Tarique Rahman

Last updated

Zubaida Rahman
​
(m. 1994)​
Tarique Rahman
তারেক রহমান
Tarique Rahman in november 2021.jpg
Tarique addressing in a program, 2021
Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Relations
Children Zaima Rahman (daughter)
Parents
RelativesSee Majumder–Zia family
Residence(s) London, United Kingdom
Alma mater
Signature Tarique Rahman signature.svg
Website www.tariquerahman.info
NicknamePinu [2]

Tarique Rahman [a] (born 20 November 1965), better known natively as Tarique Zia, [b] is a Bangladeshi politician who has been the acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since February 2018. [3] [4] He is the eldest son of former Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman and the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia. He is also the publisher of the Daily Dinkal . [5]

Contents

Tarique got involved in politics from a young age and rose to prominence in the BNP during his mother's tenure as prime minister in the early 2000s. [6] After the Awami League's landslide victory in the 2008 general election, [7] he went into self-imposed exile in London, citing concerns for his safety and claiming that he was being persecuted by the authorities. [8] [9]

He was convicted by the courts during the Sheikh Hasina government on multiple charges including corruption, bribery, money laundering, illegal acquisition of wealth, and grenade attacks. [10] [11] A total of 84 cases were filed against him after 2007. [12] BNP claims that these are politically motivated false charges. Later in 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government, the court acquitted him of all charges and his sentence was quashed. [13] [14] Currently, no cases are pending against Tarique Rahman. [12]

Tarique is often described as the de facto leader of the opposition in Bangladesh. [15] [16] Tarique remains a controversial figure in the country's politics, with many of his detractors accusing him of corruption and nepotism. [17] [18] [19]

Early life and education

Tarique was born on 20 November 1965 in Dacca, East Pakistan, modern-day Dhaka, Bangladesh. [20] [21] He belonged to a notable Bengali Muslim political family of Mandals hailing from Bagbari in Gabtali, Bogra. His father, Ziaur Rahman, was a Pakistan military officer, who would later become a Bir Uttom receiptant and the President of Bangladesh, and his mother, Khaleda Zia, was a homemaker, who would later become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

In his early childhood, he studied at BAF Shaheen School [21] and St. Joseph Higher Secondary School. [22] [23] He completed his SSC from Dhaka Residential Model College. [21] He then earned his HSC from Adamjee Cantonment College. [24] In 1984–85, he was admitted to the University of Dhaka first in the Department of Law and later in the Department of International Relations. [24]

Early political career

Rahman started his political career as a primary member of the upazila branch of the BNP Gabtali, Bogra (currently spelled Bogura) in 1988. [25] During that period, he proactively organized the party units of Bogura and changed the inherent cultures to make politics more production and development oriented. [26]

Rahman was a member of the BNP's National Campaign Strategy Committee and was also responsible for coordinating the national election campaigns in five constituencies in which his mother Khaleda Zia was running. [26] Rahman actively assembled support for the party during 1991 national election, when the transition was taking place from military government to the elected government.

After the BNP's success in 1991 election and the formation of the new government, Tarique was offered a senior role in the party as recognition of his contributions. However, he was reluctant to take up a higher position, preferring to have enough time to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. For many years, he remained active in developing the Bogura units of the BNP. During 1996 national election [ which? ], the party grassroots and the senior leadership requested Rahman to contest a constituency from Bogura, but he declined the offer with a view to furthering his work at the grassroots levels and coordinating the election campaigns for his mother. [27]

During the rule of the Awami League from 1996 to 2001, Tarique mobilized movements against the actions of the government. He actively campaigned to address issues of economic deprivation and started championing a countrywide consultation program aimed at publicizing the plight of the people living in rural areas. In 2001 national election, the BNP won a landslide victory with a two-thirds majority. [28]

