BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is showing signs of improvement, raising hopes that she could recover in Bangladesh without the immediate need for treatment abroad, her medical team said on Sunday. A doctor on her medical board, speaking anonymously, said: “Madam is better than before. We are doing our utmost to treat her here. She has faced more critical conditions in the past and has recovered. With proper care, it may not be necessary to take her to London.” Tests conducted on Sunday, including CT scans and ECGs, showed improved results, the doctor added, noting that several of her vital health parameters are stabilising. Her stay in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) will continue as long as necessary, he said. “Local and foreign specialists are providing the best care. Dr Zubaida Rahman, her daughter-in-law, is coordinating treatment at her bedside. She is expected to remain in Bangladesh for several more days,” he added. Family members are closely monitoring her condition, and Khaleda has occasionally been able to speak with them. “Her younger brother, his wife, and two daughters-in-law have remained constantly by her side,” the doctor said. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury confirmed that Khaleda would be flown to London if the medical board recommends it. “The Qatar government will arrange an air ambulance whenever needed. We are waiting for the board’s decision. With everyone’s prayers, we hope she will overcome this. If advanced treatment abroad is required, a suitable hospital in London will be selected,” he said. Earlier this week, the board had advised that she should be transferred to the UK for specialised care. A special air ambulance, provided by the Emir of Qatar, was expected on Friday but was delayed due to technical issues. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the air ambulance had still not arrived as of Sunday, leaving the timing uncertain. Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and a member of Khaleda’s medical board, visited Evercare Hospital on Sunday to oversee her treatment. Since arriving in Dhaka on Friday, she has been closely monitoring Khaleda’s condition, receiving continuous updates even when at her Dhanmondi residence, according to BNP media sources. Khaleda Zia has been under medical care at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the CCU on November 27 due to multiple health complications. Her treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with participation from specialists based in the UK, USA, and China. As the nation watches closely, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political figures can recover at home or will require urgent advanced treatment abroad.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has sharply criticised the interim government for failing to take decisive action against corruption, warning that graft continues to fester across the country. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, the local chapter of the Berlin-based global anti-corruption watchdog, made the remarks during a media briefing on Sunday, where he also presented a set of recommendations that political parties should adopt in their manifestos ahead of the next parliamentary elections. “TIB does not yet have conclusive data on whether corruption has increased or decreased since August 5,” Iftekharuzzaman said. “We are working on comparative figures. But the reality is clear: corruption has continued unabated. We have witnessed multiple examples since the afternoon of August 5.” He emphasised that corruption is rampant across several sectors. “A section of the country is engaged in corruption through factionalism, land grabbing, and extortion,” he said. “Others are abusing political power and governance structures to serve private interests.” Iftekharuzzaman underlined that the interim government had missed a crucial opportunity to take a strong and visible stance against corruption. “The failure to act decisively sends the wrong message to both the public and perpetrators,” he warned. The TIB chief called for urgent reforms in the banking and financial sector. Among 52 recommendations presented at the briefing, he urged the formation of an independent bank commission and the removal of politically connected individuals and business families from boards and management of all commercial banks and Bangladesh Bank. He also demanded that past perpetrators of fraud, irregularities, and corruption be brought to justice. “Legal frameworks alone cannot ensure transparency and accountability,” Iftekharuzzaman said. “Reforms must be implemented, and enforcement must be visible to restore public confidence.” He highlighted that ordinary businessmen and entrepreneurs have suffered substantial losses over the last 15 years due to systemic corruption and mismanagement, pointing to the government’s failure to implement previous reform commission proposals, including incorporating business-sector corruption into the Anti-Corruption Commission’s schedule. Experts and civic groups are increasingly warning that corruption, if unchecked, could undermine Bangladesh’s democratic and economic transition, especially as the country approaches the high-stakes national elections in February. The TIB’s recommendations, they say, offer a roadmap for political parties to commit to transparency, accountability, and genuine reform before contesting for power. “If the upcoming government does not prioritise anti-corruption measures, the nation risks perpetuating a cycle of impunity,” Iftekharuzzaman concluded, urging immediate action across all sectors of governance.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a high-profile investigation into allegations that former President Md Abdul Hamid misused state resources for personal gain during his time in office. The probe centers on a lavish beautification and decoration project in Dhaka’s Nikunja-1 residential area, which reportedly cost the state around Tk 240 million. Sources say the work was carried out during Hamid’s two consecutive presidential terms and allegedly benefited him personally. ACC officials have confirmed that the inquiry is at an early stage, but the move marks one of the most significant probes into a former head of state in recent years, raising questions about accountability at the highest levels of government. The complaint also accuses him of illegally acquiring wealth during his time in office. The names of Hamid’s three sons, Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, Rasel Ahmed Tuhin, and Riyad Ahmed Tushar -- have surfaced in the preliminary findings of the investigation. The ACC has formed a three-strong team led by Deputy Director Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury to investigate the allegations. Assistant Director Sajjad Hossain and Deputy Assistant Director Roman Uddin are also part of the team. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed that the commission had initiated a formal inquiry. “A decision has been taken to investigate allegations of Tk 240 million in losses to the state and the acquisition of illegal wealth against Abdul Hamid, former president of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and others, related to a decoration and beautification project in the Nikunja-1 residential area carried out through abuse of power for personal pleasure during his tenure,” he said.