Tarique Rahman set to return home mid-November, ending 17 years in exile
Several advisers to the BNP leader and diplomats based in Dhaka confirmed his planned return.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh in mid-November after 17 years of exile in the United Kingdom, party sources have said.
Several advisers to the BNP leader and diplomats based in Dhaka confirmed his planned return.
"After many ifs and buts, it is now clear that our leader is eager to come back home in mid-November. He may travel to Dhaka from London between 10 and 20 November," an adviser close to Tarique told The Business Standard.
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In recent months, Tarique met two influential diplomats, including the United States acting ambassador to Bangladesh Tracey Ann Jacobson – in London, when he reiterated his intention to return to Bangladesh.
Tarique has been living in Kingston, a south-western suburb of London, during his years of exile.
His return was also confirmed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a recent interview with TBS. He said Tarique Rahman would return home soon, though the exact date had not been finalised.
According to party sources, he is expected to fly from London's Heathrow International Airport on a commercial flight, accompanied by at least two advisers and leaders of the UK BNP.
Before leaving London for Dhaka, he may visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, accompanied by two senior BNP leaders and family members, party sources said.
A source close to the BNP leader said, "For security reasons, we cannot announce the exact date of departure from London. All the necessary procedures, including issuing a travel pass through the Bangladesh High Commission to the UK, are underway. At present, Tarique Rahman is living in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status."
ILR is a form of settlement that allows a person to live, work and study in the UK permanently and to apply for British citizenship.
Tarique went into self-imposed exile in London in 2008 after Awami League's victory in the national election, citing concerns for his safety and claiming that he was being persecuted by the authorities.
However, Tarique has not applied for British citizenship during his 17 years in exile.
On 5 October, marking World Habitat Day, Tarique wrote on his verified Facebook page, "A home is a basic human right. We all deserve a home that is safe, dignified, and secure."
Meanwhile, a team from the Bangladesh High Commission went to Tarique's Kingston home and collected his biometric data and other documentation to register him as a voter as he was not on the updated voter list.
Bulletproof vehicles for Khaleda, Tarique
BNP has initiated the process of purchasing a new, specially designed bulletproof minibus for Chairperson Khaleda Zia and a bulletproof SUV for Tarique Rahman.
The BNP has already submitted written petitions to the government, seeking approval for these vehicles. According to party leaders, if Khaleda Zia's health permits, she will participate in the next election and join the campaign.
To import such vehicles, a no-objection certificate from the home ministry is required.
The ministry reviews such requests through the Special Branch (SB) of Bangladesh Police to assess any potential security concerns.
A senior home ministry official told TBS on condition of anonymity, "About five months ago, BNP sent documents seeking approval to buy a bulletproof car for acting chairman Tarique Rahman. We granted permission after receiving the SB report.
"A new application was later filed for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's car, which has also been approved. The vehicles will be imported from Japan."
TBS could not confirm the specific models being imported from Japan.
Concerns over security
Addressing security concerns for the top BNP leader, the government will ensure maximum security upon his return, the home ministry official said.
"When Tarique Rahman returns home, we will provide maximum security. Whatever needs to be done from our side will be done. All reasonable requests from BNP will be addressed.
"However, no formal demand letter has been submitted yet. When Khaleda Zia returned home after treatment in London recently, security was provided as per BNP's requests," the official said.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia maintains her own security arrangement outside the police protocol through the Chairperson's Security Force, which consists of 10 members who accompany her in special uniforms whenever she travels.
BNP chairperson's Security Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar told TBS, "Bangladesh is experiencing shifts in its current geopolitical reality. Various obstacles may arise on the path of democracy that the country began following the events of 5 August 2024. In this journey, Tarique Rahman will be at the forefront, and the state must play a maximum role in ensuring his security.
"He will not remain inactive after returning to the country. It must be remembered that security is most vulnerable during campaign and election periods, and risks persist even with heightened protection. Therefore, the state must take proactive steps to reduce such risks to zero. In this regard, I recall the example of Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. We must not lose this opportunity in our pursuit of democracy."
