The government has declared BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia a 'Very Important Person' (VIP). Consequently, the Special Security Force (SSF) is being appointed to provide special security to the former Prime Minister.

A gazette notification to this effect was issued by the Chief Adviser's Office on Monday (December 1).

The notification was signed by Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Director General (Administration) of the Chief Adviser's Office, by order of the President.

The notification states: "In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 2(a) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021, the government hereby declares former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as a 'Very Important Person'. This shall take effect immediately."

It is worth noting that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for the past few days due to various complications related to old age.