Zubaida Rahman returning home after 17 years to a changed Bangladesh

After 17 years in exile, Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, is set to return to Dhaka tomorrow (6 May) with a plan to stay at her father's Dhanmondi residence, marking a poignant homecoming.

Zubaida is returning home with her mother-in-law and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, in an air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar.

She left Dhaka with her husband Tarique Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman 17 years ago, on 11 September 2008.

The house, known as Mahbub Bhaban, is located on Road 5 of Dhanmondi and was the residence of her late father, former navy chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, and the preparations are underway to welcome Zubaida to her paternal home, where she will be staying with her ailing mother.

BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumman told UNB that security and renovation work are going on at the residence. "Since Zubaida Rahman is coming to stay at the house, we're making all arrangements, including decoration, CCTV installation, and ensuring all utility services are in order so that she can stay there comfortably," he said.

Atikur said everything would be ready before Zubaida's arrival. "The Mahbub Bhaban will be fully prepared to receive her."

The Mahbub Bhaban is currently home to Zubaida's mother, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, and the family of her elder sister, Shahina Zaman. Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu was recently admitted to a hospital in Dhaka.

Rumman said extensive security measures have been taken at the residence, including the installation of CCTV cameras around the perimeter walls and the deployment of police and the BNP Chairperson's Special Security Force (CSF) personnel.

"The house is already well-kept, but we've made additional arrangements given Zubaida Rahman's return," he said.

He said BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has specifically instructed that no security arrangement should cause inconvenience to neighbours. "We've been clearly told to avoid any disturbance to surrounding residents. The chairperson wants everything done with care and respect."

Rumman said Mahbub Bhaban features a flower garden at the front and a dedicated guard room for security personnel.

He said separate vehicles and a security team have been arranged for Dr Zubaida during her stay in Bangladesh.

On 30 April, the BNP chairperson's personal secretary, ABM Abdus Sattar, wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting armed protection, police presence at the residence, and the installation of an archway scanner, citing potential security threats to Zubaida Rahman.

Rumman said officials from the police and intelligence agencies have already inspected the house and outlined necessary measures for her safety.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008. It will be Zubaida's first return to Bangladesh in 17 years.

She became entangled in legal troubles during the 1/11 military-backed caretaker government and the subsequent Awami League administration.

On 26 September 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case with Kafrul Police Station against Tarique Rahman, Zubaida Rahman, and her mother, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income.

Zubaida was later sentenced to three years in prison and fined Tk35 lakh by a Dhaka court. It was later stayed following the fall of the Awami League (AL) government in August last year.

Born in Sylhet on 18 May 1972, Zubaida enrolled at Dhaka Medical College at the insistence of her parents after passing her higher secondary examinations with distinction.

Zubaida married Tarique Rahman on 3 February 1994.

She passed the MBBS examination with the highest merit and began her career as a government doctor through the BCS in 1995. Zubaida ranked first in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination.

Sheikh Hasina's government dismissed her from her position after she went to London on a study leave in 2008.

After moving to London, Zubaida obtained a postgraduate degree in medicine from Imperial College.

Zubaida's father, Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, served as Chief of the Bangladesh Navy during the government of former president Ziaur Rahman from 4 November 1978 to 6 August 1984.

He subsequently served as the Minister of Communications and Agriculture under the government of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

General MAG Osmani, commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Liberation War, was Zubaida's uncle.

BNP sources said the Qatari air ambulance carrying Khaleda and her entourage members, including Dr Zubaida Rahman, and her late son Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman, along with members of her medical team, will depart from Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm (London time) today (5 May).

They are expected to reach Dhaka at 10:30am tomorrow after a stopover in Doha.

Khaleda Zia travelled to London on 8 January in the same special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.

Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained under the care of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for 17 days.

Since 25 January, she has been receiving treatment at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman.