Former BNP leader and ex-State Minister for Home Affairs, Lutfozzaman Babar, has been hospitalized in Dubai after experiencing severe breathing difficulties while en route to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

His personal assistant, Mirza Haider Ali, informed the media about the incident.

He stated, "Sir was traveling from Dhaka to Madinah on an Emirates Airlines flight when he suddenly suffered from acute respiratory distress. Upon landing in Dubai, he was rushed to a clinic near the airport, where doctors advised immediate hospitalization after initial tests."

Haider further added that Babar is currently admitted to a hospital in Dubai, receiving treatment under close medical supervision.

Babar’s eldest son is also by his side in the hospital.

On Thursday (January 30) at 6 PM, Babar, accompanied by his son Labib Ibn Zaman, departed for Madinah on an Emirates Airlines flight.

Earlier that day, his wife and other family members had traveled to Madinah on a separate flight. They only learned about Babar’s hospitalization upon their arrival in Madinah.

The family had planned to visit Madinah first before proceeding to Makkah for Umrah.

Babar’s family has requested prayers from the nation and party members for his swift recovery.

Notably, after being released from prison after 17 years, Babar was hospitalized at United Hospital in Gulshan on January 20 due to chest pain. He was kept under intensive medical care in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for several days.

Lutfozzaman Babar was released from prison on January 16 after being acquitted of all charges against him.