The interim government on Tuesday declared critically ill three-time prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chair Begum Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’.

The highest official status has been awarded to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chair to facilitate her smooth treatment in hospitals and ensure security and travel privileges for her.

 The decision has been taken at a special meeting of the council of advisers at the state guest house Jamuna with chief adviser professor  Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

‘Instructions have been given to all agencies concerned for the immediate implementation of the decision,’ said planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud at a press briefing in front of Jamuna after the meeting.

Following the decision, the Special Security Force and the President’s Guard Regiment were deployed at Evercare Hospital on Tuesday afternoon for the security of Khaleda.

At least seven SSF officers, along with PGR officers, took charge of Khaleda’s security at 2:20pm on the day in accordance with the VVIP protocol, said several BNP leaders.

PGR members have positioned themselves in front of the hospital’s car park, while senior officers of the unit have been stationed on the fourth floor near Khaleda›s cabin.

Wahiduddin at the press briefing also said, ‘Today a special meeting of the council of advisers was held at the state guest house Jamuna with the honourable chief adviser in the chair.’

‘In the meeting, prayers were offered for the quick recovery of Begum Khaleda Zia, the three-time former prime minister, wife of a former president, and the BNP chairperson while the nation has been requested to pray for her recovery,’ he said.

He further said, ‘Considering Begum Khaleda Zia’s current physical condition, the meeting decided to declare her a VVIP of the state for the smooth treatment in hospitals, possible plans to take her abroad for advanced treatment, ensuring her security and travel arrangements, and in light of her high status.’

He said that Khaleda Zia’s family and her party have also been informed about the decision.

Neither planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud nor law adviser Asif Nazrul, who was present at the briefing, took any question from reporters in this regard.

However, officials of the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed that no gazette notification was issued in this regard till filing of the report at 8:15 pm.

 On the night of November 23, the 79-year-old former prime minister was taken to Evercare Hospital for a health check-up, but after a chest infection was detected, she was admitted there.

 However, Khaleda’s condition deteriorated around 3:30am on Monday, and she has since been kept under special care at the hospital in Dhaka.