Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka today, ending 17 years in exile. Rahman departed from London’s Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that Tarique Rahman will deliver a brief address to party supporters after arriving in Dhaka. He will also visit his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at a Hospital in Dhaka. Local media reported that he will also complete the formalities to become a registered voter. His return to Bangladesh comes at a time when the Election Commission announced that the country’s 13th national parliamentary election will be held on 12th of February, next year.