Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman confirmed that he would return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending more than 17 years of stay in the United Kingdom.
His announcement came on Tuesday while he was speaking at a discussion meeting organised by the party’s UK unit at The City Pavilion Hall in London, marking Victory Day.
‘I have spent nearly 18 years with you. Over time, at different events, I have met with many people and built countless memories with you, sharing both joys and hardships,’ he said.
‘By the grace of Allah, and with your prayers, I will return home on December 25,’ Tarique stated.
He urged party leaders and supporters not to see him off at the Heathrow Airport in London, warning that large gatherings could lead to chaos, harming the images of both Bangladesh and the party.
He expressed gratitude to expatriate Bangladeshis, particularly those who support nationalist politics, for standing by him and his family during difficult times and offering moral support over the years.
Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had previously been sentenced in several cases, including a life term, and faced numerous other charges, most of which were filed during the 2007–08 military-backed caretaker government.
He was arrested during an anti-corruption drive in March 2007 and released on bail in September 2008, after which he travelled to London for medical treatment on September 11, 2008, and remained there.
Following the fall of Awami League’s 16-year rule in a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, the High Court acquitted him of all cases filed during both the caretaker government period and the Awami League administration, clearing the legal obstacles to his return.
Earlier on Friday, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in Dhaka city that Tarique Rahman was scheduled to return to Bangladesh on December 25.
Senior BNP leaders, meanwhile, confirmed that Tarique would reside at House 196 on Gulshan Avenue.
The house was allocated to Khaleda Zia after the 1981 assassination of then president Ziaur Rahman, following a unanimous decision by the cabinet led by then president Justice Abdus Sattar.
A few months ago, the property documents were formally handed over to the BNP chairperson by public works adviser Adilur Rahman Khan.
Separate office chambers had been prepared for Tarique at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, alongside similar arrangements at the party central office at Nayapaltan.
In addition, another house has been rented in Gulshan to coordinate activities related to the next national parliamentary election.
On Tuesday afternoon, the BNP announced a national reel-making competition to mark Tarique Rahman’s return at a press conference held at the party’s new office on Road 90 in Gulshan, addressed by Mahadi Amin, an adviser to the acting chairperson.
Earlier on Monday, a joint meeting of BNP and its affiliated organisations was held at the chairperson’s Gulshan office, chaired by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, where preparations for Tarique Rahman’s return were discussed in details.
The party’s media cell on Wednesday confirmed that the party has formed a committee for Tarique’s welcome, with standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed as chair and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as member secretary.
Retired Brigadier General AKM Shamsul Islam, meanwhile, has been appointed chief security officer to oversee the safety of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, Rizvi announced in a press release.
