Dhaka, December 25, 2025 – Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has returned to Dhaka after nearly 17 years in exile in London, marking a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of the February 12, 2026, general elections.
The 60-year-old leader, widely seen as the frontrunner to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister if the BNP secures victory, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid tight security and enthusiastic crowds. Hundreds of thousands of BNP supporters lined the streets, waving party flags and chanting slogans to welcome the heir to the influential Zia family.
Rahman’s homecoming follows the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising last year. Hasina, who fled to exile in India, was sentenced to death in absentia last month by a Bangladeshi tribunal for crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of protests, in which UN investigators estimate up to 1,400 people died. Hasina has denied the charges.
During Hasina’s Awami League rule, Rahman faced multiple criminal cases, which he described as politically motivated. All charges were cleared after her regime’s fall, paving the way for his return.
Upon arrival, Rahman is expected to address a massive reception rally before visiting his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who is receiving treatment in a Dhaka hospital. The BNP, positioning itself as the leading force in the upcoming polls under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, views Rahman’s return as a boost to its campaign.
The elections are considered among the most consequential in Bangladesh’s history, as the nation seeks stability after years of political turmoil. The Awami League’s participation remains uncertain amid ongoing restrictions.
Rahman’s return symbolizes hope for many BNP supporters and underscores the shifting dynamics in Bangladeshi politics as the country prepares for a new chapter.
