After ending a 17-year-long exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh on December 25. His homecoming has created a festive atmosphere among BNP leaders, activists, and supporters across the country.

According to top party policy-making sources, Tarique Rahman’s itinerary for the two days following his return has been finalized.

He is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around noon on Thursday, December 25. From the airport, he will head directly to a massive public rally venue adjacent to the 300 Feet area in Purbachal, where he is expected to address hundreds of thousands of supporters.

After the rally, Tarique Rahman will visit Evercare Hospital to meet his mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU.

Following his visit to the hospital, he will return to his residence at House No. 196 in Gulshan-2 to take rest.

Party insiders said that on Friday morning (December 26), Tarique Rahman will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War. He will then proceed to Chandrima Udyan to offer prayers at the mausoleum of his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007, during the caretaker government period widely known as the “1/11 era.” Allegations of severe physical and mental torture during his detention and remand were raised, reportedly causing serious spinal injuries.

After spending nearly 18 months in prison, he was granted bail by the High Court on September 3, 2008. On September 11 that year, he left for London with his family for advanced medical treatment and remained there under political asylum.