Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman embarked on a visit to Evercare Hospital to see his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, following his participation in a public event at the 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman received a warm reception upon his arrival from London at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, accompanied by the party’s standing committee members, led the welcoming at the airport’s VVIP lounge. Tarique Rahman greeted them with a smile and handshake, engaging with BNP members present at the airport and acknowledging their presence with a wave.
His mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, greeted him with a bouquet of flowers, while his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman, stood by his side. After completing airport procedures, Tarique Rahman traveled to the 36 Expressway venue, escorted by tight security. He expressed his emotions by touching the soil barefoot and holding a fistful of it to his nose before making his way to the public event.
A motorcade accompanied Tarique Rahman’s bus to the venue, where he was met with enthusiastic chants from millions of supporters lining the airport road. The atmosphere resembled a festive celebration, with activists waving the national flag, displaying the party symbol, and performing with drums. Slogans such as “Tarique Rahman Asche, Ma-Mati Dakche” reverberated through the crowd, creating an extraordinary scene.
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in the UK, arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40 am on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Dr. Md Shafiqur Rahman, Biman’s Managing Director and CEO, confirmed that the flight made a brief stopover at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport before reaching Dhaka. The journey from London’s Heathrow Airport began at 6:15 pm (London Time) and marked the end of his long exile.