Khaleda Returning Home with Two Daughters-in-Law, but Not Tarique

Staff Correspondent

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is returning to Bangladesh from London after four months of medical treatment.

Speaking to reporters, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Madam is returning on the morning of the 5th. As far as we know, she will be accompanied by her two daughters-in-law—Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Sharmila Rahman.”

When asked about Tarique Rahman’s return, Fakhrul stated that there had been no discussion regarding his return.

BNP’s fugitive leader Tarique Rahman has been residing in London with Zubaida Rahman for the past 17 years. Tarique left the country in 2007 after signing an undertaking, accompanied by his wife and children. Meanwhile, Sharmila has visited Bangladesh several times but most recently returned to London on April 29.

On January 8, Khaleda Zia traveled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced treatment. Upon arrival, she was admitted to a London clinic and underwent treatment for 17 days. At the end of January, she moved to her son Tarique Rahman’s luxurious residence and celebrated Eid in London with family after over six years.

“Madam is definitely better than before,” Fakhrul said. Regarding her mode of return, he added, “The air ambulance from Qatar is delayed due to some technical reasons. If it is not available at the last moment, Madam will return on a Bangladesh Airlines flight.”

Khaleda Zia is scheduled to leave London on the night of May 4 and arrive in Dhaka at around 11 a.m. on May 5.

BNP leaders expressed excitement over her return, with preparations underway at her Gulshan residence, “Firoza.” BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said, “Madam’s residence has been cleaned and prepared.”

Khaleda Zia’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar confirmed that relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and law enforcement agencies, had been informed of her return.

Mirza Fakhrul sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain as part of BNP’s communication with the Yunus government regarding Khaleda Zia’s return. Subsequently, preparations for her arrival were coordinated through Bangladesh High Commissions in London and Doha.

Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in 2018 following her conviction in corruption cases. She was released on an order by President Md. Sahabuddin after Sheikh Hasina left the country following the August 5 militant attack. The verdicts in the two corruption cases that had led to her imprisonment were later nullified.