BNP is searching for a large venue near the capital’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to hold a befitting reception for Tarique Rahman on 25 December. He is scheduled to land in Dhaka at 11:55am that day on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London via Sylhet.
Tarique’s return from nearly 18 years of exile is much anticipated, but no BNP leader could confirm whether he has obtained a travel pass from the Bangladesh High Commission in London to return to the country.
He may be accompanied by his only child, Zaima Rahman. Both BNP and the government are making special security arrangements for them.
If everything goes according to plan, Tarique will depart from Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 6:20pm [London time] on 24 December, heading for Dhaka.
On flight BG202, Tarique may arrive in Dhaka at 11:55am on 25 December, via Sylhet Osmani International Airport. At least 50 BNP leaders and activists are expected to be on the same flight.
Party sources say many party leaders and workers tried to book tickets for that flight, but all tickets were sold out within a short time.
BNP has appointed Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam as the chief security officer for Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman. A bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser Prado “Hard Jeep” has been brought in for Tarique’s use while travelling within the country.
BNP plans grand reception
BNP has begun preparations to accord Tarique a grand reception upon his arrival in Dhaka. A reception committee, headed by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, has already been formed.
Salahuddin said BNP is searching for a location to hold the reception. A BNP delegation has already conducted a field inspection of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding areas.
BNP aims to gather party leaders and activists not only from the capital and surrounding districts, but from across the entire country to welcome Tarique. For this purpose, the party has applied to the Railway Ministry for seven special trains.
Additionally, they have requested extra carriages to be added to regular trains.
Where will Tarique stay?
After the reception in Dhaka, Tarique will go directly to Evercare Hospital to see his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment there.
From there, he will proceed to the house at 196 Gulshan Avenue. After Ziaur Rahman’s death, the then-President Sattar’s BNP government allotted this Gulshan house in Khaleda Zia’s name.
This house, located near Khaleda Zia’s current residence, “Feroza”, on Road 79, has already been newly renovated. Final decoration is now underway. Barbed wire fencing has been installed, and CCTV cameras are being set up. Additional police boxes are being placed around the house.
However, if the decoration and security work are not completed by 25 December, Tarique will stay at his mother’s residence, “Firoza.” After leaving her Cantonment house during the Awami League’s tenure, Khaleda Zia moved into the rented house “Firoza.”
Former BNP lawmaker and former state minister Major (retd) Kamrul Islam is the owner of this home.
Tarique ‘s wife, Zubaida Rahman, came to Dhaka on 5 December to take Khaleda Zia to London via air ambulance as her condition worsened. Since then, she has been by her mother-in-law’s side.
The BNP acting chairman went to London for treatment in September 2007 after being released on bail during the military-backed caretaker government. Since then, he has been living in exile in London.
