Govt to assist Tarique Rahman if he wishes to return: Foreign Adviser

The government is prepared to assist BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman if he chooses to return to Bangladesh, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Thursday (September 4).

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hossain clarified that the decision to return lies entirely with Tarique Rahman, who has been living in self-exile in London since 2008.

“If he wants to come back, the government will provide all necessary assistance, including resolving any issues related to travel documents,” said the Foreign Affairs Advisor.

“Whether he has applied for a passport or not—I don’t have that information. But if he does, we will provide the required documents to facilitate his return,” he added.

When asked whether the government would take any initiative on its own to bring him back, Touhid Hossain said, “I don’t think that is necessary. If he expresses his intention to return, we will certainly cooperate.”

Tarique Rahman, the son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been convicted in multiple cases in absentia and is currently living in the United Kingdom.

In response to a separate question, Touhid Hossain confirmed that no further communication has been made with India following the last diplomatic correspondence regarding the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a previous political crisis.