United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday (December 02) said that the return of Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is entirely a ‘personal and family matter’. Talking to reporters after an event titled ‘Future Bangladesh Challenges 2025’ at a city hotel, Khosru said the ongoing discussion surrounding Tarique Rahman’s possible return to Bangladesh would have no negative impact on the upcoming national election. In response to a question on whether a travel pass could facilitate Tarique Rahman’s return, Khosru said he was not aware of any such process. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi “BNP does politics by relying on people’s trust. Given the chance, people will once again prove that BNP still holds their confidence,” he added. The issue of Tarique Rahman’s return has gained renewed attention as his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 with multiple health complications. She was moved to the CCU on November 27 after her condition deteriorated. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Earlier in the day, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the medical board, comprising local and foreign specialists, confirmed that Khaleda Zia is responding to ongoing treatment and that there is a possibility she may recover this time. During the 1/11 caretaker government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been residing in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

There is no known legal bar preventing BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman from returning to Bangladesh, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said on Monday (December 01). “If any obstacles exist, we will certainly cooperate (with him). We will make the best possible arrangements for his security,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. The adviser said the decision to return rests entirely with Tarique Rahman. “He has the authority to choose the appropriate time. I believe he will return when he considers it right,” he added. Read more: 'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda Responding to questions about why Tarique has not yet returned, the adviser said such speculation is unnecessary. “Many people raise questions about his return, but I find those comments uninteresting. This is a matter between a mother and her son. Is there any directive from Begum Khaleda Zia, or does Tarique Rahman have personal considerations? I don’t think it is appropriate to comment on that,” he said. “We must understand that this is a mother-son relationship. He knows best when to come and when to take any action,” Nazrul added. Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt

The interim government on Saturday (November 29) said there is no restriction or objection regarding BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made it clear when he was asked whether there is any restriction or objection from the government regarding Tarique's return to Bangladesh. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has already expressed deep concern about the physical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and has sought doa for her from the people of the country. Earlier, at the weekly meeting of Council of Advisers, prayers and doa were offered for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat. Read more: 'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda

Urging all to continue praying for the recovery of his critically ill mother, Khaleda Zia, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said although he strongly wishes to return home and to be at her side, he is unable to do so freely because of the current political realities. In a Facebook post on Saturday (November 29), he expressed the hope that once the political situation allows, his long wait to return home will finally come to an end. “Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia is severely ill and in a critical condition under intensive care at the hospital. Citizens from all sections of the country, regardless of political affiliation, have been sincerely continuing their prayers for her recovery,” Tarique said. Khaleda’s condition not good at all: Law Adviser He also said the Chief Adviser has also offered prayers for her recovery and pledged full support for her treatment. The BNP leader said medical teams from Bangladesh and abroad continue to provide dedicated care with the highest level of professionalism and sincerity. He said several friendly countries have also expressed their willingness to provide advanced treatment support and any other possible assistance required. “On behalf of the Zia family, we express our sincere thanks and deep gratitude to everyone for their heartfelt prayers and love for the widely respected Begum Khaleda Zia. At the same time, we earnestly request everyone to continue praying for her speedy recovery,” Tarique said. CA’s representatives visit Evercare to enquire about Khaleda’s health “In such a moment of crisis, I too strongly long for my mother’s affectionate touch, just like any child. But unlike others, I do not have the unrestricted freedom or sole authority to make that happen. There is also little scope to describe this sensitive matter in detail. Our family remains hopeful that once the political situation reaches the expected stage, my long and anxious wait to return to my homeland will finally come to an end.”

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return home by the end of this month, ending his 17 years of exile in London. “We are hopeful that he (Tarique) may come back by the end of this month. If not, it might be delayed by a few days,” he told UNB on Tuesday night (11th November 2025). Tarique Rahman, the elder son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been living in London for the past 17 years since leaving the country with his family during the state of emergency in 2008. Although all legal complications against him were resolved following the fall of the Awami League government in the July uprising, Tarique has yet to return home. Over the past few months, several senior BNP leaders have repeatedly said Tarique would return “soon”, though none has mentioned a specific date. Govt to be solely responsible if reforms imposed beyond consensus: Fakhrul In an interview with BBC Bangla on October 6, Tarique Rahman was asked when he planned to return to Bangladesh. He replied, “Very soon, Inshallah.” Asked whether he would be in the country before the election, Tarique said, “As a political worker, it’s natural that I should be with the people during an election. Where there is a people’s election – one expected by the nation – how can I stay away? I will do my best to be with the people during that time, Inshallah.” Although Tarique has long been involved in leading the party and shaping its election strategies, he has never contested a parliamentary election himself. This time, however, he is set to run in the 13th national parliamentary election from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency. July Charter signatories not bound by decisions beyond its scope: BNP to govt His mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been contesting elections from Bogura-7 (Gabtoli and Shahjahanpur) since 1991 and from Bogura-6 (Sadar) since June 1996 — never losing in either seat. Tarique is now stepping forward to contest from his mother’s long-held constituency. Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, situated on a 32-katha plot donated to her by the government in 1981, has been prepared for Tarique Rahman to stay with his family upon his return. Party insiders said Tarique will be given a grand reception from the airport to the Gulshan house, making his homecoming a historic and memorable day. During the 1/11 government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been living in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. Read more: BNP, Jamaat block highway over Gazipur-6 seat issue