PM stands by ailing wife of BNP leader Mahbub

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has extended support to Papia Akhter Rina, the ailing wife of late BNP leader Anwar Hossain Mahbub of Lalbagh in the capital, who died in custody in 2016.

On the instructions of the BNP chairman, BNP Health Affairs Assistant Secretary Dr Parvez Reza Kakon and orthopedic surgeon Dr Shah M Aman Ullah visited Papia Akhter Rina at Anwar Khan Modern Hospital on Tuesday, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon said.

He said Mahbub was the Joint Secretary of Ward No. 23 of Lalbagh in Dhaka and died in custody in 2016.

Rumon said Prime Minister directed him to inquire about Rina's treatment. Acting on the directive, the BNP representatives visited her at the hospital and assured necessary support for her medical care.

'Amra BNP Paribar' Member Secretary Krishibid Mokchedul Momin Mithun, members Masud Rana Liton and Shakil Ahmed, former general secretary of BUET Chhatra Dal unit Engineer Abu Hanif, and Dhaka College Chhatra Dal member Abdullah Al Misbah, among others, were present during the visit.

Anwar Hossain Mahbub, a leader of Lalbagh Thana BNP, was arrested in a false case during the ousted Hasina government. He fell ill after being taken on remand and was subsequently sent to jail. Later, he was admitted to Dhaka Medical College, where he died on February 16, 2016 while undergoing treatment.