During the BNP's tenure between 2001 and 2006, 2004 Dhaka grenade attack occurred, which targeted a public rally organized by the then-opposition party Awami League. The attack targeted the entire top leadership of the Awami League, including the leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina, and killed 24 Awami league leaders and workers including Ivy Rahman, the president of Mohila Awami League and the wife of former Bangladeshi president Zillur Rahman. The attack also injured hundreds of Awami League members. Tarique was the prime suspect in the incident, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment by Bangladesh Court. [29] [30] In 2024, Tarique was acquitted after the whole trial's proceedings were judged to be "illegal". [31]

Exile to London (2008–present)

Tarique giving speech in a BNP programme, 2005 Tarique in Council.jpg
Tarique giving speech in a BNP programme, 2005

Following the release of Tarique's mother Khaleda on 11 September 2008, he flew to London for medical treatment at Wellington hospital, an independent private hospital in St. John's Wood. The 1/11 caretaker government, backed by the army, confirmed that Tarique had given a written promise to not indulge in any future politics and was thus allowed to go abroad. [32]

Senior Vice Chairman of the BNP

On 8 December 2009, Tarique was elected as the Senior Vice Chairman of the BNP at its 5th National Council held in Dhaka. [33] [34] A recorded speech by him was broadcast to the public at the council. In the speech, he described his arrest and torture during his detention by the 1/11 government that came to power in January 2007. He claimed that a "conspiracy" was hatched to kill him through torture under the "guise of a judicial system". Tarique described his physical condition and said that he needed more time to complete his treatment. [35]

Khaleda said her son would take part in active politics upon his return from abroad after completing treatment. She addressed a few public meetings on her way to Bogura and alleged that the then-present government was trying to harass her son so that he could not return to the country. She said:

Tareque worked for the development of the country, but a lot of cases were filed only to destroy him as a part of national as well as international conspiracies... On March 7, 2007, he was picked up in a car right in front of me. But after the custody my son had to be sent abroad in a stretcher for treatment... Doctors have said his recovery will take more time... [36]

On 4 January 2014, in a video message posted on YouTube, [37] Tarique called for a boycott of the next day's national election in Bangladesh. [38]

In 2015, Tarique registered a private firm by the name of White and Blue Consultants Limited, which is a PR and communications firm. The documentation of incorporation filed with the UK Companies House shows that Tarique listed his nationality as British. However, in 2016, he amended the paperwork and listed his nationality as Bangladeshi. [39] However, this error has been used by many as evidence to support claims of state officials including Md. Shahriar Alam that he acquired British citizenship. [40] [41] Tarique Rahman denied this claim and served a legal notice to Md. Shahriar Alam demanding an apology for his remarks about him allegedly having British citizenship. [40]

Acting leader of the BNP (2018–present)

Tarique Rahman and Prof. Dr. Yunus meeting in London Tarique Rahman and Prof. Dr. Yunus meeting in London 2.jpg
Tarique Rahman and Prof. Dr. Yunus meeting in London

In November 2018, Rahman conducted the interview process through Skype for the nomination seekers of BNP at the 2018 National election. [42] [43]

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina, Tarique pledged to return to Bangladesh after the cases against him were lifted. [44] He also pledged to support the reform process of the interim government. [45]

On 13 June 2025, a private meeting was held between Tarique and the chief adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, who was in a visit to the United Kingdom. [46] [47] After the meeting, the representatives of both sides issued a joint statement. [48] The meeting was cited as a "turning point" by the BNP sources. [49] [50]

Cases and controversies

Hawa Bhaban controversy

The bribery and money laundering issue through Hawa Bhaban is known as a significant and controversial scandal in Bangladesh. [51] [52] Tarique Rahman and several top BNP leaders are at the center of these allegations. [53] There are allegations that Tarique Rahman and his associates accepted bribes from various businessmen and political rivals through Hawa Bhaban and laundered the money abroad. [51] [54] [55] Based on these allegations, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh (ACC) began an investigation in 2007, and he was also investigated by the FBI in the United States and the courts in Singapore. [56]

In 2007, the Bangladeshi government launched an investigation against Tarique Rahman on charges of bribery and money laundering. [57] This led to evidence of various business dealings and international money laundering against him. [56] [54]

