BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia is set to return to Dhaka at 10:30am tomorrow on a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar, following four months of medical treatment in London.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the return at a press briefing yesterday at the party's Nayapaltan office, outlining extensive preparations to receive her, alongside designated locations for affiliated bodies to line the route from the airport to her Gulshan residence.

According to party sources, the air ambulance, carrying Khaleda, her medical team, and close family members -- including Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman -- is scheduled to depart London's Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm (London time) today.

Strict restrictions will be enforced along the route, said Rizvi, adding that walking or motorbike processions accompanying the chairperson's convoy will not be permitted.

Affiliated bodies of the BNP -- such as Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Mahila Dal, etc -- will line designated points along the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Khaleda's Gulshan residence.

Access to both the airport and Khaleda's residence will be restricted, even for party leaders, said Rizvi.

On Saturday night, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda is feeling better after receiving advanced treatment in London. He urged supporters and journalists not to crowd the roads and requested the public to use the elevated expressway to avoid traffic congestion.

Khaleda flew to London on January 8. She was admitted to the London Clinic for 17 days under the care of Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross, and since January 25, has been staying at Tarique Rahman's residence for continued care.

ZUBAIDA RETURNS AFTER 17 YEARS

Zubaida is also returning to Dhaka after 17 years. She plans to stay at her father's Dhanmondi residence, Mahbub Bhaban, with her ailing mother.

Zubaida left Dhaka with Tarique and daughter Zaima on September 11, 2008.

BNP leaders said preparations are underway at the house, which belonged to her father, former Navy chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan.

"We're making all necessary arrangements, including decoration, CCTV installation, and utility checks," said a BNP official.

On April 30, Khaleda's personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting armed police presence and additional security measures for Zubaida, citing possible threats.