko's family might do it.