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Singaporean courts also found evidence of money laundering against him. [58] [59] The investigation led to allegations that he laundered about $20 million abroad. [56] [60]

In 2010, a case was filed in Bangladesh on charges of money laundering and bribery. The charges include accepting bribes from various businessmen through Hawa Bhaban and laundering that money abroad. [61]

On 20 March 2025, the court acquitted him in this case. [62] [63]

Money laundering case

On 7 June 2007, a money laundering case was submitted against Rahman and his friend and business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun by the Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission at a court in Dhaka. [64] [65] In a verdict given on 18 November 2013 by the court, Rahman was acquitted in the case involving BDT 20.41 crore. After delivering the verdict, the trial court judge left the country, giving rise to speculations that he had acquitted Tarique following an alleged deal. [66] Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission member Mohammed Shahabuddin rejected the verdict, saying: [67]

"Tarique and Mamun had equal footing in the crime. So, legally there was no scope to differentiate."

BNP officials and leaders have claimed that this judgement is proof of his innocence, that he had no involvement with corruption, and that all the cases against Rahman were "politically motivated". [68]

On 21 July 2016, Rahman was found guilty by the Bangladesh High Court, overturning a lower court verdict that acquitted him earlier. He was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment and fined Tk 20 crore by the Court. [69] [70] [71] In its observation of the verdict, the High Court commented: [72]

"Corruption practices and political influence are enabling individuals or groups to commit financial crimes like money laundering. It is time to stop such crimes under the political umbrella for the welfare and development of the country."

On 5 December 2024, he and his friend Giasuddin Al Mamun were acquitted by the high court of Bangladesh. [73] [74]

Illegal wealth acquisition

The ACC filed a case against Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and Zubaida Rahman's mother Syeda Iqbal Banu in 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government on allegations that Tarique Rahman and his wife had illegal assets worth more than 48 million taka beyond their declared income. [75]

On 31 March 2009, the investigating officer filed a chargesheet against the three in court. However, the trial against Zubaida's mother Syeda Iqbal Banu was later dismissed. The court recorded the statements of 42 witnesses for the prosecution, including the complainant in the case. [76] [77]

A Dhaka court sentenced Tarique Rahman to nine years in prison and a fine of Tk 30 million, and his wife Zubaida Rahman to three years in prison and a fine of Tk 3.5 million. [78] At the same time, the court ordered the confiscation of Tarique's illegal assets worth about Tk 3.5 million in favor of the state. [79]

In October 2024, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus suspended the sentence of Tarique Rahman's wife Zubaida Rahman for one year in a case filed on charges of acquiring wealth outside known sources of income, on the condition of surrender and appeal. On 28 May 2025, Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman were acquitted of all charges after being found innocent in the case. [80]

The Zia Charitable Trust corruption controversy

The Zia Charitable Trust corruption case is a much-discussed and controversial case filed against former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman, among others. [81] The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in 2008. [82] It was alleged that a foreign grant of about Tk 2.1 crore was given to the Zia Orphanage Trust in 2004, but it was used for personal purposes instead of being spent on the trust's work. [81] [83] This led to allegations of misuse of state resources.

The case named former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, accusing them of personally embezzling foreign grant money. [84] Although Khaleda Zia was directly accused in the case, Tarique Rahman's name was discussed in the case due to the political situation at the time and his political position. [85]

The trial of the case began in 2011. Following the investigation and judicial proceedings, on 8 February 2018, a special court in Dhaka sentenced Khaleda Zia to 5 years in prison and Tarique Rahman and the other accused to 10 years in prison. [86] [87] The High Court later doubled her jail term in that case. [88] [89] Since Tarique Rahman was in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, he did not appear in court and the verdict was delivered in his absence. The verdict caused a stir in Bangladeshi politics immediately after the announcement, and its impact was long-lasting.

Khaleda Zia appealed to the High Court to suspend her sentence and was released on bail for some time. [90] Tarique Rahman, although in exile in the UK, was issued an international arrest warrant. The case is politically significant and its impact is particularly visible in the political arena of Bangladesh.

