Zaima Jarnaz Rahman, granddaughter of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and daughter of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has drawn renewed public attention after sharing a reflective Facebook post that many see as signalling her readiness to take on a more visible role as her family returns to Bangladesh at a critical political juncture.
In the post from her verified Facebook account, Zaima Rahman reflected on family legacy, personal responsibility and her intention to return home. She recalled childhood memories of her grandmother, affectionately calling her Dadu, and described her as both a national leader and a devoted family matriarch.
“To millions she was the Prime Minister, but to me and my cousins, she was ‘Dadu’ first,” she wrote, adding that those moments taught her lessons in “humility, sincerity, and the willingness to listen”.
Referring to her years abroad, Zaima Rahman said, “Seventeen years away from Bangladesh have been transformative, but I never forgot to tend to and cultivate my roots.” She noted that while London shaped her global outlook, Bangladesh remained her emotional and moral anchor.
In passages carrying clear political undertones, she wrote that during the mass uprising and the period after 5 August she stayed largely out of the spotlight, “helping where I could, listening more than speaking”. She said returning home carried “many emotions” and expressed a desire to support her grandmother and father during the current campaign period.
She said, “I hope to give back to my country in whatever ways I can. I want to see Bangladesh be rebuilt and thrive, as it should. Zaima Rahman added.
Acknowledging the expectations attached to her family name, she noted that carrying such weight was a shared experience across families and communities.
Concluding the post, she described it as “my journey, told in my own way”, adding, “If it resonates with you, perhaps we can walk it together.”
The post comes as BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman prepares to return home on 25 December after more than 17 years in exile. He has already received a travel pass from the Bangladesh High Commission in London.
Tarique Rahman applied for the travel pass after his Bangladeshi passport expired. Although an opportunity arose to renew it following the fall of the Awami League government after last year’s uprising, he did not apply, requiring a travel document to return as a Bangladeshi national.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said there were no restrictions on Tarique Rahman’s return and that a travel pass could be issued within a day if applied for. Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury also said there was no obstacle to his return and assured adequate security upon arrival.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir earlier announced that Tarique Rahman will land in Dhaka on 25 December. BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said he is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:55am on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. He described the return as historic and said the party was preparing a special reception.
After arriving, Tarique Rahman is expected to go directly to Evercare Hospital, where Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment since 23 November. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, returned to Dhaka on 5 December and has remained by her mother-in-law’s side.
Zaima Rahman’s post also follows her first known participation in a BNP meeting. On 23 November, she virtually joined a party meeting focused on expatriate voting activities, marking her first appearance in a BNP forum. A short video clip of the online session, in which she thanked overseas party leaders and urged timely and coordinated work, later circulated on social media. BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumi said the video was not officially released and was shared without authorisation.
She had previously remained absent from formal political activities. She attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC in February this year as part of a BNP delegation. In an interview with the BBC in October, Tarique Rahman, when asked whether his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima would enter politics, said, “Time and circumstances will say.”
Zaima Rahman moved to London with her parents in 2008. She completed her schooling and higher education in the UK, earned a law degree from Queen Mary University of London, and later completed her Bar at Law from Lincoln’s Inn.
Against this backdrop, her recent post and earlier virtual appearance have fuelled discussion about a potential public role as the Rahman family re-enters Bangladesh’s political stage ahead of the election.
