Tarique Rahman's homecoming: What engagements lie ahead
Considering the expected presence of a large number of party leaders, activists and supporters, he will briefly address the nation on the way to the hospital
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka tomorrow (25 December), with a packed three-day schedule combining personal engagements, political activities and commemorative visits.
According to party sources, the flight carrying Tarique Rahman is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:45am–11:50am.
He will be accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman. Tarique's adviser Mahdi Amin said that strict security and protocol arrangements will be enforced immediately after the aircraft's landing.
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Upon arrival on Thursday (26 December), Tarique Rahman's top priority will be to visit his ailing mother, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
However, considering the expected presence of a large number of party leaders, activists and supporters, he will briefly address the nation on the way to the hospital.
A short gathering is planned at the 300 feet area of the capital, where he will deliver a brief speech expressing gratitude and thanks to the people. He will speak alone at the gathering.
After the address, Tarique Rahman will proceed directly to Evercare Hospital to see Khaleda Zia and later return to his residence in Gulshan.
Then on Friday (26 December), after Jummah prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of his late father, former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, to pay his respects. He will also go to the National Memorial in Savar to place wreaths in honour of the martyrs of the Liberation War.
On the third day of his schedule, Saturday (27 December), Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi, who was shot and killed earlier this month.
He will then go to the Election Commission to submit his voter registration application.
Later in the day, he is expected to visit the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, commonly known as Pongu Hospital, to enquire about those injured in the July Uprising.
Tarique Rahman's homecoming comes nearly two decades after being arrested in 2007 following the political changes during the 1/11 government. Upon being released from jail in 2008, he went to the United Kingdom with his family for medical treatment and has been living there since then.
To celebrate his return tomorrow, thousands of people from all across the country are gathering in Dhaka.
