Dhaka: BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, visited her ailing mother, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, a Swadhinata Padak recipient social worker, at a hospital in Panthapath in the capital this evening. Iqbal Mand Banu has been undergoing treatment at the private hospital since May 2, BNP media cell member Atiqur Rahman Ruman stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Zubaida Rahman’s visit to her mother marked the first time she had seen her in person in 17 years, due to living abroad with her husband, Tarique Rahman. Ruman noted that Zubaida was accompanied by her family members and expressed excitement upon seeing her mother, presenting her with a bouquet.
Zubaida Rahman returned home today with her mother-in-law, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who had been in London for medical treatment since early January. Zubaida and her husband left the country on September 11, 2008, following the one-eleven changeover, during which the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Tarique Rahman and filed a case against him, Zubaida, and Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, a Dhaka court sentenced Zubaida Rahman to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Tk 3.5 million. Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, known for her work with underprivileged children through the ‘Suravi Foundation,’ has been suffering from various age-related health issues. Her contributions to social work were recognized with the Swadhinata Padak in 1995.