Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and heir to the influential Zia family, returned home on Thursday, ending
his nearly 17 years in exile in London. Rahman's return to Dhaka comes at a crucial moment with former prime minister Zia ailing and largely absent from active politics, and Bangladesh gripped by waves of violence and political unrest.
Who is Tarique Rahman
Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of BNP and the eldest son of former Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman and former PM Khaleda Zia, had been living in exile in London since 2008.
Rahman has been in London since 2008. He initially went to the UK for his medical treatment while legal procedures were underway against him on several criminal and graft cases. One such case is of masterminding a grenade attack in 2004 on the then-opposition leader, Sheikh Hasina, and her party leaders. Following his treatment, Rahman preferred to stay in London during the subsequent Awami League governments to possibly to evade punitive actions.
High Alert in Dhaka
The law enforcement agencies remain on high alert at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ahead of Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh. "We have taken both covert and overt security measures as part of our enhanced vigil over his return,” Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch chief Nazrul Islam told reporters.
According to reports, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus has ordered an intensified security presence coinciding with Rahman’s return.
"This will be a defining political moment,” BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said while referring to the return of Rahman, who is the elder son of Zia.
Tarique Rahman's 3-Day Schedule
Day 1 | Arrival Day
• Reception near Dhaka Airport (300 Feet Area)
• Visit to Evercare Hospital to Meet Khaleda Zia
• Returns to Gulshan Residence Via Airport Road
Day 2 | Friday
• Visit to Ziaur Rahman’s Grave After Jumma Prayers
• Pays Homage at National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar
Day 3 | Saturday
• NID & Voter Registration Formalities
• Visit to the Grave of Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka University
• To Meet Injured July Movement Activists at Nitor
Notably, Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former premier Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming February general elections. Zia and Hasina alternated in power since 1991, apart from brief transition administrations.
