Dhaka

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh on Thursday after spending 17 years in exile, with the party and authorities making extensive preparations ahead of his arrival.

According to bdnews24, citing party sources, Rahman—son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia—boarded a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London on Wednesday (local time), accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

The flight is scheduled to make a stopover in Sylhet before landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 11:20 am (local time). Leaders and activists of the BNP’s UK unit accompanied him to the airport.

In Bangladesh, senior BNP leaders, including members of the party’s Standing Committee, are expected to receive Rahman at the airport, followed by a brief reception programme. To manage the anticipated crowd, airport authorities imposed a 24-hour ban on visitors at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from 6:00 pm on December 24 to 6:00 pm on December 25, allowing entry only to ticketed passengers.

The interim government has welcomed Rahman’s return and assured security arrangements. Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, said authorities are coordinating with the BNP to ensure adequate protection.

Following his arrival, Rahman will attend a short reception on the 300 Feet Road, also known as the 36 July Expressway, where he is expected to briefly address supporters. He will later visit Evercare Hospital before proceeding to his residence in Gulshan.

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Rahman is also scheduled to register as a voter on December 27. Meanwhile, nomination forms have been collected in Bogura on behalf of both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman for the parliamentary elections scheduled on February 12.