United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission will decide on the inclusion of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman in the national voter list, which will be used for the upcoming general election and the referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. “Their names will be placed before the commission tomorrow (Sunday). If the Commission approves, then they will be included in the voter list to be used in the February-12 election,” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He was briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban after Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman completed the national identity and voter registration process at the EC’s NID office in the Electoral Training Institute. The EC Secretary said they were allowed to complete the registration process as the EC has authority to enroll eligible in the voter list as per the Electoral Rolls Act 2009. Tarique, Zaima complete NID and voter registration “They’ve completed the registration process…But it takes time to process the application. I believe, it will be completed by today and then they will get their NID Numbers,” he said. Then the issue will be placed on Sunday for the approval from the commission to include them in the country's voter list to be used in the upcoming parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order.    

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at the Election Commission’s National Identity Wing in the city’s Agargaon area on Saturday (December 27, 2025) to complete his National Identity Card (NID) registration and enlist himself as a voter. He reached the National Identity Wing office, located at the Electoral Training Institute, at 1pm. As part of the registration process, Tarique Rahman will provide biometric data and submit the required documents. Tarique Rahman leaves home to visit Osman Hadi’s grave at Dhaka University Earlier, his daughter Zaima Rahman along with her mother Zubaida Rahman arrived at the same office at around 12:26 pm. After completing the necessary formalities, they left the office at around 12:45 pm, before Tarique’s arrival. According to BNP sources, Tarique, Zubaida and Zaima have already completed the online voter registration form. They are supposed to be registered as voters in the Dhaka-17 constituency under DNCC Ward No. 19 in the Gulshan area, using the address of House No. 196, Gulshan-2. Earlier in the day, Tarique offered fateha at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who died a week after being shot on December 12. Tarique offers fateha at Hadi’s grave Accompanied by senior BNP leaders, Tarique first placed a wreath at Hadi’s grave at around 11:30 am, paying tribute to the July uprising activist. He later offered fateha and joined a munajat, seeking the salvation of Hadi’s departed soul. The munajat was conducted by Abu Bakar Siddique, the elder brother of Sharif Osman Hadi. Tarique and his party colleagues also placed a wreath at the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. They also joined a munajat there as well. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, among others, were present. Members of the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed across the Shahbagh and Dhaka University areas to maintain security. Tarique left his Gulshan Avenue residence at around 10:40 am in a white bulletproof SUV and reached the Dhaka University campus at around 11:15 am under tight security. From the Election Commission, he is scheduled to visit Mahbub Bhaban in Dhanmondi, the residence of his father-in-law. He will then go to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother. Read more: Tarique visits National Martyrs’ Memorial, pays homage to martyrs Tarique was earlier scheduled to visit the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured during the July 2024 mass uprising. However, the programme has been cancelled. In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, BNP’s Media Cell said Tarique would not visit Pangu Hospital as there are no injured victims of the July mass uprising. Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of Inquilab Moncho and a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. The incident occurred a day after the Election Commission announced February 12 as the date for the next national election. For advanced treatment, Hadi was airlifted to Singapore, where he died from his injuries on the night of December 18. He was laid to rest beside the grave of Kazi Nazrul Islam on December 20. Aged 32, Hadi was a prominent figure in the July 2024 uprising and served as the spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. Read more: Inqilab Moncho shifts blockade from Shahbagh ahead of Tarique’s visit Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday morning after nearly 17 years abroad. His return has drawn widespread attention and strong emotions among BNP leaders, activists and supporters across the country. He was greeted with a large and jubilant reception, with party leaders describing his homecoming as historic.

