Tarique Rahman’s return to fill political vacuum: Press Secretary

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday (December 25) said the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman would help fill a significant political vacuum in Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters after exchanging Christmas greetings with members of the Christian community at the Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon, Shafiqul Alam said, “There is indeed a political vacuum in Bangladesh, and Tarique Rahman’s return will help address it.”

Welcoming Rahman’s homecoming after 17 years in exile, he described him as the leader of the country’s largest political party and said his return would have a positive impact on national politics.

Tarique Rahman arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday, with his Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight landing in Sylhet at 9:56am before touching down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:39am after a brief stopover.

Referring to the upcoming national election, the press secretary said Bangladesh is currently undergoing a democratic transition and expressed hope that Rahman’s return would make the process smoother.

On security arrangements, Shafiqul Alam said BNP is overseeing Tarique Rahman’s security, with the government providing full cooperation as required.

Responding to a question about the resignation of Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Home Ministry) Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, he said the resignation took place around midnight on Wednesday, though the reason was not yet known.

Earlier, Shafiqul Alam said Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony ensures that people of all faiths can observe religious festivals safely and peacefully, which he described as a core element of democracy.