BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit his mother, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia upon his return to the country after nearly 18 years in exile.
The convener of the Tarique Rahman reception committee and BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed announced the information at a press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Wednesday noon.
He said, “Insha’Allah, Tarique Rahman will depart from London’s Heathrow Airport on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at midnight Bangladesh time and, after a stopover in Sylhet tomorrow morning, will land in Dhaka at 11:50 am.”
“The members of the BNP Standing Committee will extend a dignified reception to the leaders at the airport. Following the reception, Tarique Rahman will proceed to Evercare Hospital to be with the ailing former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia,” added Salahuddin.
He mentioned that a very brief public reception has been arranged on the service lane of one side of the Airport to 36 July Expressway (300-Foot Road) en route to the hospital. There, the BNP Acting Chairman will express his gratitude to the people of the country.
“This is neither a public meeting nor a formal reception programme. It is simply an event for him to express his sincere gratitude to the countrymen and to request prayers for the well-being of the ‘Deshnetri’ Khaleda Zia and all citizens,” Salahuddin emphasised.
The Standing Committee Member said that Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that could cause public suffering. For this reason, he has requested expatriate leaders and supporters not to gather at the London airport. He has also given clear instructions that no party programme in Bangladesh should create public inconvenience.
Salahuddin informed that Tarique Rahman chose a government holiday for his return day to minimise public disruption. “Instead of having a large programme in a central area of the capital, a very brief event has been planned on the service lane of one side of the comparatively less crowded 300-Foot Road (36 July Expressway).”
He further added that there will be no second speaker at this event other than Tarique Rahman. “Although it is not entirely possible to control the influx of eagerly waiting party activists and supporters from different parts of the country after 17 years, the party is making its utmost effort,” said Salahuddin.
Referring to the public inconvenience, he said, “We sincerely apologise for the unavoidable essential and minimal programmes adopted by the party to make our beloved leader’s historic return a reality, and for any inconvenience and suffering caused by them.”
The BNP leader announced a detailed list of vehicle parking arrangements at various entry points of Dhaka city.
For South Dhaka, parking has been arranged at Sayedabad, Demra Staff Quarter, Fulbaria, Gulistan Bus Terminal, Mohakhali Bus Terminal, and other locations.
For North Dhaka, parking facilities are available at Abdullahpur, Tongi, Bishwa Ijtema Field, Turag Field, Trade Fair Ground, Nila Market, Diabari, Gabtoli, Uttara Sector 17, and other places.
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