Tarique Rahman becomes BNP chairman
Staff Reporter :
Tarique Rahman has been named chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The announcement came from a meeting of the party’s standing committee, BNP confirms on its official Facebook handle on Friday night.
Tarique is the eldest son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and has been involved in politics since his youth.
He rose through BNP ranks, becoming senior joint secretary general in 2002 and later senior vice chairman. He went into self?imposed exile in London in 2008, citing safety concerns and political persecution after his party’s defeat and the change of government.
From there, Tarique continued to lead party strategy and was named acting chairman in 2018 when his mother was imprisoned. During his time in exile, he faced multiple legal cases in Bangladesh, which his supporters say were politically motivated; most were later dropped.
After nearly 17 years abroad, he returned home on December 25, 2025, marking a major moment in his political life as he reengages directly in national politics.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairman has been actively engaged in diplomatic meetings following his return to Bangladesh, taking time to meet several foreign envoys despite his busy schedule and the recent passing of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The discussions have focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring avenues of cooperation between Bangladesh and the diplomats’ respective countries, becoming a key part of Rahman’s agenda ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections.
On Friday, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, paid a courtesy call to Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan described the meeting as cordial, with discussions centring on potential avenues for increased cooperation between the two nations.
German Ambassador Dr Rudiger Lotz also met Rahman, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue between Bangladesh and Germany on political, economic, and trade matters. Later the same evening, Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle visited the BNP Chairman to discuss areas of mutual interest and future collaboration.
These diplomatic engagements come amidst a period of personal grief for Tarique Rahman following the death of his mother, a towering figure in Bangladesh politics and former Prime Minister. Sources close to the BNP leader say he has remained committed to his leadership role, balancing his responsibilities with his mourning.
Rahman has also held meetings with representatives from the European Union and China, signalling his continued focus on maintaining the BNP’s international relations. Political observers note that these interactions are seen as essential in fortifying Bangladesh’s ties abroad and positioning the BNP as a significant actor on the global stage ahead of the elections.
Despite personal and political challenges, Tarique Rahman’s ongoing diplomatic engagements underscore his intent to maintain the party’s momentum and ensure its voice is heard internationally during this crucial pre-election period.