Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned from nearly 17 years in exile on Thursday (December 25), a homecoming the party hopes will energize supporters with Rahman poised to be the top contender for prime minister in the upcoming election.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gather to join a grand rally to welcome BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman after his return from London, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 25, 2025. REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora DHAKA,

Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending 17 years in self-imposed exile with a promise to deliver safety and justice if his party

Tarique Rahman's Homecoming Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, made his return to Bangladesh on Thursday after spending 17 years in exile,

After 17 years in exile, the ‘prince’ of Bangladesh politics returns to Dhaka. Can he bring the BNP back to power, too?

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned from nearly 17 years in exile on Thursday, a homecoming the party hopes will energise supporters with Rahman poised to be the top contender for prime minister in February.

Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile.