After a long wait of seven years, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to reunite with her eldest son and acting party chairman, Tarique Rahman, at London’s Heathrow Airport. This long-anticipated meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 8:00 AM local time upon her arrival in London.

According to senior leaders of the UK BNP, the air ambulance carrying Khaleda Zia will make a brief stopover in Doha, Qatar, before continuing its journey to London. Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, she will be escorted directly to a medical facility for necessary treatment and will not be visiting her son’s residence immediately.

Those expected to welcome her at the airport include Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Zaima Rahman, and Arafat Rahman Koko’s two daughters, Zafia and Zahia Rahman. Senior UK BNP leaders, including President MA Malek and General Secretary Koysar M Ahmed, will also be present to greet her.

Dr. Md. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, an adviser to the BNP chairperson, remarked that this reunion at Heathrow Airport will be a significant moment for the Zia family, symbolizing an emotional homecoming. Over the years, the family members have relied on video calls to stay connected. This meeting marks the first face-to-face interaction in many years, bringing a sense of joy and relief to everyone involved.

Khaleda Zia’s last visit to London took place in July 2017, when she traveled for follow-up medical treatment for her eyes and legs. On that occasion, she departed Dhaka aboard an Emirates Airlines flight, with a layover in Dubai before arriving at Heathrow. Her arrival in London was met with a grand welcome by Tarique Rahman and a large group of UK BNP members. At that time, both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman were overwhelmed with emotion during their meeting. Tarique personally drove her to her destination, although she chose to stay in a hotel instead of her son’s residence.

This latest journey brings hope for another poignant family reunion, rekindling bonds that have been strained by time, distance, and political challenges.