The case has been the subject of much controversy both at home and abroad. [91] [92] The BNP and its supporters have claimed that the case is politically motivated, while the Awami League has called it an important legal step. [93] [94] The verdict in the case has been the subject of disagreement among various political analysts and legal experts.

On 15 January 2025, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, along with all the accused, were acquitted in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. [95] [96]

2004 Dhaka grenade attack case

On August 21, 2004, a grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka killed 24 people and injured about 300, including then-opposition leader Sheikh Hasina. [97] [98] [99] On August 22, Motijheel Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Faruk Ahmed filed a case as the plaintiff. [100] Tarique Rahman was not named as an accused in the case. The Awami League alleged that the investigation under the then BNP government was slow and confusing, and that there was an attempt to cover up the real conspirators of the attack. [101] [102] [103]

When the reinvestigation of the case began during the caretaker government in 2007, the names of Mufti Abdul Hannan, leader of the banned organization Harkatul Jihad, and Abdus Salam Pintu, deputy minister of the then BNP government, came up.

When the Awami League came to power in 2009, a further investigation was carried out. [104] The investigation revealed the names of Tarique Rahman and other high-ranking BNP leaders. In 2011, Tarique Rahman was named as the main conspirator in the supplementary charge sheet and was formally charged in the case. He was accused of being the mastermind of the attack by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader; however, the accusation was denied by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. [105]

The trial officially began in 2012. After a long hearing, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal announced its verdict in the August 21 grenade attack case on October 10, 2018. [100] The court identified Tariq Rahman as the main conspirator of the attack and sentenced Tariq to life imprisonment in the verdict for the case of the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack. [106] [107] However, the verdict was given in his absence as he was staying abroad. He was shown as a 'fugitive' in the charge sheet. In observing the verdict in this case, the court said: [108] [109]

This attack, with the help of the state apparatus, was an attempt to make the Awami League leaderless.

The BNP denies any link to the attack. It alleges that the verdict was given to ruin BNP in a planned way, and to fulfill the desire of the government's a special person.. [110] [111]

On 22 November 2024, the High Court concluded a hearing on the appeals and death references of the grenade attack cases. [112] [113] On 1 December 2024, Tarique, Lutfozzaman Babar, and 47 others were acquitted by the court. [114] [115] [116] The High Court has recommended that the Home Ministry take the necessary measures to conduct a new investigation into the August 21 grenade attack case through appropriate and expert agencies to ensure justice. [117]

10-Truck Arms and Ammunition Haul

The 10-Truck Arms Case is a major and controversial case in Bangladesh, which began on 28 April 2004, when a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized in 10 trucks in Chittagong. [118] [119] Tarique Rahman was allegedly involved in the case. [120] He was accused of being involved in the arms and it was claimed that the arms were collected for use in gunfights during the BNP government. [121] [122] It was alleged that the arms were intended to be smuggled to banned armed groups in India. Tarique Rahman and other BNP leaders were investigated for their involvement in the case. [123] It was alleged that Tarique Rahman was involved in the arms smuggling scheme. [124] [123] [125]

The BNP filed a complaint, considering the case to be politically motivated. [126] [127] They claimed that the case was part of political vendetta and Tarique Rahman was deliberately targeted. [126] [128] On the other hand, the ruling party presented the case as a strong step against political crimes.

On 18 December 2024, the High Court acquitted four people in the case, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Director General of NSI, retired Major General Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury. [129]

Sedition case

On 2014, Tarique Rahman made a speech about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at an event in London during a discussion organized by BNP, referred to Bangabandhu as a "Razakar" [130] [131] [132] and "Pakbandhu" (friend of Pakistan). [133] [134] [130] [135] Often referred to as 'insolent' and 'stupid' by his political rivals, [136] [137] [138] [139] Tarique labeled Bangabandhu's family a "curse for Bangladesh" [140] [141] [142] and referred to the Awami League as "a black sheep." [134] [143] He referred to Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as an "illegal prime minister" and called for his prosecution for 'treason'. [134] He also claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had returned home 'with a Pakistani passport' in 1972. [134] [144]

