A Political Journey Shaped by Legacy and Leadership

Born on 20 November 1965, Tarique Rahman became involved in politics during the anti-autocracy movement against Hussain Muhammad Ershad, joining street protests alongside his mother, Khaleda Zia. He formally entered politics in 1988 as a general member of the Gabtoli upazila unit in Bogura under the banner of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Starting from the grassroots level, he worked to organize party supporters and contributed to the movement that led to the fall of Ershad’s government. Ahead of the 1991 general election, he campaigned extensively across the country with Khaleda Zia, a campaign that ultimately brought BNP to power and made her Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister.

Between 2001 and 2006, during the BNP-led four-party alliance government, Tarique Rahman gained prominence for strengthening party structures at the union level through conferences and organizational reforms. In recognition of his efforts, he was appointed Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP in 2002.

During the military-backed caretaker government in 2007—widely referred to as the “1/11 government”—he was arrested on corruption charges. After spending approximately 18 months in prison, he was released in September 2008 and later moved to London with his family.

While abroad, he was elected Senior Vice Chairman of BNP at the party’s 2009 council. Over time, he took an increasingly active role in reorganizing the party. In 2018, after Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, he was appointed Acting Chairperson of BNP and led the party’s movement against the government of Sheikh Hasina, focusing on democratic rights and electoral issues.

The Zia Family in Bangladesh Politics

The political legacy of the Zia family began with Ziaur Rahman, a decorated freedom fighter who rose to national leadership following the events of 7 November 1975. He later became President of Bangladesh on 21 April 1977 after the resignation of Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.

On 1 September 1978, Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, serving as its chairman. Since 1991, the party has formed the government multiple times.

Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on 30 May 1981 in Chattogram by a group of rogue army officers. Following his death, Khaleda Zia entered active politics and eventually assumed leadership of the party, playing a key role in the anti-Ershad democratic movement.

With Tarique Rahman taking office as Prime Minister, the Zia family joined the short list of political families worldwide in which three members have served as head of state or government.

Tarique Rahman’s younger brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, passed away in January 2015 at the age of 44 due to cardiac arrest.

His wife, Zubaida Rahman, is a physician by profession. The couple has one daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman.