Dhaka: After a prolonged 17-year absence, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s elder daughter-in-law, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, returned home today. She had left for London on September 11, 2008, with her husband, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Zubaida Rahman faced hostility from the deposed autocratic Awami League government, which prevented her from returning home for 17 years. During this period, she resided in London with her husband, Tarique Rahman, and their only child, Zaima Rahman.
Accompanying Zubaida Rahman on her return were Khaleda Zia’s younger son, the late Arafat Rahman’s wife, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, and the three-time former prime minister herself, who returned to Bangladesh after four months of medical treatment at the London Clinic.
The group arrived at Khaleda Zia’s Feroza residence in the city around 1:25 pm, following their arrival at Shahjalal International Airport at approximately 10:43 am via a special air ambulance from the Qatari royal family.
BNP media cell member Shyrul Kabir Khan confirmed that Zubaida Rahman is currently staying at Feroza with her mother-in-law, Begum Khaleda Zia. She is expected to move to her father’s house in Dhanmondi, known as ‘Mahbub Bhaban,’ which belonged to her late father, former Navy Chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan. Preparations are underway to welcome her at her ancestral home, where she will stay with her ailing mother.
Zubaida Rahman holds an MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College and an MSc in Medicine from Imperial College, London. She stood first in the Civil Service (BCS) examination for doctors and joined the government service as a physician in 1995. However, after leaving for London on education leave in 2008, the Ministry of Health dismissed her for not returning to work despite an extension of her leave.
During her time in London, Zubaida Rahman engaged in humanitarian activities through the Ziaur Rahman Foundation.