BNP Acting Chairman departs London at midnight, expected to address 50 lakh supporters at Dhaka reception on Thursday.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman left London at around 6:30 pm local time (12:30 am Bangladesh time) on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-202, ending his nearly 17-year exile in the United Kingdom.

Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Standing Committee member and Convener of the Tarique Rahman Homecoming Committee, confirmed the departure details on Wednesday. Rahman will travel with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman on the regular Biman flight.

Flight will make a stopover in Sylhet before landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:20 am on Thursday. BNP Standing Committee members will receive him at the airport.

Upon arrival, Rahman will proceed directly via the expressway to Purbachal Highway Express area near Kuril's 300 Feet Road, where BNP has organised a massive public reception. Party expects at least 50 lakh people to attend the gathering, with supporters travelling from across the country.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi described the anticipated turnout as ‘a sea of people’ and said the event would surpass all previous political gatherings in Bangladesh's history. Party has received official permission from Dhaka Divisional Commissioner's Office and completed stage construction.

Tarique Rahman will be the sole speaker at the brief reception programme. However, he requested supporters on 16th December not to come to the airport, stating that those who defy this request would be considered as acting out of personal interest.

After the public address, Tarique Rahman will visit his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23. He will then proceed to his residence at 196 Gulshan Avenue.

On Friday, Tarique Rahman will visit his father's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after Jumu'ah prayers. Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, founder of BNP, is buried there. From there, he will travel by road to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to Liberation War martyrs.

Saturday's schedule includes completing voter registration formalities, visiting the grave of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka University's Kazi Nazrul Islam Mausoleum area, and meeting July uprising victims at National Orthopaedic Hospital (Pangu Hospital). These programmes are yet to be finalised.

Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 following his release from prison during the 1/11 political crisis, citing illness as the reason for seeking treatment abroad. He has lived in London since then, unable to return even during his mother's critical illness earlier this year, though his wife made several trips to Bangladesh.

Elder son of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman began his political career as a BNP Bogura district committee member in 1988. He formally entered politics by becoming a primary member in Gabtali upazila and rose to senior joint secretary general. On March 19, 2016, he was elected senior vice-chairman at BNP's sixth national council and currently leads the party as acting chairman.

He played active roles in mobilising public opinion during the 1991 national election and participated in nationwide campaigns alongside his mother during the 2001 election.

Security concerns regarding Rahman's return have sparked discussions in political circles. Retired Major General A N H Muniruzzaman told media that Rahman should receive Special Security Force protection given the nature of threats he faces. However, if government does not grant this, enhanced police and party security arrangements should be implemented.

Retired Brigadier Shamsul Islam, Rahman's chief security officer, said at a press conference on Wednesday that no request was made to the government for SSF protection. He claimed the government is providing all necessary support and security preparations exceed the perceived risk.

Law enforcement agencies have strengthened security measures to maintain law and order surrounding the arrival, while party volunteers are working to ensure a disciplined programme. BNP has undertaken extensive preparations across Dhaka and the country to welcome Rahman's return.