Who is Tariq Rahman? He ended his 17-year exile and could become Bangladesh's Prime Minister. He was imprisoned at the age of four.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Following the Bangladesh elections, vote counting is underway. Tarique Rehman's BNP party, which returned to Bangladesh after 17 years, has crossed the majority mark.

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladeshi politics, and Tariq Rahman's election as Prime Minister is considered certain. So, let's explore who Tariq Rahman is and the challenges he faced to become Prime Minister.

Who is Tariq Rahman?

Tarique Rahman is the son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. Born on November 20, 1965, in Dhaka, Rahman was only four years old during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and was briefly detained. This is why his party, the BNP, honors him as "one of the youngest prisoners of war."

His father, Ziaur Rahman, was the founder and former president of the BNP, while his mother, Khaleda Zia, served as the country's prime minister three times. Tariq was interested in politics from a young age. In 1991, Tariq played a key role in making his mother, Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister.

17-year-old victim of exile

Tariq Rahman has been imprisoned, tortured, and subjected to political intrigue, and endured 17 years of exile. Living in London for 17 years, Tariq Rahman remained involved in politics, even though he was away from the country. He led his party through video calls, social media, and digital gatherings.

84 cases

Tariq Rahman faced approximately 84 cases, including dozens of criminal and corruption-related charges. He consistently denied these convictions as the result of political pressure. In March 2007, Tariq was arrested overnight by the military-backed interim government.

After being imprisoned, Tariq had to endure torture there. After being released on bail in September 2008, he went to London on the pretext of medical treatment and remained in self-exile for 17 years and from there he continued to command the BNP.

Tariq Rahman's political journey

The fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024 marked a significant shift in Bangladesh's legal environment. By the beginning of 2026, she had been acquitted in most major cases. Among those acquitted was the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina's rally, for which she had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018.

Following Sheikh Hasina's ouster from power, Tarique Rahman broke new ground in politics. After the formation of an interim government and the removal of legal hurdles, Tarique returned to Dhaka in December 2025. He had already met with Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, in London, signaling his shift in Bangladeshi politics.

Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh after 17 years, has won 151 seats and is leading in several others. In the 13th parliamentary election, Rahman won both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 by large margins.

Bogura is his family's ancestral stronghold, while the Dhaka-17 constituency is considered the heart of the national capital. Winning both seats has further strengthened his political standing.

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