The long exile ends: Tarique Rahman returns home

Tarique enters Gulshan residence

Tarique Rahman reaches his Gulshan residence after nearly nine hours following his return to Dhaka after more than 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom.

He arrived at House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue, adjacent to “Feroza”, the home of his mother Khaleda Zia, around 8:30pm.

Tarique, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, landed at Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45am aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-202.

Following a warm reception, he set off for Purbachal’s 300 Feet Road at 12:30pm with supporters.

The motorcade, swarmed by a sea of supporters, moved at a snail's pace, taking over three hours to reach the venue.

Throughout the journey, Tarique stood at the front of the bus, waving to the thousands of activists who lined both sides of the road to greet him.

Upon reaching the stage, he chose to sit in a standard chair after having a special ceremonial seat removed.

Following brief remarks by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Tarique delivered a 15-minute speech outlining his vision for the nation.

He left the venue at 4:15pm and arrived at Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara Residential Area at 5:50pm.

There, he spent nearly 90 minutes with Khaleda, who is currently receiving treatment at the facility.

The family left the hospital at 7:30pm, navigating further congestion to reach the Gulshan residence an hour later.

The house had been allocated to Khaleda following the death of former president Ziaur Rahman.

Recently, the property documents were officially handed over to the BNP chairperson by Public Works Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan and RAJUK Chairman Riazul Islam Riju.

Nahid hails Tarique’s return

National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam has welcomed BNP Tarique Rahman.

Writing on Facebook on Thursday, he said Tarique’s return will consolidate multi-party democracy and build a culture of coexistence and healthy political competition.

He called it a “positive reflection of Bangladesh's democratic struggle” and added that political rights must be ensured for all citizens.

Nahid, a former advisor to the interim government, also wished Tarique’s role in building the country’s democratic future would be fruitful.

Tarique heads home after seeing mother

Tarique Rahman departed Evercare Hospital and headed for his Gulshan residence after spending around 90 minutes with his mother Khaleda Zia.

His wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman arrived at the hospital at 5:50pm.

Tarique, who reached the hospital shortly after concluding a reception at 300 Feet Road, left in the same vehicle, accompanied by his wife and daughter.

‘Agents of hegemonic forces are plotting’: Tarique

Tarique Rahman said “agents of hegemonic forces” were still engaged in covert plots against Bangladesh, urging patience and vigilance, particularly from the younger generation.

Speaking to the nation at Dhaka’s 300 Feet after returning home from about 18 years in exile in the UK, Tarique called on youth to shoulder the responsibility of leading the country forward. He said Bangladesh must be rebuilt on firm democratic foundations and a strong economic base.

Addressing the crowd, he referred to the recent killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, describing him as a brave member of the “’24 movement” who had sought the establishment of democracy and the restoration of democratic and economic rights for the people.

Tarique said the blood of those martyred in the ’24 movement, including Hadi, those killed in 1971, and victims of enforced disappearances and killings during periods of “autocracy” must not go in vain.

He urged collective action for a “Bangladesh we aspire to build” -- a country shaped together by its people.

Tarique arrives at Evercare to see his mother

Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has reached Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area after a mass reception at the 300 Feet Road, where a sea of people gathered.

His mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been admitted to the hospital since Nov 23.

From the hospital, he is scheduled to go to House No 196 in Gulshan. Adjacent to it is “Feroza”, the residence of Khaleda Zia.

As seen from the airport to the rally venue, large crowds also lined the entire route of Tarqiue’s journey to the hospital, leaving law enforcers struggling to manage supporters.

Tarique opts for ordinary chair on stage

Returning home after nearly 18 years in exile, Tarique Rahman chose to sit on an ordinary chair after removing a special one on the stage where he delivered his speech.

After arriving at Shahjalal International Airport around 11:45am, he was given a warm reception. He then reached the 300 Feet rally venue between 12:30pm and after about three and a quarter hours, delivered his speech, and left for Evercare Hospital to see his mother.

Tarique heads to Evercare Hospital

Tarique Rahman is on his way to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area after a mass reception at the 300 Feet Road, where a huge crowd gathered.

His mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been admitted to the hospital since Nov 23.

After spending about nearly 18 years in exile in the United Kingdom, Tarique arrived at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport around 11:45am on Tuesday. Following a warm reception, he reached the 300 Feet rally venue about three and a quarter hours later.

After delivering a speech of around 15 minutes, the BNP leader left to visit his mother at the hospital.

From Evercare, he is scheduled to go to House No. 196 in Gulshan. Adjacent to it is “Feroza”, the residence of Khaleda.

People want their right to speak restored: Tarique

Tarique Rahman called for collective efforts to build a “safe Bangladesh”, saying people want their right to speak and their democratic rights restored.

He said Bangladeshis want fair rights based on merit.

