The question of whether Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh anytime soon has once again moved to the forefront of national politics, as conflicting signals from the BNP’s acting chairman and the interim government draw widespread attention.

Hours after Tarique Rahman hinted that invisible hurdles still stand in the way of his homecoming, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam clarified that the interim government has placed “no restrictions or objections” on his return. 

The statement, posted on Facebook on Saturday

on, appears aimed at countering the BNP leader’s suggestion that he does not have unfettered control over decisions concerning his arrival.

Tarique Rahman, the elder son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been living in the United Kingdom since 2008 after being released from prison during the post-1/11 political upheaval. 

Although he has continued to lead the BNP from abroad, the possibility of his return intensified after last year’s July uprising removed the Awami League from power and several convictions against him were overturned.

Over recent weeks, indications had mounted that he could fly back to Dhaka soon—particularly as his mother’s health sharply deteriorated. 

Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister, is currently in critical condition at Evercare Hospital in the capital. 

BNP leaders and thousands of supporters have openly voiced hope that her worsening condition would prompt her son to return without delay.

Those expectations were tempered this morning. At 8:45am Bangladesh time, Tarique Rahman posted a message on his verified Facebook page expressing deep emotional anguish over his mother’s condition.

He wrote: “In such a moment of crisis, the intense longing to feel my mother’s affectionate touch is as strong for me as it would be for any child. But, unlike others, the opportunity to decide freely on returning home is neither unrestricted nor solely within my control.”

Without clarifying the source of the obstacles, he added that the matter was “sensitive” and offered limited scope for detailed explanation. He expressed hope that once the “political realities” reached an expected stage, his “long, anxious wait” to return home would finally end.

Tarique Rahman also urged everyone to continue praying for Khaleda Zia, acknowledging the outpouring of sympathy and support from citizens, medical teams and even friendly states that have offered advanced medical assistance.

Hours later, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam’s statement added a new dimension to the unfolding narrative. 

He reaffirmed that the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, holds no position that would prevent Tarique Rahman from returning. He noted that the Chief Adviser has already conveyed his deep concern about Khaleda Zia’s health and requested the nation to pray for her recovery.

The contrasting messages have stirred debate among political observers, many of whom believe the situation reflects the complex interplay of legal, political and personal considerations that have long shaped Tarique Rahman’s position within Bangladeshi politics.

Born on 20 November 1965, Tarique Rahman—also known domestically as Tarique Zia—has been acting chairman of the BNP since February 2018. As the eldest son of the late president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, his political significance is entrenched both historically and symbolically.

Today, with his mother critically ill and his political fate intertwined with the shifting landscape of the post-uprising era, the question of his return has become one of the most closely watched issues in Bangladesh. 

Whether his homecoming will occur soon or remain suspended in uncertainty now depends on factors that—by his own admission—lie beyond his exclusive control.