Mirza Abbas Returns to Parliament After Months Abroad, Says He Has ‘Returned to the People’
BNP lawmaker and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas made an emotional return to the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday after nearly five months of medical treatment abroad, saying he had “returned to the people” to serve Bangladesh.
DHAKA — BNP lawmaker and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas returned to parliament Thursday after months of treatment abroad, delivering an emotional speech and asking for prayers for the strength to continue serving his constituency and the country.
Abbas entered the chamber at 3:50 p.m. in a wheelchair and was welcomed by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Members of Parliament greeted the veteran politician by thumping their desks.
Because of his wheelchair, Abbas could not take his usual seat in the front row and was accommodated in an adjacent space in the chamber.
After Asr prayers, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal allowed Abbas to speak during the session on private members’ resolutions. Using the microphone of BNP Standing Committee member Amanullah Aman, Abbas began his remarks by thanking fellow lawmakers.
“I have returned to the people, to work for them and for Bangladesh,” Abbas said, describing the moment as deeply emotional and historic in his political life.
“After nearly two decades, I have once again had the opportunity to speak in this sacred chamber as a member of parliament. There can be no greater joy or pride,” he said.
Abbas also thanked the president, the prime minister and officials at the Prime Minister’s Office for regularly checking on him during his illness.
He asked the nation to pray for his recovery and strength so he could devote the rest of his life to serving his constituency and Bangladesh with dedication and integrity.
A veteran BNP politician, Abbas was previously elected from the Dhaka-6 constituency in 1991 and 2001. He served as housing and public works minister during the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006 and was also mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation.
Abbas was elected from Dhaka-8 in the Feb. 12 parliamentary election and took the oath of office on Feb. 17. The same day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman appointed him an adviser with the rank of minister and later assigned him as political adviser.
However, Abbas fell seriously ill on the eve of parliament’s first session. On March 11, he collapsed during an iftar gathering and was rushed to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He underwent brain surgery two days later.
On March 15, Abbas was flown by air ambulance to Singapore General Hospital for further treatment. He was transferred to Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia on April 14 for physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
After nearly five months of treatment abroad, Abbas returned to Bangladesh on Wednesday and made his first appearance in parliament the following day.
His return marked an emotional moment for the veteran politician, who said he was determined to continue his long political career in service of the people and the country.
