United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission has collected information about Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, for her inclusion in the voter list. EC officials said her information was gleaned during the recent door-to-door data collection in Dhaka. “Zubaida Rahman’s information has been gathered under the ongoing voter list updating programme,” EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media on Monday. He said a name is included in the final voter list on completion of the entire updating process following the data collection and registration. As per electoral laws, a person must be a registered voter to contest in any election. In the case of the parliamentary election, a voter can contest elections from any constituency in the country. The photograph-based voter registration process began in 2008, when Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman were in London as they left Bangladesh for London on September 11, 2008 and they have been living there since then. Zubaida Rahman departs for London But on May 06 last, Zubaida returned to Bangladesh accompanying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia after the latter’s medical treatment in London. She left for London again on June 5 last. EC officials collected Zubaida’s personal information in Dhaka before Eid-ul-Azha. According to the law, the draft voter list must be published by January 2 next year, with the final list due by March 2. However, if the next general election is held in February, the Election Commission is considering amending the law to finalise the list earlier. Zubaida, a physician by profession, was born on May 18, 1972, in Dakshin Surma Upazila of Sylhet District. After passing her higher secondary examinations with distinction, she went on to study at Dhaka Medical College. She married Tarique Rahman on February 3, 1994. Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with distinction and began her career as a government doctor through the BCS in 1995, securing first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination.

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, left Dhaka for London on Thursday after spending a month in Bangladesh.  She departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:55 am for Heathrow Airport, London, in a flight of Qatar Airways, said Atikur Rahman Rumon, a member of the BNP Media Cell. “As soon as she boarded the plane, Zubaida Rahman called Madam (Khaleda Zia) and sought her blessings,” Rumon said. On Wednesday night, he said Tarique’s wife met her mother Iqbal Mand Banu at their home in Dhanmondi, ‘Mahbub Bhaban’, to bid her farewell. Later, Rumon said, she returned to Feroza, the residence of her mother-in-law Khaleda Zia in Gulshan area of the city. After four months of advanced treatment in London, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returned to the country on May 6, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, including Zubaida. Zubaida’s return marked the end of her 17 years of exile in London. Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008. Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with top merit and began her career as a government doctor after qualifying through the BCS in 1995.  She secured first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination. Sheikh Hasina’s government dismissed her from her position after she went to London on study leave in 2008. After settling in London, Zubaida obtained a postgraduate degree in medicine from Imperial College.  

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice-Chairman of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), on Friday expressed the hope that Bangladeshi students would bring pride to the nation through their future innovations in science. “We are deeply encouraged by your passion for science. We hope that in the future you will contribute to scientific innovations not just for Bangladesh, but for the betterment of humanity as a whole,” she said at the award-giving ceremony of the ‘Virtual Science Fair 2025’, held at the ZRF office in the capital’s Gulshan area. Zubaida, also the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, wished all participants of the fair success in every aspect of their lives, contributing to Bangladesh’s global image. After hearing from the competitors, she said, “I’ve been listening to your presentations for some time… truly outstanding… absolutely outstanding. Your intellect, dedication and most importantly, your confidence have deeply impressed us." She promised the full support of the ZRF to students keen to explore the field of science and pursue innovation. Zubaida advised that students should not hesitate to approach judges with any scientific questions they may have, as they are always ready to inspire and guide.  “At any time, you can approach them with your queries," she added. “There is no end to scientific research,” Zubaida said. BNP urges Dr Yunus to announce election  schedule to avoid unrest  “But there is a lot to give to the world through scientific research, and I believe you can do it," she said. Praising the initiatives of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, she described it as an extraordinary example of social service. “For this, I sincerely congratulate all the members of the foundation for standing by the people of Bangladesh and, in some cases, abroad for almost 26 years," she said. Zubaida has been residing in London with her husband Tarique Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman since September 2008. She returned to Bangladesh on May 6 with her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, ending a 17-year stay in London. Although she has attended some family events since her return, this marked her first participation in an organisational programme. The event began with the screening of a documentary on the foundation’s activities. Dr Zubaida Rahman later presented prizes to the winners of the science fair. Established on October 18, 1999 in memory of the late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, the ZRF is a non-profit voluntary organisation with Tarique Rahman as chairman. Initially formed with doctors, agriculturists, engineers, and teachers, the foundation has since expanded to include lawyers and journalists. In November last year, a 23-member board of directors was formed with Zubaida Rahman as Vice-Chairman.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman who recently returned home after 17 years, visited the grave of her brother-in-law late Arafat Rahman Koko on Saturday. Zubaida, accompanied by Koko’s widow Syeda Shamila Rahman, visited the Banani Graveyard and offered fateha at the grave of Tarique Rahman’s younger brother, who passed away 10 years ago, said BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon. She recited verses from the Holy Quran and offered prayers at Koko’s grave, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. On January 24, 2015, Koko, also known as a sports organiser, died of cardiac arrest in Malaysia at the age of 45. His body was brought back home on 27 January and buried at Banani Graveyard, at a time when both Tarique and Zubaida were residing in the UK. They could not return home at that time due to legal complications. Doubts growing about interim govt’s capability to govern: Tarique Earlier, on May 6, Zubaida returned home from London along with Shamila Rahman and her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, ending a 17-year exile. The following day, she visited her father’s grave at Banani Military Graveyard and offered fateha there. Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman offered fateha at her father’s grave on Wednesday before taking her ailing mother home from Square Hospital. Zubaida left “Feroza,” the residence of her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in the afternoon and first went to the Banani Military Graveyard to visit the grave of her father and former Navy Chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, said BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon. She offered Asr prayers at the designated prayer point for women there and then offered fateha at her father’s grave, he said. Rumon said Zubaida was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko. Following the grave visit, he said, Zubaida proceeded to Square Hospitals in Dhanmondi, where her mother, Iqbal Mand Banu, had been receiving treatment since 1 May. BNP’s Farroque urges Dr Yunus to hold elections, cites 75% public support After doctors discharged her mother in the evening, Rumon said Zubaida took her to “Mahbub Bhaban,” their residence in Dhanmondi. Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Zubaida visited Square Hospitals in the capital to see her ailing mother, just hours after returning home from London, creating an emotional reunion between mother and daughter.

