The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Tarique Rahman, the ailing joint Secretary General of BNP, and the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was barred from leaving Dhaka last night for treatment abroad.

Lastnight at 11-45 Tarique was scheduled to fly to London on Singapore Airlines flight number SQ 435.

Talking to newsmen at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at about 9:45pm, his counsel Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan said, "Everything was ready for Tarique's trip abroad at 11:55pm Wednesday, but the quarters concerned in government did not allow it."

He further said, "Tarique could not go abroad for treatment due to obstruction."

Quoting his client, Azam said Tarique, senior joint secretary general of BNP, asked party faithful to maintain discipline when the BNP chief, Khaleda Zia, will be freed from jail today at 10:00am.

Another lawyer for Tarique, wishing anonymity, said an official from Home Ministry last night asked for not sending Tarique. And, hence, he could not go abroad.

Five lawyers--Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Advocate Masud Talukder, Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, Advocate Sanaullah Mia and Advocate Shimul Biswas--were present among others at the hospital gate to see him off.

Sources said Tarique's wife Dr Jubaida Rahman, daughter Jaima Jarnaz Rahman, wife's elder sister Shahina Khan and her husband Air Commodore (retd) Shafiuzzaman and his personal physician Dr Kazi Majharul Islam Dolan are likely to accompany Tarique on the long-haul trip for his treatment.

They were to fly for the British capital by an airplane of Singapore Airlines tonight.

Earlier, Tarique was released on bail on September 3 from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University after nearly 18 months in detention and drama in power politics.

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

Of the 13 pending cases against him, nine were filed by police and individuals on various charges, including extortion, three by the ACC on charges of graft, and one by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for tax evasion.