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