The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Ailing BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman and his wife and daughter yesterday got UK and German visas to pursue his overseas treatment, his counsel said.

Tarique's physician Dr Kazi Mazharul Islam Dolan, would also accompany him on his foreign trip, said his counsel Adv Ahmed Azam Khan.

Tarique, elder son of detained ex-PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman applied for

British visa on Sunday and later applied for German visa.

Dr Dolan informed newsmen that Tarique Rahman would offer Ziarat at the grave of his father, slain President Ziaur Rahman, and also meet his detained mother Khaleda Zia before going abroad.

The ex-PM is likely to be released within this week as she got bail in all four cases filed against her during the anti-graft drive under the state of emergency.

"Health condition of Tarique remains unchanged and he is physically weak. His waist and backbone pains are also still unchanged," Dolan said.

He urged visitors not to make gathering in the hospital as it creates mental pressure on his patient.

Tarique Rahman was released on bail last Wednesday after nearly 18 months in detention.

He is now undergoing treatment in a cabin of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital with various complications, including backbone pain.

Tarique, 43, believed to be political heir of the Zia family, was arrested on March 7 last year from their cantonment residence by army-led joint forces amid the purge against crime and corruption after the 1/11 changeover following a political crisis over election issues.

His mother, Khaleda Zia, and younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko were also arrested on graft charges. Koko was released on July 17 on health grounds. He is now undergoing treatment for his respiratory complications at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok.

Tarique's release came after the High Court granted him bail in all 13-graft cases and the Supreme Court upheld the High Court decisions through rejecting government and Anti-Corruption Commission's appeals for stay.

Separate medical boards formed for his health checkups have suggested sending him abroad for treatment.