DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also ruling Awami League president, returned without visiting BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia as she was “sleeping” as per the advice of her physician.

The premier reached at Khaleda’s political office at Gulshan in the city around 8:30pm Saturday but failed to meet Khaleda.

Earlier, special assistant to the BNP chief Advocate Shimul Biswas told journalists that she (Khaleda) was sleeping after her personal doctors advised her to sleep.

He also told journalists that they (BNP) would communicate Prime Minister Office (PMO) later.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and Adviser to PM Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury accompanied Hasina. 

Shimul Biswas, in a press briefing, pleaded the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who wanted to meet Khaleda Zia and console her, to come later.
   
He also said that they would fix a time of meeting of two leaders.

Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, died at a hospital in Malaysia.

In May 2009, Khaleda Zia, then Leader of the Opposition in parliament, rushed to Sudha Sadan to stand beside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and convey her condolence on the death of Dr MA Wazed Miah, husband of Hasina.

BDST: 2120 HRS, JAN 24, 2015