Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son Tariq Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years

Dhaka: Tareq Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and a key political leader, is returning to Bangladesh on Thursday after 17 years. The return of political leader Tareq Rahman is being seen as a major event in the country's politics ahead of the expected general elections in February 2026, the BNP has obtained permission to hold a public gathering in Dhaka to welcome him. Dhaka, 23 December (UNI) Tareq Rahman is returning to Bangladesh at a time when the country is going through a sensitive period due to political unrest, violence, and the activities of extremist elements. According to political analysts, the BNP is emerging as the strongest party in the elections, and its chances of success are high without any major unexpected situation. Tareq Rahman has clarified in recent months that if the BNP forms a government, Bangladesh's foreign policy will be 'Bangladesh First'. According to him, the country's decisions will be made in the national interest without any external pressure. This stance is different from the foreign policy of the head of the caretaker government, Muhammad Yunus, whom the BNP has accused of making long-term decisions without an elected mandate. The BNP has also accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League, of authoritarianism and weakening democracy, while differences have also emerged with the caretaker government over the issue of holding elections. Meanwhile, the return of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh to politics and its role in the elections is also being discussed, Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that it will stay away from its traditional political alliance, which could make the electoral competition more complex. It is worth noting that Tareq Rahman went to the UK in 2008 for treatment and other reasons after 18 months in prison.