Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, widely regarded as a leading contender for the prime minister’s post, is set to return to Dhaka on Thursday, ending more than 17 years in exile in what the party has described as a historic and emotionally charged moment.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said Tarique will depart London’s Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Wednesday evening, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, senior journalist Saleh Shibly, and three personal aides.
The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning. Tarique will address supporters briefly at a public reception on the 300 Feet Road (July 36 Expressway) before visiting his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. He will then return to his residence in the Gulshan area.
On Friday, Tarique is scheduled to visit the grave of his father, former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, and pay tribute at the National Memorial. On Saturday, he will register as a voter, visit the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, and meet those injured in the July 2024 uprising at NITOR (Pangu Hospital).
Speaking earlier in London, Tarique said: “With your prayers, I will return to the country on the 25th. I request everyone not to go to the airport that day.” Authorities have enforced tight security, with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BNP jointly coordinating arrangements. Drone operations have been banned around airports, while Bangladesh Railway will operate 20 pairs of special trains on 10 routes to manage the expected surge of supporters.