Ending his 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, greeted by a rapturous reception from hundreds of thousands of jubilant supporters, marking his homecoming as a historic and triumphant event.

The BNP leader’s arrival marked a significant moment, as he set foot on Bangladeshi soil, felt the earth and dew-soaked grass beneath his feet, and pledged to work together with the people to build the country and implement his plan for the progress of the nation and its people.

The day was dominated by massive crowds, with the reception at the 300 Feet venue in the capital drawing enthusiastic party leaders, workers, and supporters.

It took more than three hours for Tarique to reach the stage from Shahjalal International Airport as he waved and greeted supporters along the way from the red-and-green-decorated bus.

By around 2:30pm, as the bus entered the venue, chants and slogans echoed across the area. Tarique took the stage at 3:50pm and began his speech at 3:57pm with the words, “Dear Bangladesh,” offering thanks to Allah for allowing him to return to his motherland.

Earlier, at 11:44am, Tarique, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, arrived on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London via Sylhet at Shahjalal International Airport. Party leaders gave him a warm welcome at the airport, and his mother-in-law greeted him with flower garlands.

Upon arrival, Tarique called BNP Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to express his gratitude for the arrangements and security provided during his return. In a video shared on BNP’s verified Facebook page, he thanked the Chief Advisor for the arrangements and asked for prayers before ending the call.

After completing immigration formalities, Tarique stepped out and removed his shoes to feel the country’s soil and dew-soaked grass. He was also seen holding a small piece of soil in his hand.

Tarique’s pet cat, Jebu, also returned to Bangladesh with the family in a specially arranged box. Earlier, photos of Jebu with Tarique circulated on social media, and the BNP’s verified Facebook page shared pictures of the cat in the morning.

Throughout the day, Tarique shared his journey and feelings on his official Facebook page. He posted at 9:34am as the plane entered Bangladesh airspace, writing, “After 6,314 long days, under the skies of Bangladesh!”

During the stopover at Sylhet Airport, he shared a smiling photo with his wife, writing, “Finally in Sylhet, on the soil of Bangladesh!”

After arriving in Dhaka, he posted a prayer praising Allah’s supreme power.

Meeting with Mother

Following the reception at 300 Feet, Tarique visited Evercare Hospital in the capital to see his ailing mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving critical care for over a month. Tarique set off from the 300 Feet reception venue around 4:28pm and reached the hospital around 5:54pm in the same bus he had used from the airport.

It was the first reunion of mother and son in Bangladesh after more than 17 years, though they have met several times in London, including in January this year.

Tarique’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman, who accompanied him on the journey from Heathrow Airport to Dhaka, went to the hospital around 5:10pm.

Earlier, while addressing the reception venue, Tarique said his heart lay beside his mother’s hospital bed due to her illness. “But I cannot leave the people behind for whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital,” he said.

Tarique also urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara residential area since 23 November, in a critical condition.

Rapturous Return

After spending nearly one and a half hours with his mother at the hospital, Tarique returned to House No-196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will be staying.

He left the hospital around 7:30pm and stepped out of his car in front of his residence at about 8:30pm.

The BNP Acting Chairman expressed his gratitude to all members of the law enforcement agencies present, saying, “You have worked hard all day. I pray for you and urge you also pray for me.”

BNP’s Gratitude

Later, in a press release, BNP said a massive crowd had gathered from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the 300 Feet Expressway to welcome Tarique.

“The historic and unprecedented turnout transformed Dhaka into a sea of people. Tarique Rahman expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who came to greet him,” it said.

The party said its acting chairman extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to leaders and activists of BNP, its affiliate and allied organisations, as well as leaders and members of various political parties and professional organisations from Dhaka and across the country who came to participate in the reception.

It also said Tarique conveyed his gratitude to the armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), RAB, police, and other law enforcement and security agencies for ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the reception programme.

BNP said Tarique also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to all journalists and media personnel on duty during the reception.

Tarique left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released from jail during the military-backed caretaker government period and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family.

Friday’s Programmes

As announced by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Tarique will visit the grave of his father and BNP founder, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after Juma prayer on Friday.

Later, he will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the country’s Liberation War heroes.

Tarique is also expected to visit the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi and see the July uprising victims treated at Pangu Hospital on Saturday, alongside registering as a voter.