These comments caused tension and protests in the country, and multiple legal notices were sent [145] and sedition cases were filed throughout the country. [146] [147] [148]

Jashore

On 22 January 2014, The Awami League's Jashore district unit's then-organizing secretary, SM Afzal Hossain, filed a lawsuit, claiming that Tarique Rahman had committed sedition by making disparaging, hateful, and disrespectful words about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. [149]

On April 4, 2017, the police handed in the charge sheet to the court. The court subsequently issued an arrest warrant in the case against Rahman. [149]

On 10 March 2025 the District and Sessions Judge’s Court Jashore acquitted Rahman and dismissed a sedition case filed in 2014. [149]

Noakhali

On February 28, 2015, Advocate Omar Faruk, President of the Subornachar Upazila Awami League, filed a case against Tarique Rahman at the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court. [150]

On April 4, 2017, the police filed the charge sheet to the court. The court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Rahman in the matter.

On August 21, 2024, Noakhali Additional District and Sessions Judge Court acquitted him of sedition charges laid on April 4, 2017. [150] [151]

Live TV Statement

On January 5, 2015, Tarique Rahman delivered a live statement on the Ekushey TV channel. [152]

Tejgaon Police Station filed a case claiming that Tarique Rahman in collusion with others was involved in publishing false and fabricated information, posing a threat to the sovereignty of the country and spreading hatred against the government. [153] [154]

On September 6, 2017, police handed in a chargesheet against them. [155]

On October 31, 2024, The High Court scrapped the case. [153] [156]

Personal life

Rahman currently lives in suburban London. [38] He married Zubaida Rahman on 3 February 1994, [157] [158] a physician and the youngest daughter of Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, former Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy [159] [160] and the first cousin of Irene Khan, currently serving as the United Nations Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion. [161] Zubaida became a government physician in 1995 after passing the Bangladesh Civil Service exam and fired by the Awami League government in September 2014 for being absent from work for six years. [159] Their only daughter, Zaima Rahman, is a barrister. [162]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Bengali: তারেক রহমান, romanized: Tārēk Rôhômān, pronounced [ˈtaːɾekˈɾɔɦoman]
  2. ↑ Bengali: তারেক জিয়া, romanized: Tārēk Jiẏā, pronounced [ˈtaːɾekˈd͡ʒija]

