Govt welcomes Tarique Rahman's return, assures security measures
"From our part, we have the highest effort," he said
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that the government welcomes BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's scheduled homecoming on Thursday morning, affirming that all cooperation sought by his party is being extended with necessary security measures in place.
"We welcome his return," he told reporters today (24 December) while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
In terms of security, Alam said, things are being looked after in consultation with BNP keeping in mind what the party wants.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"From our part, we have the highest effort," said the press secretary, stressing that the required security measures have been taken from the government side.
Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad was also present.
Regarding youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi's killers, Press Secretary Alam said the government is working with the highest priority in this regard.
"We are getting some vital clues. We have the highest efforts to investigate the matter," he said, referring to some arrests.
After 17 years in exile, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman is poised to return home on Thursday morning (December 25, 2025), a moment the party describes as both politically significant and emotionally charged.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed a detailed timeline at a press conference held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office on Wednesday (December 24, 2025).
According to the plan, Tarique Rahman will depart London's Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.
Senior journalist Saleh Shibly and three personal aides will also travel with him.
The aircraft is scheduled to land in Dhaka at 11:55am. From the airport, Tarique will proceed directly to a public reception arranged on the service lane of the 300 Feet Road, where he will deliver a brief address to supporters.
To minimise public inconvenience and traffic congestion in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman alone will speak at the reception, said Salahuddin.
After the programme, he will visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital, Bashundhara, to enquire about her health.
He will then return to his designated residence in Gulshan.
On Friday, following the Jumma prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. He is also scheduled to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial.
On Saturday, Tarique Rahman will be formally registered as a voter. After completing the process, he will visit the grave of Osman Hadi near the Dhaka University Central Mosque.
He will later go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured in the July 2024 uprising.
Tarique Rahman was arrested during the caretaker government in 2007 and spent around 18 months in prison.
After his release in 2008, he left for the United Kingdom for advanced medical treatment. Although he has been leading the party from abroad, his return now comes as he prepares to take a more direct role in party affairs after a long 17-year absence.
