Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will receive enhanced security in the run-up to the upcoming national election in February.
As part of the preparations, the BNP has decided to procure a bulletproof minibus and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) specifically customised for Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, respectively.
The process of importing specially customised bulletproof vehicles for these leaders has already begun. The vehicles will be equipped not only with top-tier security features but also with facilities for passenger comfort.
Sources within the BNP confirmed that the government has granted permission to proceed with the import process. The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the import of these specially designed vehicles.
A source from the BNP, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that if Khaleda Zia decides to participate in the election campaign, she will be provided with a bulletproof vehicle for her nationwide travels.
Similarly, if Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh for the election campaign, he will use the same type of vehicle. These vehicles are designed with enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of both leaders.
A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs, wishing to remain anonymous, revealed that all necessary procedures for the importation of these vehicles have been properly reviewed, keeping in mind the requirement for enhanced safety measures.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is hopeful that Tarique Rahman will return to the country soon. However, several party leaders have mentioned that Tarique’s return has not yet been finalised.
The government has assured the party of providing security once he returns, but many BNP leaders have doubts about the security arrangements.
In regard to the special security arrangements, Khaleda’s Security Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar told TIME that the highest level of caution is being exercised to ensure the safety of both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.
“They are not just individuals; they are national assets. Their security must be ensured to avoid any untoward incident,” he said.
Tarique Rahman was arrested during the 2007-08 emergency period and went to England after being released on bail in 2008 on health grounds. He has since been residing in London. Since Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment in 2018, Tarique has taken up the role of acting chairman of BNP.
