Tarique Rahman Leaves London for Bangladesh After 17 Years

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, arrived at Heathrow Airport in London around 4pm local time (around 10pm Bangladesh time) on Wednesday, 24 December 2025.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at Heathrow Airport in London on Wednesday, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman, ahead of their return to Bangladesh.

The family entered the airport around 4:00pm local time and are scheduled to depart London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight shortly after midnight. The flight is expected to take off at 6:15pm London time and land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45am on Thursday.

This marks Tarique Rahman’s return home after 17 years in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. Following his arrival in Dhaka, his first priority will be to visit his ailing mother, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Given the anticipated presence of a large number of party leaders, activists and supporters, Tarique Rahman is expected to briefly address the public on his way to the hospital. A short gathering has been planned in the capital’s 300 Feet area, where he will deliver a brief message of gratitude before proceeding directly to the hospital. He is expected to return to his Gulshan residence later.

Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 after being released from jail following the political changes that began in 2007. He travelled to the UK for medical treatment with his family and has remained there since.

To mark his return, thousands of supporters from different parts of the country are gathering in Dhaka on Thursday.