Tarique Rahman leaves for Heathrow as crowd gathers at reception venue

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has left his London residence for Heathrow airport, beginning his journey back to Bangladesh, while a large crowd of party leaders and activists has started gathering at his reception venue in Dhaka.

According to party sources, Tarique Rahman departed for Heathrow on Wednesday evening Bangladesh time, accompanied by his family members. He is scheduled to leave Heathrow around midnight on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. His wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman are also travelling with him.

Earlier in the day, at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, return committee convener Salahuddin said Tarique Rahman would depart from Heathrow at midnight Bangladesh time, land briefly in Sylhet and then arrive in Dhaka at 11.20am the following morning, God willing. BNP standing committee members will receive him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists have begun gathering in large numbers at the reception venue in the capital’s 300 Feet area. A stage has already been set up, and senior party leaders visited the site on Wednesday afternoon to inspect the preparations.

From the afternoon onwards, activists from different parts of the country started arriving, creating a festive atmosphere. Some supporters reached the area a day earlier to secure positions, while others were seen moving around the venue.

After landing in Dhaka on Thursday, December 25, Tarique Rahman is expected to proceed directly to the reception venue.