For the first time since his return to the country after 17 years in exile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman was seen walking on the streets of Dhaka on foot.
On Friday afternoon, he walked from his home at 196 Gulshan Avenue to the Chairperson’s Office at 86 Road, Gulshan-2.
Confirming the matter, BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Ruman told the media, “BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman left his home around 3:45pm in the afternoon. He reached the office on foot at 4:04pm.”
Party leaders said Tarique Rahman suddenly decided to walk to the office. Officers assigned to his security swiftly mobilised.
Amid tight security, Tarique, wearing a black suit, arrived at the office. He was accompanied by Atiqur Rahman Ruman and his chief security officer, retired Brigadier General ATM Shamsul Islam.
Despite being in mourning following the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman continues to attend the office regularly. He meets daily with foreign ambassadors and leaders of various political parties.
He is also keeping track of organisational matters ahead of the parliamentary election, holding meetings with leaders.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider, German Ambassador Rüdiger Lotz, and Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle met with Tarique Rahman.
A meeting of the BNP Standing Committee, chaired by Tarique Rahman, is scheduled to be held at 9pm at the same Gulshan office.
A senior BNP leader said Friday’s meeting is not a scheduled one, so there is no fixed agenda. However, it is certainly important, as the Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, may be elected as the BNP Chairman at this meeting.
