BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is returning to Bangladesh today after spending 17 years in exile in London.
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying him made a stop at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport before continuing to Dhaka.
The aircraft landed in Sylhet at around 9:58am and is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 11:50am.
Security arrangements have been strengthened for his movement.
A bulletproof vehicle was taken to the airport early in the morning and will be used to transport him to different programmes.
Tarique Rahman reached London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night at around 9:30pm Bangladesh time.
Leaders and activists of BNP’s UK unit accompanied him to the airport and saw him off up to the security area. After completing immigration formalities, he boarded the flight, which departed for Dhaka shortly after 12:30am.
He is travelling with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. BNP sources said around 50 party leaders and activists are also returning to Bangladesh on the same flight.
After landing in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman is expected to stay briefly at the airport’s VIP lounge, Rajnigandha. He will then travel by road to the reception venue at the 300 Feet area via Kuril.
There, he is scheduled to address party leaders and supporters and remain until the afternoon.
Later, he will go to Evercare Hospital through the Bashundhara G Block gate to visit his ailing mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He is expected to stay at the hospital for about an hour before returning to his residence in Gulshan.
Meanwhile, due to security concerns, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has restricted visitor entry to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport until 6:00pm. Security has been tightened in and around the airport, with SWAT teams kept on standby.
To welcome their leader, large numbers of BNP supporters gathered along the July 36 Expressway from early morning. Despite the cold weather, thousands spent the night at the venue hoping to see him.
As the day progressed, the area became crowded with people arriving from different parts of the country by bus, train and launch, while local leaders and activists joined the gathering in processions.
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