Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, ends his 17-year self-imposed exile on December 25, 2025. He arrives in Dhaka from London, greeted by massive crowds of supporters. Moreover, his homecoming sparks both excitement among BNP workers and cautious optimism in India amid regional uncertainties.
Dramatic Arrival and Emotional Homecoming
Rahman lands at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter barrister Zaima. He immediately embarks on a grand roadshow to his residence, drawing an estimated 50 lakh (5 million) BNP supporters. In his first address on Bangladeshi soil, Rahman invokes Martin Luther King Jr., declaring, “I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country.” He emphasizes unity across religions, stating, “People of various religions, including Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus, live here. We want to build a Bangladesh together.” Additionally, he outlines a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy: “Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything.”
Background of Exile and Legal Clearances
Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after facing arrest and alleged torture in 2007. During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, courts convicted him in absentia in cases like the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack, which BNP claims were politically motivated. However, over the past year, courts acquitted him in all major cases, paving the way for his return. Consequently, this clears his path to lead BNP into the February 2026 elections.
Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years in Exile