Tarique Rahman Ends 17-Year Exile, Returns to Bangladesh Amid Political Anticipation

A Long-Awaited Return

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on December 25, 2025, concluding 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. His return is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's political landscape, particularly with national elections slated for February 2026.

Rahman, 60, departed Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after spending approximately 18 months in jail, citing political persecution as a reason for his continued stay abroad.

Legal Hurdles Cleared

The path for Rahman's return was cleared following the acquittal of most serious charges against him. He had faced numerous cases, including a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a rally of then-opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, and charges related to illegal wealth acquisition and money laundering.

• In May 2025, Rahman and his wife, Zubaida Rahman, were acquitted of all charges in an illegal wealth acquisition case.
• A Dhaka court also acquitted him in a bribery case in March 2025, with his legal representatives stating that no cases remained pending against him in trial courts.
• The High Court had previously overturned a trial court's acquittal in a money laundering case in 2016, sentencing him to seven years in prison and a fine. However, subsequent legal developments, particularly after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, led to the clearing of these legal obstacles.

Political Ramifications and Preparations

Rahman's homecoming is expected to significantly energize the BNP, which he has led as acting chairman since February 2018 from abroad. His return comes at a time of heightened political tension in Bangladesh, marked by violence and debates surrounding the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

The BNP is organizing a grand reception for Rahman, with party leaders and activists from across the country instructed to gather in Dhaka. Security measures are being coordinated between the party's security team and government authorities, with the government assuring maximum security for his arrival. Rahman is scheduled to arrive on a commercial flight from London's Heathrow Airport, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

His return also coincides with the ailing health of his mother, Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment in Evercare Hospital Dhaka. Party sources indicate that Rahman is likely to visit his mother upon arrival. With the Awami League barred from contesting the upcoming elections, the BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner, and Rahman's physical presence is anticipated to be crucial in galvanizing support and potentially positioning him as a future prime minister.