BNP Chief Tarique Rahman to Return to Dhaka After 17 Years in Exile

Dhaka: After 17 years in exile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka on Thursday, with the party making extensive preparations to welcome him. According to bdnews24, citing party sources, Rahman—son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia—departed London on Wednesday (local time) aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. He is accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman. The flight is scheduled to stop in Sylhet before landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 11:20 am local time. Leaders and activists of the BNP’s UK unit accompanied Rahman to the airport to see him off. In Bangladesh, BNP leaders and supporters have made elaborate arrangements to welcome their acting chief. Senior party leaders, including Standing Committee members, are expected to receive him at the airport, followed by a brief reception programme. To manage the anticipated crowd, airport authorities imposed a 24-hour ban on visitors at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to officials, the restriction is in effect from 6:00 pm on December 24 to 6:00 pm on December 25, allowing entry only to passengers with valid tickets and passports. Bangladesh’s interim government is also taking security measures ahead of Rahman’s return. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, said the government welcomed Rahman’s return and is coordinating with the BNP to finalise security arrangements. Following his arrival, Rahman will attend a short reception organised by the party on the 300 Feet Road, also known as the 36 July Expressway, where he is expected to deliver a brief address. He will later visit Evercare Hospital and then proceed to his residence at Gulshan Avenue in Dhaka. During his visit, Rahman is also scheduled to register himself as a voter on December 27. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said election offices will remain open to facilitate the process, including issuance of a national identity card. Meanwhile, nomination papers have been collected in Bogura on behalf of both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Khaleda Zia’s nomination was collected from the Bogura-7 constituency, while Tarique Rahman’s was obtained from Bogura-6, according to bdnews24.



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