After 17 years in exile, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman is poised to return home on Thursday morning, a moment the party describes as both politically significant and emotionally charged. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed a detailed timeline at a press conference held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday. According to the plan, Tarique Rahman will depart London’s Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman and their beloved pet cat Jebu. Party sources said senior journalist Saleh Shibly and three personal aides will also travel with him. Arrival & Programmes “Our leader will leave London on a regular Bangladesh Airlines flight from Heathrow Airport around midnight (Bangladesh time). After a transit stop in Sylhet, he will arrive in Dhaka at 11:50am tomorrow (Thursday) morning, Insha’Allah,” said Salahuddin. He said BNP Standing Committee members will receive the party’s Acting Chairman at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. From the airport, the BNP leader said, Tarique will proceed directly to join a reception programme as their party has arranged on the 36 July Expressway (300 Feet Road). “It will be a short programme. He (Tarique) will speak there thanking the people of the country, expressing his gratitude, and offering gratefulness to the Almighty Allah,” he said. To minimise public inconvenience and traffic congestion in Dhaka, Salahuddin said Tarique alone will speak at the reception. After the programme, he said the BNP Acting Chairman will visit his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital, Bashundhara. After spending some time beside Khaleda, Tarique will proceed to House No-196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will stay. On Friday, following the Jumma prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of his father and BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.  He is also later scheduled to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. Read more: Sense of insecurity gripped nation ahead of Tarique’s homecoming: Abbas On Saturday, Tarique Rahman will be formally registered as a voter. After completing the process, he will visit the grave of Osman Hadi near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. He will later go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured in the July 2024 uprising. Advance Apology Salahuddin, on behalf of BNP, sincerely apologised in advance for any inconvenience or suffering caused by the unavoidable and minimal programmes taken by the party to organise the historic homecoming of its beloved leader. “You know that Mr Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that may cause public inconvenience. He has already asked expatriate leaders, activists, and supporters not to gather at London’s Heathrow Airport on the day of his departure from there” he said. In Bangladesh too, the BNP leader said that although they sincerely tried to follow his instructions to avoid causing public suffering, it may not have been possible to fully comply.  “So, we express our advance apology and regret for any public inconvenience.” Salahuddin said Tarique has chosen a government holiday for his return to avoid public inconvenience. He said the programme at the 300 Feet Road is neither a public rally nor a reception. “It is only meant for him to express sincere gratitude to the people of the country and to request prayers for the well-being of the party chairperson and everyone in the country. There will be no second speaker at the event besides him.” The BNP leader said no matter how much they try to keep the event small, they do not have the ability to control the large flow of leaders, activists and supporters who has been waiting for 17 years and are coming to the capital from all parts of the country. “Still, we have instructed our supporters to mostly use the Kanchan Bridge to reach the venue.” He also outlined arrangements in the capital, including reception points at different locations, designated parking areas for vehicles, medical camps and field hospitals. Security Arrangements BNP Chairperson’s Chief Security Officer retired Brigadier General AKM Saiful Islam said, “We will use our party’s full security system. A small part of it is the Chairperson Security Force (CSF). Beyond that, our party leaders and activists, and above all, the people of Bangladesh, are the main foundation of our security.” He said the government is providing them with maximum cooperation and has instructed its various forces and agencies to extend all kinds of support. “We have developed close coordination with them. By integrating government organisations with our party’s own strength, we hope to build the strongest possible security arrangement based on the known security needs.” No Gathering at Sylhet Airport BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said their beloved leader, Tarique Rahman, will return to the country on a Bangladesh Airlines flight, which will first land at Sylhet Airport. He instructed leaders and activists of Sylhet city and district not to gather at the airport. “No leaders or activists from Sylhet city or district should gather at the airport. No one should go there. Our leader will continue on the same flight to Dhaka. After arriving in Dhaka, he will speak to the people of the country at the programme we have arranged there,” Rizvi said. Tarique Rahman was arrested during the caretaker government in 2007 and spent around 18 months in prison. After his release in 2008, he left for the United Kingdom for advanced medical treatment. Although he has been leading the party from abroad, his return now comes as he prepares to take a more direct role in party affairs after a long 17-year absence. Read more: BNP strikes election deal with 7 more partners, reserves 8 seats

Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and granddaughter of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) said she hopes to contribute to rebuilding Bangladesh and understand the country better by connecting directly with people. She made the remarks in a personal Facebook post in which she shared reflections on her family, roots and journey ahead of her return to Bangladesh. In the post, Zaima recalled her childhood memories with her grandmother, fondly calling her ‘Dadu’, and described Khaleda Zia as a caring and proud family figure despite carrying the responsibilities of leading the nation. “One of my most cherished memories of my Dadu captures her fiercely loving and loyal matriarchal role in our family. When I was around eleven, our high school team won a football tournament. My mother took me straight to Dadu’s office so that I could show her my medal and tell her about it myself. As I animatedly recounted my goalkeeping ‘heroics’, I was keenly aware of how attentive and proud she was. So much so that she would share that childhood story with others,” Zaima said. Read more: Tarique’s homecoming: Special trains to run on 10 routes She wrote that while millions knew Khaleda Zia as the Prime Minister, to her and her cousins she was first a loving grandmother who always made time for her family and celebrated their small achievements. Zaima said those moments became her first lessons in leadership, humility, sincerity and the importance of listening to others. 'Seventeen years away from Bangladesh have been transformative, but I never forgot to tend to and cultivate my roots. Why? Because we are shaped by what we anchor ourselves to our culture, community, and identity. Like many second and third generation Bangladeshis abroad, I have lived in more than one world. London grounded me and gave me a global perspective, but Bangladesh always remained my focus," she said. Zaima also shared her experience of studying and practising law, saying that working closely with people taught her empathy, integrity and the importance of understanding others, especially those who feel unheard by the justice system. Tarique’s only daughter said she never met her grandfather and late President Ziaur Rahman but grew up learning about his integrity and patriotism, which she said had been carried forward by her grandmother and father. Read more: Those opposed to election also stoking violence, instability: Amir Khosru Referring to the mass uprising and the period following August 5, she said she mostly remained in the background, offering support where she could and trying to ease the burden on her family through small but meaningful actions. Expressing her feelings about returning home, Zaima said she wants to stand beside her grandmother and support her father during the current campaign period. "I hope to give back to my country in whatever ways I can. I want to see Bangladesh be rebuilt and thrive, as it should. I want to rediscover my homeland through my own eyes and lived experiences, to connect with people face to face, because that is the sincerest way to understand another’s perspective, just as I have been taught. Acknowledging public curiosity and expectations surrounding her family, Zaima said she feels that weight herself but sees it as part of her personal journey. “So, this is my journey, told in my own way,” she wrote, adding that if it resonates with others, she hopes they can walk that journey together. Read more: Attacks on institutions threaten restoration of democracy: Rizvi Zaima is scheduled to return to Bangladesh with her father Tarique Rahman on Thursday (December 25), ending their 17-year exile abroad, as they have been living in London since September 2008.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, virtually joined a party meeting and spoke for the first time on Sunday (November 23). A short video showing Zaima taking part in the virtual meeting of expatriate party leaders has gone viral on social media. The meeting, held on Sunday with BNP leaders based abroad and a European representatives’ team, discussed expatriate voting activities. From Dhaka, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and BNP Media Cell convener Mowdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel joined virtually. Zaima, who has so far stayed away from formal political activities, was seen thanking participants in the 39-second video clip. “Thank you, everyone. Thank you for coming and for all the work you have done. You have shared your thoughts, the problems and the advantages. A few issues have been discussed. Rizvi uncle has taken notes, Pavel uncle too. We will see centrally how much we can do,” she said. Read more: Tarique cites Prophet’s ideals, seeks Islamic scholars’ support for BNP “The work must move forward. Everyone is in touch with each other and should help in every possible way. Khokon uncle explained well how things should be done according to time. We should not delay. We should prioritise and work according to the schedule. Thank you so much,” Zaima added. BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumi told UNB that although Zaima joined the virtual meeting and spoke, the video was not released officially. “It has not been published by the BNP Media Cell or on Zaima Rahman’s own page. Someone secretly recorded a short clip and posted it on social media,” he said. This is the first time Zaima has been seen in a BNP organisational meeting related to expatriate voting activities. Earlier, she attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC on 5–6 February this year as part of a BNP delegation. The three-member team was led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, with Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also present. Last month, in an interview with the BBC, Tarique Rahman was asked whether his family members — including his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman — would join politics in the future. Tarique replied, “Time and circumstances will say.” Zaima moved to London with her parents in 2008. She completed her schooling, secondary and higher studies there.  She earned her Law degree from Queen Mary University of London and later completed her Bar-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn. Read more: Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital with chest infection

