Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, is set to be reinstated in her previous government post following her return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile.

Sources at the Ministry of Health confirmed that official procedures for restoring Dr Zubaida Rahman's service are nearly complete, and a formal order is expected within days. 

Her government job was terminated under the Bangladesh Service Rules after she failed to report for duty upon returning to the country in 2013. 

She had originally gone to London in 2008 with her husband and daughter, Zaima Rahman, and had remained there since.

Dr Rahman returned to Dhaka on Tuesday (May 6) aboard a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. She was accompanied by her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as well as other family members including Syeda Shamila Rahman, widow of Arafat Rahman Koko.

The aircraft landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:42am, where Zubaida was seen attentively assisting her ailing mother-in-law in a visibly upbeat mood. The family left the airport at around 11:15am.

Though she is expected to stay primarily at her father’s residence in Dhanmondi, Dr Zubaida Rahman initially accompanied Khaleda Zia to her residence.

Mahbub Bhaban, the Dhanmondi home of Dr Zubaida Rahman's father, late Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, has been readied for her stay. Additional security has been deployed at the premises following a request from the BNP to the Inspector General of Police, citing security concerns.

Zubaida Rahman’s return has sparked renewed political interest, particularly within BNP circles, as speculation grows over her future role in the party’s leadership landscape.

SMS/