Tarique received Khaleda at Heathrow

Tarique Rahman received his mother Khaleda Zia at Heathrew Airport on Wednesday
Tarique Rahman received his mother Khaleda Zia at Heathrew Airport on Wednesday

STAFF REPORTER

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia reached London yesterday on a two-week personal tour for her eye treatment and health check up.

She will also celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha there with BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman and other family members.

A flight of Emirates Airlines (EK-585) carrying Khaleda Zia landed at Heathrow Airport at about 12:15pm (BST).As soon as Khaleda met her elder son Tarique Rahman at the VIP terminal of the airport, they hugged creating an emotional atmosphere there as the mother and the son saw each other after a long time.

Tarique Rahman received the former premier offering her a bouquet.

A large number of UK branch BNP leaders and activist who were waiting at the airport gave a gala reception to their long cherished leader Khaleda Zia. She also greeted them waving her hand.

Later Tarique Rahman took her to the hotel from the airport lobby by driving himself a private car.

BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo, BNP international affairs secretary Mahidur Rahman, human rights secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, former premier’s assistant press secretary Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, UK BNP president MA Malek, general secretary Koisor M Ahmed, Barrister MA Salam, Nasrullah Khan Junayed and Barrister Tariq Bin Aziz, among others, were present on the occasion.

Chairperson’s adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and party leader Abdul Awal Mintoo’s son Tabith Awal accompanied her.

Earlier, Khaleda left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:46pm on Tuesday.

Khaleda’s visit is considered to be a significant one for the party, as she is expected to discuss crucial political issues with her son Tarique, also the party’s second-in-command, and work out BNP’s next course of actions.

She has been visiting London for the second time since the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. In 2011, Khaleda met Tarique in London on her way back home from the USA.

Khaleda has been staying at a hotel in Central London along with her elder son Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zobaida Rahman and granddaughter Zaima Rahman, according to local BNP sources.

After the 1/11 changeover, the then-army backed caretaker government arrested Khaleda and her two sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko on corruption charges.

Being released in 2008, Tarique along with his wife and one daughter went to London for medical treatment. Since then, Tarique has been staying in London.

She is scheduled to return home on October 1.