BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman lands in Bangladesh after 17 years in exile

Dhaka: After spending 17 years in exile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, returns to Dhaka on Thursday, in what is expected to be a major political event in the country's history after the ousting of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year during the July Uprising. Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter, Zaima Rahman, arrived from London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, bdnews24 reported. The flight made a stop in Sylhet before heading to Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A massive crowd has also gathered near the airport and along the 300-foot road, where BNP leaders and activists are preparing a grand reception to welcome the party's acting chief.

Supporters from across the country have assembled since morning, turning the area into a sea of people. BNP party workers had made elaborate arrangements to welcome their acting chief. Senior party leaders, including members of the Standing Committee, are expected to receive him at the airport, followed by a brief reception programme, bdnews24 reported. To manage the crowd, airport authorities imposed a 24-hour ban on visitors at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ahead of Rahman's return. According to bdnews24, officials in a statement said that the restriction will remain in force from 6:00 pm on December 24 until 6:00 pm on December 25. During this period, entry to the airport will be permitted only for passengers holding valid tickets and passports, and all other visitors and accompanying persons will be barred from the airport premises. Bangladesh's interim government is also implementing the necessary measures to protect the BNP Acting Chairman.

According to Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Shafiqul Alam, the government welcomed Rahman's return to the country, adding that security preparations are being finalised in coordination with the BNP, with authorities working to accommodate all requests made by the party, bdnews24 reported. In a press conference on Wednesday, Alam said that the government is making "every effort" to ensure adequate security. Following his arrival, Rahman will attend a short reception organised by the party on the 300 Feet Road, also known as the 36 July Expressway, bdnews24 reported. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, convenor of the "Tarique Homecoming Committee", said the programme on the 300 Feet Road would include a brief address by the Acting Chairman. Following this, he will visit Evercare Hospital and later move to his residence at Gulshan Avenue in Dhaka, bdnews24 reported. During his visit, Rahman is also scheduled to register himself as a voter on December 27, bdnews24 reported, citing Salahuddin Ahmed. He stated that the election offices would remain open on Saturday, enabling Rahman to complete the necessary formalities, including obtaining his national identity card. Meanwhile, nomination forms have already been collected in Bogura on behalf of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, bdnews24 reported. According to BNP Bogura district unit president Rezaul Karim Badsha, Khaleda Zia's nomination paper was collected from the Bogura-7 constituency, while Tarique Rahman's nomination paper was obtained from the Bogura-6 constituency. Former lawmaker Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu collected the nomination paper for Khaleda Zia, while Badsha collected the form on behalf of Tarique Rahman, bdnews24 reported.