A three-member BNP delegation, including party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s daughter, Zaima Rahman, attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States. The traditional "National Prayer Breakfast" was held at the Washington Hilton on Thursday following the election of the new US President. The event saw participation from key political, diplomatic, business and cultural figures from various countries. On behalf of BNP, Zaima, alongside party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, took part in the event. Barrister Zaima Rahman represented her father, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, at the gathering. The event began at 7 am (Washington time) and lasted for seven hours. BNP delegation led by Zaima meets former South Carolina Governor David Beasley US President Donald Trump joined the programme, which is a Washington tradition of over 70 years. Traditionally, within the first 100 days of a US president taking office, a breakfast and dinner are organised in honour of significant global figures. In addition to President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, the event was attended by Senators, members of Congress, and other invited world leaders, as well as business professionals and other distinguished guests. Zaima travelled to Washington from London on Tuesday to represent her father, while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury arrived in the USA on Sunday for the event. Zaima to represent father Tarique at National Prayer Breakfast, sparking political speculations The BNP delegation also held meetings with Robert Destro, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, and former South Carolina Governor David Beasley in Washington on Wednesday.

BNP on Monday demanded State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hassan apologise publicly and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family. In a statement, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged Murad to step down immediately. Otherwise, he threatened that a befitting reply would be given to Murad at an appropriate time. Fakhrul expressed strong hatred and anger against “perverted, indecorous, racist and anti-women” remarks by the state minister that went viral on social media. Also read: BNP to launch oust-govt movement seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad He demanded immediate attention and solution to such disgusting and indecent behaviour of a person performing important duty of the state. The BNP leader said the entire nation was stunned that the derogatory comments came from an “insane” person carrying the national flag. When BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been there at the crossroads of life and death, Fakhrul said, such indecent and disgusting propaganda against the members of the Zia family, including a female member of it, has already garnered the hatred of all sections of the country, including women leaders. Also read: Millions to hit streets if Khaleda not sent abroad, warns BNP During an interview on social media recently, the junior minister described BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman as a ‘whoreson’ and alleged that Zaima Rahman, Tarique’s daughter, cannot sleep without the company of a black man every night.

Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Wednesday urged BNP to bring back home Zaima Rahman, the granddaughter of Khaleda Zia, from London to intensify the anti-government movement. Speaking at a discussion, he also called upon the BNP leaders to take to the streets shunning political rhetoric and making hollow statements on political issues. “Bring Zaima back. I’m saying it as she’s young. She’ll learn politics … if Zaima remains with them (BNP leaders), there’ll be a wave in (politics of) the country and you’ll see then they (AL) won’t even know when their boat will sink,” Zafrullah said. The Gonoshasthya Kendra founder said BNP followers become unhappy if he makes any remark about the party leadership. “But I would like to say one thing that Khaleda Zia is a brave lady...her leadership is necessary to make the anti-government movement a success.” READ: Dr Zafrullah describes how Bangladesh can go for low-cost vaccine production He also said BNP will not be able to drum up public support with only its political rhetoric and light statements on political issues. "If you want to remove this vote robber, you’ll have to take to the streets with sticks and rods whatever you have…then you’ll see where they flee,” Zafrullha said. He said BNP and other parties should get united to ensure the fall of the current government. Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna urged the political parties to reach a consensus that the national election cannot be held under the current government. “We want a government that can guarantee a fair election in the country. If we can get united with such a demand we have a bright prospect of achieving a victory,” he said. READ: Bring Zaima back home to revive BNP: Dr Zafrullah BNP vice-chairman Barkatullah Bulu said there is no alternative to a united movement to free the country from the ‘misrule’ of Awami League. "Under the current situation, we would like to say all democratic and progressive forces in Bangladesh should unite and come under a single platform to restore democracy,” he observed.