BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman steps onto Bangladeshi soil today after more than 17 long years in exile in London, marking the most significant political homecoming in recent history.

For the BNP, his long‑awaited return symbolises renewal — a turning point that could reenergise the party’s political base and reshape its future trajectory.

Many people view this as a crucial step in uniting the people amid the current volatile situation and steering the nation towards a credible election, said Mahdi Amin, adviser to the BNP acting chairman, in a Facebook post.

“That is why Tarique Rahman’s return is not just a personal homecoming — it has become a symbol of the people’s deep hopes and expectations for Bangladesh’s freedom, sovereignty and democracy,” he added.

Tarique’s daughter, Zaima Zarnaz Rahman, will accompany him. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, who returned to London on December 20 after a two-week stay in Dhaka with her ailing mother‑in‑law, will also travel. The family’s pet cat, Zeebu, will also travel with them, along with their two close aides, Abdur Rahman Suny and Kamal Uddin.

They departed London from Heathrow Airport at 6:36pm British time on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight number BG 202. The flight will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka via Sylhet at 11:45am.

After landing, Tarique will be received by members of the BNP standing committee.

He will then travel in one of the two bulletproof vehicles imported for him to a reception in the 300 Feet area of Purbachal, chosen over Suhrawardy Udyan and Manik Mia Avenue to minimise inconvenience for Dhaka residents. Party leaders and activists will line both sides of the road to greet him.

“It will be a brief programme. There, he will express gratitude to the people of the country and offer prayers of thanksgiving to Almighty Allah,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.

BNP standing committee members, leaders of political parties that joined the simultaneous movement and prominent figures will be present on stage, but only Tarique will address the crowd.

Following his address, Tarique will go to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for over a month now.

After meeting his mother, he will go to Firoza, the Zia family’s residence at Gulshan‑2, via Airport Road and Kakoli Mor.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken multi‑layered security measures to prevent any untoward incident.

An additional 500 traffic police will be deployed to manage traffic during the gathering.

Additional police will be deployed to the airport area, Purbachal, and Firoza.

The security arrangements have been divided into three specific zones based on the gatherings. Special cards are being issued to those allowed to enter the red zone, and no one will be permitted entry without the card. A separate card will also be required to access the yellow zone and only cardholders will be allowed entry.

The DMP urged commuters to avoid the Purbachal Expressway from Mohakhali to Abdullahpur and the Kuril‑Malibagh stretch from 4:00am to 10:00pm tomorrow and use alternative routes.

As part of security measures, 2,500 police members will be deployed, said a senior DMP official asking not to be named.

The party expects around 50 lakh people to gather in Dhaka on the day.

The overall responsibility for Tarique’s security from the airport to Gulshan has been given to AKM Shamsul Islam.

Party‑based security arrangements will be used to the fullest extent including the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF), Shamsul said at a briefing yesterday.

“Then there are our party leaders and activists, and above all, the general people of Bangladesh. This is the main foundation of our security. From the government’s side, we are receiving the highest level of cooperation,” he added.

The government has ensured the required security measures for Tarique’s homecoming, said Shafiqul Alam, the chief adviser’s press secretary.

“From our side, we have made the highest effort to ensure foolproof security,” he said.

Centred on the 300 Feet area, party leaders and activists had already begun streaming into the venue last night.

Around 1,000 speakers are being installed across the airport area, Purbachal, Kanchan Bridge, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali and surrounding locations to broadcast his speech.

Hundreds of billboards and posters have been set up along roads between the airport and Gulshan. The BNP has also installed 30 large LED screens across the capital for people to watch the live telecast.

Leaders and activists from Dhaka and outside the capital were taking positions in the 300 Feet area from yesterday, the party said.

The BNP leaders and activists held celebratory processions in Dhaka and across the country.

Party activists and supporters from many districts arrived in Dhaka last night, using buses, cars and launches arranged by the party.

The Bangladesh Railway will operate 10 special trains to bring BNP supporters to the capital, earning around Tk 36 lakh in fares.

Some 20 medical camps complete with doctors, paramedics, medicines and ambulances are being set up across Dhaka. There will be a six‑bed temporary field hospital in the 300 Feet area, with an ambulance with ICU facilities. The party has installed mobile toilets and will be providing drinking water. Several thousand volunteers will be engaged in the whole service.

Separate bus parking has been arranged at the main entrances to the capital to avoid traffic. To facilitate the movement of patient‑carrying ambulances and international passengers, help desks have been set up in Kakoli Mor, and in front of the airport and Abdullahpur.

The Directorate General of Health Services has directed all medical colleges and specialised hospitals to be prepared to deal with any situation as a huge number of people will gather in Dhaka, The Daily Star has learnt from people involved with the proceedings.

Dhaka Civil Surgeon and DGHS’s divisional director have been asked to deploy additional medical teams.

In separate letters, hospital authorities across the country were asked to keep their emergency department and ambulance ready for three days starting today.

Also at yesterday’s briefing, Salahuddin outlined Tarique’s itinerary for the first two days following his return.

On Friday, after Juma prayers, Tarique will visit the grave of his father, President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher‑e‑Bangla Nagar in the capital. He will then go to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

Two more programmes are planned for Saturday. Tarique will complete the formalities related to his national identity card. It will be decided later whether he will personally go to the Election Commission office in Agargaon for this purpose. All procedures required for voter registration will be completed on the same day.

Later, he will visit the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka University. After paying respects there, Tarique will go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Shyamoli to visit those injured in the July uprising who are undergoing treatment there.

After his return, Tarique will regularly work from the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where a new office has been prepared for him on the second floor. A separate chamber has also been set up at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan.

During the 1/11‑backed government, Tarique was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family for medical treatment.