    Citations

    1. ↑ "Tarique Rahman turns 60 amid no birthday celebrations". The Daily Observer . 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
    2. ↑ তারেক রহমানের ৬০তম জন্মদিন আজ. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
    3. ↑ "Tarique Rahman acting chairman: BNP leader". The Daily Star . 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023.
    4. ↑ "Who will lead the BNP at the next election?". Dhaka Tribune . 22 June 2022. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
    5. ↑ "Dainik Dinkal gets permission to resume publication". The Daily Star . 12 August 2024. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024.
    6. ↑ "Bangladesh holding 'sham' election: Exiled opposition leader Tarique Rahman". Al Jazeera. 4 January 2024. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
    7. ↑ Sengupta, Somini; Manik, Julfikar Ali (30 December 2008). "Secular Party Wins Landslide Victory in Bangladesh". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
    8. ↑ "Tarique Rahman on Why the BNP Is Boycotting the Bangladesh Elections". The Diplomat . 18 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024.
    9. ↑ "What Tarique Rahman's 'return' from political exile could mean for Bangladesh". India Today . 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024.
    10. ↑ "Hefty sentences for deadly 2004 attack in Bangladesh". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
    11. ↑ "Bangladesh court jails opposition leader's son". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 7 March 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    12. 1 2 "Tarique, Zubaida now cleared of all cases". New Age. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    13. ↑ "Bangladesh court acquits Zia's son and 48 others convicted in 2004 deadly grenade attack". Associated Press . 1 December 2024. Archived from the original on 8 January 2025.
    14. ↑ "SC acquits BNP's Tarique Rahman in money laundering case". The Financial Express. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    15. ↑ "Tarique to act as party chairman". Prothom Alo . 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
    16. ↑ "Top 12 Politicians of Bangladesh (With Pictures)". Your Article Library. 5 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
    17. ↑ "Tarique Rahman - flawed heir apparent?". 8 March 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
    18. ↑ "::: Star Weekend Magazine :::". archive.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
    19. ↑ "Tarique laundered money". The Daily Star. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
    20. ↑ "Tarique Rahman turns 60 today". The Business Standard . 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
    21. 1 2 3 "Tarique Rahman Biography". Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
    22. ↑ আলম, মাসুদ (10 April 2025). 'তারেক রহমান সেন্ট যোসেফে আমাকে ১ টাকা ২৫ পয়সার বার্গার কিনে খাওয়ান'. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
    23. ↑ "Law minister labels Tarique 'ill-mannered'". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 20 June 2025.
    24. 1 2 "Personal life". Tarique Rahman. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
    25. ↑ "BNP acting chairman Tarique turns 60". The Financial Express . 21 November 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024.
    26. 1 2 "The Political Thought of Tarique Rahman"
    27. ↑ "Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia Head Of Bangladesh National Party, Appointed First Woman Prime Minister". ITN Source . 18 March 1991. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
    28. ↑ "Share of Votes by Party". Bangladesh Election Commission . Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
    29. ↑ "It was Hawa Bhavan Plot". The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
    30. ↑ "19 sentenced to death, 19 to life imprisonment in 2004 grenade attack in Bangladesh". The Economic Times . 10 October 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
    31. ↑ "21 August grenade attack: HC acquits Tarique, Babar, all others". The Business Standard . 1 December 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
    32. ↑ "Britain to consider BNP chief's visa". New Age . Retrieved 8 November 2020.
    33. ↑ "Tarique made senior vice chair". bdnews24.com . 8 December 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
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    35. ↑ "AL hopes BNP council will strengthen democracy". Bdnews24.com . 8 December 2009. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    36. ↑ "Tarique coming back to politics". The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 21 November 2009. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
    37. ↑ "Tarique Rahman's London Speech | 3rd January 2014". 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2014– via YouTube.
    38. 1 2 "Tarique calls for poll boycott". bdnews24.com . 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
    39. ↑ "Did Tarique register his PR firm in UK as a British citizen in 2015?". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
    40. 1 2 "Tarique Rahman issues legal notice against State Minister Shahriar Alam". Dhaka Tribune . 23 April 2018. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024.
    41. ↑ "Tarique Zia got British Citizenship". Bangla Insider. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
    42. ↑ "Tarique joins nomination seekers' interview thru' Skype". The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
    43. ↑ "Tarique's taking BNP nomination seekers' interview illegal: Quader". The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 19 November 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
    44. ↑ "Fakhrul: Tarique Rahman will return home after legal proceedings end". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 21 January 2025.
    45. ↑ "Tarique: BNP has no discord with interim govt over reforms". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 21 January 2025.
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    47. ↑ "'Historic' Yunus-Tarique meeting ends after nearly 1.5 hours of discussions on polls, other crucial issues". The Business Standard. 13 June 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    48. ↑ "Yunus-Tarique meeting a 'turning point': Mirza Fakhrul". Prothom Alo. 13 June 2025. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    49. ↑ "A Turning Point in Bangladesh Politics: The Yunus-Rahman Dialogue". dailypeoplestime.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    50. ↑ Hossain, Sajjad (11 June 2025). "Yunus-Tarique meet: 'A potential turning point'". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
    51. 1 2 "Mamun tells court he used Hawa Bhaban links for extortion". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
    52. ↑ "The Dark Prince and his Hawa Bhaban: Mountains of cash". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
    53. ↑ "The Dark Prince and his 'Hawa Bhaban'". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
    54. 1 2 "Son of Bangladesh ex-PM jailed". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
    55. ↑ "FBI probe finds Khaleda, Tarique received kickbacks from Niko". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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