Follow our live coverage as our reporters and photographers are sending real-time updates from different spots
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has returned to Dhaka from London today after 17 years in exile.
Follow our live coverage below as our reporters and photographers are sending real-time updates from different spots-
4:30pm
After his speech, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has left the reception venue and is heading towards Evercare Hospital to see his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He left the venue in Dhaka's Purbachal around 4:30pm.
Tarique's vehicle has been moving slowly through the crowd.
4:10pm
Tarique Rahman today said he has a plan for Bangladesh. The acting chairman of BNP was addressing a sea of people at the 300-feet area in Dhaka, where a reception is being held for him.
"American civil rights activist Martin Luther King, in a public speech, said, 'I have a dream.' Like him, I want to say, I have a plan for Bangladesh,"
As Tarique began his speech, the massive crowd erupted in applause.
3:54pm
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman took the stage at the public reception for him in the 300-feet area of Dhaka's Purbachal at 3:54pm.
Earlier, at 3:50pm, he got down from the bus and proceeded towards the stage, with members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the army cordoning him and assisting his movement.
It took over three hours for Tarique to reach the reception from Dhaka airport.
BNP Standing Committee members and leaders of ally parties were present on the stage.
As the bus carrying Tarique reached the stage, slogans were raised.
Earlier, after entering the 300-feet road, security personnel struggled to control the crowd.
After delivering his speech, Tarique is scheduled to visit Evercare Hospital to see his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment there.
2:55pm
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman reached near the main stage of the public reception programme at Purbachal's 300-feet area at around 2:40pm.
He is scheduled to deliver a speech from the main stage.
Members of the security forces formed a cordon around the bus carrying Tarique and escorted it slowly towards the stage.
Owing to the huge turnout of party leaders and activists, the vehicle moved at a very slow pace.
Standing at the front of the bus, Tarique repeatedly waved and offered salutations to the assembled supporters.
As the bus came into view, leaders and activists began chanting slogans of "Tarique Zia," filling the area with chants.
It took more than two hours for Tarique to reach the stage area from the airport.
Photo: Rashed Shumon
1:30pm
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman expressed his gratitude to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for the interim government's initiatives to ensure the security of him and his family members.
12:56pm
Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman reached their residence at house no. 196 in Dhaka's Gulshan area around 12:55pm today, according to sources.
12:35pm
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Dhaka airport amid tight security. He left the airport at 12:33pm after a reception from members of the BNP Standing Committee members.
He took a handful of soil after stepping out of the airport barefoot.
He is heading towards the July 36 Expressway, also known as the 300-Feet Road, in a special bulletproof bus painted red and green.
Photo: Rashed Shumon
11:53am
Tarique Rahman, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, was received at the airport by senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, among others.
Mother-in-law and sister-in-law of Tarique welcomed the family at the VIP lounge of HSIA at 11:56am.
11:42am
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned home from London today with his wife and daughter, bringing an end to his 17-year exile.
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying them landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport via Sylhet in Dhaka around at 11:42am.
11:15am
Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG202 departed Sylhet's Osmani International Airport for Dhaka at 11:12am following a stopover of just over an hour in Sylhet.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took off on schedule for the final leg to the capital, Biman's Sylhet station manager Shakil Ahmed said.
The aircraft had earlier arrived in Sylhet at around 10:00am.
10:20am
Tarique Rahman returns home after 17 years
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying him made a stopover at Sylhet's Osmani International Airport before arriving in Dhaka around 9:58am.
"In Bangladeshi skies after 6,314 long days," Tarique wrote to his verified Facebook profile around 9:30am.
The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50am.
10:15am
Bulletproof bus arrives at Dhaka airport
A bulletproof vehicle has already been taken to the airport for his movement. Photo: Md Abbas
A bulletproof bus arrived at the CIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this morning amid heightened security ahead of the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
The specially prepared bus, painted red and green, features large portraits of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and party founder Ziaur Rahman on its sides. Slogans highlighting democracy and political struggle are also displayed on the vehicle.
The bus has reinforced windows, and security personnel were seen surrounding it as it entered the airport's CIP area.
Senior BNP leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tarique is likely to board the bus and head directly to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother after completing airport formalities.
They added that he is scheduled to deliver a brief speech at a gathering on the July 36 Expressway, also known as the 300 Feet Road, on the way to the hospital.
Security in and around the airport has been tightened, with members of the army, police, Rab and other law enforcement agencies deployed to ensure safety during his movement.
Photo: BNP Media Cell
Tarique Rahman reached London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night around 9:30pm (Bangladesh time). Leaders and activists of the UK BNP were present with him and saw him off up to the airport's security perimeter. He completed immigration formalities and boarded the flight shortly after. The aircraft departed for Dhaka around 12:30am.
He is travelling with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. Around 50 leaders and activists of the party are also returning to Bangladesh on the same flight.
According to BNP sources, after landing, Tarique will stay briefly at the airport's VIP lounge "Rajnigandha" before heading by road to the reception venue set up at the 300 Feet area via Kuril. He is expected to address the gathering there and remain until 3:40pm.
From the 300 Feet area, he will proceed through the Bashundhara G Block gate to Evercare Hospital, where he is scheduled to spend about an hour from 4:10pm beside his ailing mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Later, he will return to his residence in Gulshan.
Photo: Amran Hossain
Meanwhile, citing security concerns, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has restricted visitor entry to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport until 6:00pm yesterday. Security has been tightened in and around the airport, and SWAT teams have been placed on standby.
To welcome their leader, large crowds have gathered on the July 36 Expressway since early morning.
Photo: Palash Khan
Braving the cold weather, thousands spent the night at the venue hoping to catch a glimpse of him. As the day progressed, the expressway became packed with people arriving from different parts of the country by bus, train and launch. Leaders and activists from nearby areas also joined the gathering in processions.
Photo: Prabir Das
Photo: Prabir Das
