After 17 years in exile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is returning to Bangladesh on Thursday, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their only daughter, Zaima Zarnaz Rahman.
His Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:55am.
From the airport, Tarique Rahman will proceed to a temporary stage on the 300 Feet Road, where he is set to address the nation and his supporters.
He will later visit Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara to see his ailing mother, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, before returning to his Gulshan residence.
At a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan Wednesday afternoon, party Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed said several arrangements had been made for Tarique Rahman’s return on December 25. “He does not favour any programme that may cause inconvenience to the public,” he said.
Salauddin added that the day after his return, on Friday, Tarique Rahman would visit the grave of martyred former president Ziaur Rahman after Jummah prayers. On the same day, he will pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar.
On Saturday, Tarique Rahman will complete formalities related to his national identity card at the Election Commission. He will then visit the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi and later go to the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (popularly known as the Paralysis Hospital) to see those injured during the July uprising, Salauddin said.
The BNP has made extensive preparations to accord Tarique Rahman a historic reception, aiming to surpass all previous political homecomings in terms of turnout. Party leaders believe the enthusiasm surrounding his return will draw both party activists and ordinary citizens in unprecedented numbers.
The main reception has been organized on the 300 Feet Road in Kuril, Dhaka, where a large pavilion has already been erected. BNP activists are working to ensure the program remains orderly and secure, with additional safety measures coordinated with law enforcement agencies. Official permission has been granted by the Dhaka divisional commissioner’s office, and construction of the stage is nearing completion, with senior leaders regularly inspecting the site.
The party expects at least five million people to attend. The program is also seen as an opportunity to demonstrate the BNP’s organizational strength ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said: “We hope for half a crore people to attend. Party workers have already started arriving in Dhaka from different parts of the country.”
Security has been tightened in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ahead of Tarique Rahman’s arrival.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), only authorized passengers will be allowed to enter the airport premises for security reasons. A CAAB notice said that from 6pm on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday, companions and visitors will not be permitted entry.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has said there is no specific threat to Tarique Rahman’s safety, but precautionary measures have been taken. Police will provide special protection during his movement, while multiple layers of security will be deployed at his residence and office. Only individuals with proper clearance will be allowed close to him, with both plainclothes and uniformed officers assigned to ensure his safety.
Overall security arrangements have been entrusted to Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam. Ahead of Tarique Rahman’s return from the UK, the party formally sought special protection from the Special Security Force (SSF), citing potential threats. Security analyst ANH Muniruzzaman said: “Considering his political profile and threat perception, SSF protection would be appropriate. If the government does not provide it, additional police and party security teams will be deployed.”
Alongside state security, the BNP has taken internal measures to maintain discipline and safety. The reorganized and expanded Chairperson Security Force (CSF) will be responsible for Tarique Rahman’s personal security.
Former and current members of the BNP’s student wing are part of the CSF and have received training in basic security and crowd management. Around 10,000 volunteers will assist in maintaining order, managing traffic and coordinating with law enforcement agencies.
Special trains and additional coaches have been arranged to facilitate the travel of BNP activists and supporters to Dhaka.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Railways, signed by Senior Information Officer Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, special trains will operate on 10 routes, while extra coaches will be added to regular services.
As a result, services on some short-distance routes — including Rajbari Commuter (Rajbari–Pordah), Dhalarchar Express (Pabna–Rajshahi) and Rohanpur Commuter (Rohanpur–Rajshahi) — will remain suspended on December 25. The ministry has apologized for the temporary inconvenience to passengers.
Special train services will operate on the Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka–Jamalpur, Tangail–Dhaka–Tangail, Bhairab Bazar–Narsingdi–Dhaka–Narsingdi–Bhairab Bazar, Joydebpur–Dhaka Cantonment–Joydebpur (Gazipur), Panchagarh–Dhaka–Panchagarh, Khulna–Dhaka–Khulna, Chatmohor–Dhaka Cantonment–Chatmohor, Rajshahi–Dhaka–Rajshahi and Jessore–Dhaka–Jessore routes. Additional coaches will be attached to regular trains depending on demand.