“We want to build the Bangladesh a mother dreams of -- a safe country,” he said, adding that everyone, regardless of gender or age, should be able to leave home and return safely.

Urging unity, he said the time had come to rebuild the country together, stressing inclusion across communities -- from hill tracts to plains -- and among people of all faiths, including Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.

‘I have a plan': Tarique

Standing on the stage before a massive crowd in Purbachal on his return to Bangladesh after nearly 18 years, BNP leader Tarique Rahman invoked Martin Luther King Jr’s famous words, telling supporters: “I have a plan”.

Referring to the public’s aspiration for democracy, he said democratic norms and practices must be established in Bangladesh and stressed that this would require a collective effort.

“Dear brothers and sisters, you’ve heard the name Martin Luther King, haven’t you? He had a famous line: ‘I have a dream’. Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, before all of you, I want to say as a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party — ‘I have a plan’, for the people of my country, for my country,” he said.

Tarique explained that the plan was aimed at serving the people’s interests, driving development and changing the fortunes of ordinary citizens. He stressed that turning it into reality would require broad public support.

“If this plan and these actions are to be implemented, then I will need the cooperation of every person present in this sea of people, and of all those who represent the democratic forces across Bangladesh. If you stand by us and support us, inshallah, we will be able to implement this plan.”

Tarique begins address at homecoming rally

Tarique Rahman has begun addressing supporters at the reception rally on the 300 Feet Road after reaching the venue more than three hours after leaving the airport.

He stepped onto the stage around 3:50pm.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke first, followed by Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, before Tarique started his speech — his first public address in Bangladesh after 17 years in exile.

After the reception programme, Tarique is scheduled to visit Evercare Hospital, where his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been receiving treatment since Nov 23. He is expected to later head to his Gulshan residence.

Crowds gather outside Evercare Hospital

After the reception programme on the 300 Feet Road, Tarique Rahman is expected to visit his mother Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara, where she is receiving treatment.

Large numbers of party leaders and activists have gathered outside the hospital, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Security has been tightened in the area, with police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel deployed to manage the crowds.

Tarique takes the stage at homecoming reception

Tarique Rahman has stepped onto the stage at the reception programme organised by the BNP on the 300 Feet Road in Purbachal to mark his return home after 17 years in exile.

Greeted by sustained applause and cheers from a sea of supporters, the BNP acting chairman appeared on stage around 3:52pm, more than three hours after leaving the airport.

Tarique arrived in Dhaka shortly before noon on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

He was received by senior BNP leaders at the airport’s VIP Lounge and later thanked Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus by phone for the security and logistical arrangements.

He then set off in a bus decorated in party colours towards the reception venue, waving to supporters lining the route from Kuril to Purbachal.

Tarique’s return will fill political ‘vacuum’: press secy

Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said the return of BNP leader Tarique Rahman will help fill a political “vacuum” in Bangladesh and make the country’s democratic transition smoother.

“We welcome him. He is the leader of Bangladesh’s largest party, and his return will have a positive impact. There is a genuine political vacuum in the country, and his arrival will help fill that. With a major election ahead and the country going through a democratic transition, we hope this transition will now be smoother,” he said on Thursday.

Asked about Tarique's security, Shafiqul said the BNP was overseeing it, adding that the government was providing all assistance requested.

'Tarique must change his lifestyle': Shahidul Alam

Photographer Shahidul Alam has called on BNP leader Tarique Rahman to make significant changes to his lifestyle if he is to help build a “new Bangladesh”.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, shared amid Tarique Rahman’s return after years in exile, Shahidul drew comparisons with international leaders he has encountered.

He recalled seeing former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad moving without visible security, and Norway’s former prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik washing his own plate at a school event.

Shahidul noted, however, that Bangladesh’s context is different, citing the country’s entrenched VIP culture and security concerns that keep leaders distant from the public.

Photographer Shahidul Alam has called on BNP leader Tarique Rahman to make significant changes to his lifestyle if he is to help build a “new Bangladesh”.

In a Facebook post around 1:30pm on Thursday, shared amid Tarique Rahman’s return after years in exile, Shahidul Alam drew comparisons with international leaders he has encountered.

He recalled seeing former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad moving without visible security, and Norway’s former prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik washing his own plate at a school event.

Shahidul Alam noted, however, that Bangladesh’s context is different, citing the country’s entrenched VIP culture and security concerns that keep leaders distant from the public.

"Tarique Rahman will have to make major changes to his lifestyle in the days to come," he wrote.

Zubaida, Zaima arrive at Gulshan home

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have reached their residence in Gulshan after arriving in Dhaka from London.

The BNP said on its verified Facebook page that the vehicle carrying Zubaida and Zaima reached House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue around 2:30pm on Thursday.

A video shared by the party showed Tarique’s mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, accompanying them as they arrived at the house.

The residence stands next to “Feroza”, the Gulshan home of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.