His mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, welcomed him by placing a floral garland around his neck.
From the VIP lounge, Tarique made a phone call to chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, thanking him for the arrangements made for his return and security.
He then boarded a specially prepared bulletproof bus bearing the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ at its front.
Tarique’s motorcade left the airport at around 12:30pm under heavy security, with army personnel deployed on both sides of his route.
At around 3:50pm, the BNP acting chair arrived at the reception venue when the surrounding areas became full of life with slogans chanted by party leaders, activists, and supporters.
The area witnessed great excitement as he took to the stage and waved in response to greetings and goodwill gestures from the gathering.
Tarique said that the blood of the martyrs had placed a responsibility on the nation to build the Bangladesh they had envisioned, adding that repaying this debt required collective efforts to realise the country the people expected and to work together for their welfare.
He also appealed for calm and order, repeatedly urging everyone to avoid disorder and saying that the country needed peace.
Tarique paid tribute to Sharif Osman Hadi, the young activist of the July uprising who was recently killed by bullets, saying that Hadi had wanted democracy to be established and the democratic rights of the people to be restored.
‘No matter what our religion, class, or political identity are, we must ensure peace and security in this country at all costs,’ Tarique asserted.
From the early hours of the morning, massive crowds began gathering at the reception site. By 10:00am, the venue and surrounding neighbourhoods were completely packed with activists and supporters, leaving little space open.
Security personnel were deployed throughout the venue and nearby places to maintain order.
Large screens installed on and around the stage showcased documentaries on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and the July uprising.
Supporters continued arriving from multiple highways, while many processions were accompanied by band music, adding to the celebratory mood as followers welcomed Tarique Rahman back to the country.
Tarique said that although his heart, as a son, was with his mother in her hospital room, he could not avoid the people for whom Khaleda Zia had dedicated her life, citing that that was why he chose to address the gathering before visiting her.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members were present on the reception stage.
Among others, leaders of the BNP’s allied parties— including Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Nagorik Oikya, Ganosamhati Andolan, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Forum, National Democratic Movement, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh — also attended the reception.
Although leaders of the National Citizen Party were not present, party convener Nahid Islam hailed Tarique’s homecoming in a Facebook post.
After concluding the reception Tarique headed to Evercare Hospital to visit his mother Khaleda Zia.
He left the reception stage at around 4:45pm and arrived at the hospital at approximately 5:50pm.
The 79-year old leader, who has long been suffering from multiple chronic health complications, including liver and kidney diseases, heart ailments, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and recurrent infections, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23.
After visiting his ailing mother at her bedside, Tarique left the hospital at around 7:00pm, heading to his Gulshan residence in a convoy.
Tarique Rahman had previously been sentenced in several cases, including to a life-term imprisonment, and faced numerous other charges, most of which were filed during the 2007–08 military-backed caretaker government.
He was arrested during an anti-corruption drive in March 2007 and released on bail on September 3, 2008, after which he travelled to London on September 11 for medical treatment and remained there.
Following the end of the Awami League’s 16-year rule on August 5, 2024 amid a mass uprising, the High Court acquitted Tarique of all cases filed during both the caretaker government and Awami League administration periods, clearing the legal hurdles to his return.
On the occasion of Tarique’s return, most city roads remained relatively clear on Thursday, except around the reception venue, as public transport was limited.
Commuters struggled to find buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, and ridesharing vehicles, with some paying significantly higher fares than usual.
Inter-district bus services operated normally on northern, southern, and western routes, but those to Gazipur and Mymensingh did not run until the afternoon.
The Bangladesh Railway cancelled three scheduled trains but operated 10 special services to transport BNP leaders and supporters from remote areas.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police effected road diversions and designated parking for party vehicles, while the Dhaka airport allowed entry only to the authorised passengers.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines advised its passengers to allocate extra time for their travels.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway was made toll-free for four hours between 11:00am and 3:00pm under interim government arrangements.
