BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years has drawn wide attention from international media outlets, with major global news organisations highlighting both the political and personal significance of his homecoming.
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday as a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying him landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40am. Alongside extensive local coverage, international media reported the development as a major political moment ahead of the national election.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera published a report headlined, “Bangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman returns after 17 years in exile.” The report described him as “the heir to Bangladesh’s longtime ruling family and leader of the country’s powerful opposition.” It also noted his appearance, stating, “Dressed in a light grey, finely chequered blazer over a crisp white shirt, Rahman waved to the crowd with a smile.”
British news agency Reuters carried the headline, “Returns home ahead of election, Bangladesh’s potential prime ministerial candidate.” The report placed Tarique Rahman’s return in the context of the upcoming polls and his position within the opposition.
Pakistan’s influential newspaper The Dawn reported the development under the headline, “Bangladesh leader considered top PM candidate returns after nearly 17 years in exile ahead of polls.” The report noted that “his homecoming also carries personal urgency, with Khaleda Zia seriously ill for months,” adding that party officials said Rahman would travel from the airport to a reception venue before visiting his mother.
The Dawn also cited political data, stating, “A December survey by the US-based International Republican Institute suggested the BNP is on course to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, with the Jamaat-e-Islami party also in the race.”
The BBC highlighted the return with the headline, “Front-runner to be Bangladesh PM returns after 17 years in exile.” Its report stated, “Rahman’s return comes in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being ousted last year.” The report also mentioned that Hasina is living in exile in India and referenced findings by UN investigators that up to 1,400 people died during student-led unrest.
Indian media outlets also gave prominent coverage to Tarique Rahman’s return. NDTV published two reports, one titled “Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years with wife, daughter, and cat,” and another headlined “Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh: A look at his time in exile,” which detailed “what Rahman did between 2008 and 2025.” Other Indian newspapers, including Hindustan Times and The Hindu, also reported extensively on the development.
Tarique Rahman’s exile began in January 2007 when the army-backed caretaker government arrested him on corruption charges. He spent nearly 18 months in prison before leaving Bangladesh with his family for medical treatment in London on 11 September 2008. After the December 2008 election, which brought the Awami League to power, successive legal cases prevented his return.
On Thursday, that long wait ended. Tarique returned to his homeland amid a massive reception and sustained global media attention, marking a significant moment in Bangladesh’s contemporary political history.
