Suspending prison sentence of Khaleda Zia for six months on condition, giving way to her release is undoubtedly a well-judged decision that the government has taken at this moment of national crisis. The suspension has come through an executive order as per Section 401 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Bangladesh is seriously threatened with an outbreak of COVID-19 now ravaging many countries as a global pandemic. Khaleda Zia has already been in BSSMU hospital’s prison cell for various health complications. For a long time, the BNP made a legal battle to find bail for its most popular leader, but failed. Last time her family members wrote a letter to the home ministry requesting for her release. In reaction, the home ministry replied that it had no jurisdiction to do so.

But soon the countrywide spread of coronavirus has become real, and in response Bangladesh government has taken some drastic steps including shutting down of all mass communication networks, ordering 10-day general leave for government and private employees, and extending the period of closure of educational institutions up to April 9. The army has deployed all over the country in aid of the civil administration to help social distancing and quarantine efforts of the government.

At this critical time, the order of release of Khaleda Zia brought a whiff of fresh air in the national politics also. The order is a humane one, to say the least. The government has now to fight coronavirus outbreak unitedly and must become successful in this fight without any great loss to the nation in terms of lives and economy. For this, the spiteful division of politics in the country would not be helpful. The authorities now have to work with all spectrums of parties and people. The nation is facing a crisis moment and it is time for national unity.

The BNP is happy over release of Khaleda Zia. With her release, the nation is also assured that the government has taken the fight against coronavirus seriously. Contrary to what many may think, her release is directly related to this fight. Generation of national unity is crucially important at this moment.

It is expected that Khaleda Zia - and her party BNP – would abide by the conditions of release, she would stay at home and receive medical treatment and would lend government the necessary support in its fight against the threat of virus outbreak deemed to be one not faced by the mankind in the last century.