Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will receive a historic public welcome upon his return to Dhaka from London, surpassing any reception previously accorded to a political leader in the country.
Expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah, Fakhrul said that after nearly 18 years in exile, Tarique Rahman is expected to return home on December 25, describing the occasion as a powerful source of inspiration for party leaders and activists.
He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion titled “National Parliamentary Election Is Essential to Protect Democracy at a Critical Time for the Nation”, organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Projonmo at the Diploma Engineers Institute auditorium in Kakrail.
Calling on party members to prepare for the occasion, Fakhrul urged that Tarique Rahman be welcomed in a manner unprecedented in Bangladesh’s political history, adding that all necessary preparations are underway.
He said the announcement of Tarique Rahman’s return has brought a sense of relief during a period of deep concern for the party.
Fakhrul noted that while BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is currently hospitalised due to illness, Tarique Rahman remains a guiding force for the party amid ongoing uncertainty and will be physically present with them from December 25.
The discussion meeting was also addressed by BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Abdus Salam and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Liberation War Affairs Secretary (retd) Lt Col Zainul Abedin, along with leaders from Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijoddho Projonmo.
Earlier on Friday night, Fakhrul formally announced at a press briefing that Tarique Rahman would return to Bangladesh on December 25, bringing an end to nearly 18 years of self-imposed exile.
Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007, during the 1/11 caretaker government.
He was released on bail on September 3, 2008, and travelled to London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been residing in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman.
