Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, will be provided ‘Very Important Person’ (VIP) security protocol during her stay in Bangladesh, law enforcement officials confirmed following a high-level coordination meeting.
The arrangement comes after BNP formally submitted a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting special protection for Dr. Zubaida during her stay in Dhaka.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali told reporters on Monday that in addition to Khaleda Zia’s heightened security arrangements, Dr. Zubaida will receive maximum protective coverage during her visit.
“We have received directives from the highest levels of government to ensure sufficient security for both Khaleda Zia and Zubaida Rahman. We are implementing accordingly,” he said.
BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is set to return to Bangladesh from London on Tuesday morning via a special air ambulance. She is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:30 AM.
Accompanying her on the flight are her two daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman and Sharmila Rahman.
Speaking further, Commissioner Sajjat said, “Zubaida Rahman has been residing in London for an extended period. Security systems there are understandably robust. We have developed a security blueprint so she feels no sense of insecurity upon her return.”
He also confirmed that the law and order committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs held a meeting on Sunday that issued formal directives concerning the security of both Khaleda Zia and Zubaida Rahman. Based on those instructions, police preparations are underway.
DMP’s Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Nazrul Islam told journalists that considering Zubaida’s status as the spouse of BNP’s Acting Chairman and the current political context, she is deemed a person of significant importance. “They will receive the level of protection deemed necessary for individuals of such stature,” he said.
Asked about the nature of the security, Nazrul said, “For the sake of operational safety, we will not disclose the exact plans. These matters are highly confidential.”
The letter submitted by BNP to the IGP on April 30 outlined a four-tier security protocol for Dr. Zubaida. This included an armed bodyguard, police protection with escort vehicles, stationed police personnel at her residence, and the installation of an archway scanner at her home.
Commenting on the scope of the arrangements, Additional Commissioner Nazrul stated, “There is a difference between BNP’s expectations and our own security assessment. In some areas, the measures exceed what was requested. Based on our evaluation, we are taking maximum steps to ensure safety.”
Dr. Zubaida is the daughter of retired Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali, a former Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh and former Minister of Communications and Agriculture under the General Ershad regime. She is also the niece of General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief during Bangladesh’s Liberation Forces.
Zubaida married Tarique Rahman on 3 February 1994 and joined the BCS Health Cadre in 1995. She moved to London with her husband in 2008 when Tarique Rahman was forced to leave the country..
Khaleda Zia had travelled to London earlier this year on January 8 aboard a special air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar. She is now returning to Dhaka in the same aircraft.