Hours after returning home, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman went to Square Hospital in the capital to visit her ailing mother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu. Zubaida left the Gulshan residence of her mother-in-law and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia around 6:15pm and reached the hospital at around 6:40pm, creating an emotional reunion between mother and daughter, said BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon. Zubaida’s mother was admitted to the hospital with various age-related complications on May 1. Upon her arrival at the hospital amid tight security measures, Zubaida was welcomed with flowers by representatives of the Suravi Foundation, an organisation dedicated to working with underprivileged children. Rumon said Zubaida went up to the hospital cabin via a special lift and embraced her mother in a heartfelt moment witnessed by close family members. “After many years apart, Zubaida was emotionally reunited with her ailing mother,” he said. Zubaida remained at the hospital by her mother’s side until the filing of this report at 8:30pm. A BNP leader said that from the hospital, Zubaida would visit ‘Mahbub Bhaban’—the residence of her father, located on Road No 5 in Dhanmondi. She is expected to spend some time there before returning to her mother-in-law’s residence, Feroza, later at night. Zubaida Rahman visits ailing mother at Square Hospital Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu has long been suffering from various age-related complications. A few years ago, she was taken to a hospital in Bangkok for treatment. She is the founder of the Suravi Foundation, which works for underprivileged children. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) by the government. Earlier in the day, Zubaida along with Khaleda Zia returned home, ending her 17-year exile in London. A special air ambulance, provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, carrying Khaleda, Zubaida, Syeda Shamila Rahman — the wife of Tarique’s late brother Arafat Rahman Koko — and other entourage members, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42am. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders welcomed them at the VIP lounge of the airport. Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday deferred till April 9 the hearing on charge framing against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income and concealing information in their affidavits. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special judge Md Asaduzzaman fixed the fresh date. Earlier, on November 01, 2022, Dhaka court issued arrest warrants for Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida in the graft case. On June 26, the High court ordered the judicial court to dispose of the case as soon as possible. The HC also rejected the couple’s writ petitions, challenging the corruption case against them. As both of them remain fugitives, the court rejected the writ petitions – saying these are not acceptable. Read more: Arrest warrants issued for Tarique and Zubaida Rahman in corruption case The court also withdrew the stay order on the trial proceedings of the case filed against them. On September 26, 2007, ACC lodged a complaint with Kafrul police against Tarique Rahman, Zubaida and her mother Iqbal Mand Banu for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 4.81 crore and concealing the information. In the same year, the High Court issued a rule suspending the trial proceedings in the case after hearing a petition filed by Zubaida. The HC rejected the rule in 2017 and asked her to surrender before the court within eight weeks.

A Dhaka court today issued arrest warrants for BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Asaduzzaman court passed the order after taking the charge sheet against them into cognisance. The court also directed the officer-in-charge (OC) of Cantonment police station to submit a progress report regarding the arrest warrant on January 5 next year. Read more: Graft case against Tarique, Zubaida: HC asks trial court to dispose of case soon On June 26, High court ordered the judicial court to dispose of the case as soon as possible. The HC also rejected the couple’s writ petitions, challenging the corruption case against them for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income and concealing information in their affidavits. As both of them remain fugitive, the court rejected the writ petitions – saying these are not acceptable. The court also withdrew the stay order on the trial proceedings of the case filed against them. Read more: Verdict on Tarique-Zubaida’s whereabouts on June 26 On September 26, 2007, ACC lodged a complaint with Kafrul police against Tarique Rahman, Zubaida and her mother Iqbal Mand Banu for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 4.81 crore and concealing the information. In the same year, the High Court issued a rule suspending the trial proceedings in the case after hearing a petition filed by Zubaida. The HC rejected the rule in 2017 and asked her to surrender before the court within eight weeks.