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Former President Mohammad Shahabuddin, who resigned from office citing health reasons, is set to leave Bangabhaban on Sunday and move to his residence in Gulshan before travelling abroad for medical treatment.
Speaking to Samakal on Saturday, Shahabuddin said he plans to travel to Singapore or Bangkok for treatment. He said doctors at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) had advised him to seek specialised medical care overseas due to his deteriorating health.
The former president said his wife, Rebecca Sultana, is also unwell and will accompany him on the trip.
Shahabuddin stepped down from the presidency last Saturday, citing multiple health complications. In his resignation letter, he said he has been suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney-related complications. Following a recent bypass surgery, he was also diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a condition that occasionally causes him to lose consciousness for short periods.
He said preparations for leaving Bangabhaban had been underway for several days, with his personal belongings already moved to his Gulshan residence. Renovation and cleaning work at the house has also been completed.
Mohammad Shahabuddin was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 22nd President on April 24, 2023.
Under the Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament serves as acting president until a new head of state is elected. Accordingly, Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is currently performing the duties of acting president.
New President Likely to Be Elected in September
Speaking to reporters in Sherpur, Bogura, on Saturday after an annual planning conference of the Rural Development Academy, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir saidFormer President Mohammad ShFormer President Mohammad Sh theFormer President Mohammad Sh party’s policymaking forum would decide whether to nominate a BNP leader or an external candidate for the presidency.
He said the decision would be finalised following discussions at the party’s standing committee in line with the Constitution and relevant laws.
Meanwhile, speaking at an event at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman said the Constitution requires the election of a new president within 90 days of the resignation.
He noted that Parliament is expected to convene within the next 60 days, expressing hope that the presidential election would be discussed and resolved during the next parliamentary session. Therefore, he said, there is no need to convene a special session of Parliament at this stage.