BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is returning to Dhaka from London today after 17 years in exile. A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying him made a stopover at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport before arriving in Dhaka around 9:58am.
The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50am.
A bulletproof vehicle has already been taken to the airport for his movement. The vehicle arrived shortly before 7:15am and will be used for his travel from the airport to different programmes.
Tarique Rahman reached London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night around 9:30pm (Bangladesh time). Leaders and activists of the UK BNP were present with him and saw him off up to the airport’s security perimeter. He completed immigration formalities and boarded the flight shortly after. The aircraft departed for Dhaka around 12:30am.
He is travelling with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. Around 50 leaders and activists of the party are also returning to Bangladesh on the same flight.
According to BNP sources, after landing, Tarique will stay briefly at the airport’s VIP lounge “Rajnigandha” before heading by road to the reception venue set up at the 300 Feet area via Kuril. He is expected to address the gathering there and remain until 3:40pm.
From the 300 Feet area, he will proceed through the Bashundhara G Block gate to Evercare Hospital, where he is scheduled to spend about an hour from 4:10pm beside his ailing mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Later, he will return to his residence in Gulshan.
Meanwhile, citing security concerns, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has restricted visitor entry to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport until 6:00pm yesterday. Security has been tightened in and around the airport, and SWAT teams have been placed on standby.
To welcome their leader, large crowds have gathered on the July 36 Expressway since early morning.
Braving the cold weather, thousands spent the night at the venue hoping to catch a glimpse of him. As the day progressed, the expressway became packed with people arriving from different parts of the country by bus, train and launch. Leaders and activists from nearby areas also joined the gathering in processions.
