Tarique Rahman Welcomed by the Standing Committee

After an absence of seventeen years, Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned to his homeland on Thursday, marking a historic moment for the party. His arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was met with a warm reception by members of the BNP’s Standing Committee, who gathered in the airport’s red zone to welcome him.

As he disembarked from the aircraft, Tarique Rahman greeted the assembled leaders and supporters with a wave, signalling his gratitude and recognition of the monumental occasion. Among those who personally received him were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, followed by Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, with whom he exchanged handshakes and cordial greetings.

The day’s journey began with Tarique Rahman departing from London Heathrow Airport on Wednesday evening at 6:15 pm local time (12:15 am Bangladesh time). He arrived at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport at 9:55 am on Thursday, where a brief ground turnaround allowed the flight to continue to Dhaka, landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40 am.

The historic occasion drew immense public attention, with millions of BNP supporters and party activists converging on the city’s July 36 Expressway to welcome their leader. Despite biting winter cold, people began gathering overnight, positioning themselves to witness Tarique Rahman’s arrival. By early morning, the crowd had swelled considerably, and chants and slogans echoed throughout the area. Supporters marched from nearly every corner of Dhaka, travelling on foot, buses, trucks, and motorcycles, creating a continuous procession towards the airport.

The excitement and fervour underscored the symbolic significance of Tarique Rahman’s return, viewed by many party members as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Flight and Arrival Details:

This momentous return has been described as a historic milestone for the BNP, reflecting both the enduring loyalty of its supporters and the political significance of Tarique Rahman’s re-entry into Bangladesh after nearly two decades abroad.