Dr Zubaida returns home after 17 years of exile in London

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman returned home on Tuesday with her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, ending her 17 years of exile in London.

Hours after returning home she went to Square Hospital in the capital to visit her ailing mother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu.

Zubaida left the Gulshan residence of her mother-in-law and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia around 6:15pm and reached the hospital at around 6:40pm, creating an emotional reunion between mother and daughter, said BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon.

Zubaida's mother was recently admitted to the hospital with various age-related complications.

Speaking at a press briefing in front of Gulshan residence of BNP Chairperson at Firoza, her personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain said, "Zubaida Rahman, who accompanied Khaleda Zia on her return from London, is expected to stay in the country for a few days."

Zahid said as her husband and daughter are still in London, it is natural for her to travel back there briefly.

"She might leave for London after a few days. But she will soon return permanently with her husband Tarique Rahman, who will then lead the final stage of the movement to restore democracy in the country," Zahid added.

Zubaida will be mostly staying at her father's residence in Dhanmondi.

Her father's house, known as 'Mahbub Bhaban', located at road 5 in Dhanmondi, has also been prepared to receive Zubaida.
BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan told The Daily Observer that security and renovation work have been done at the residence.

"Since Zubaida Rahman will be staying at the house, we are making all necessary arrangements decorating the premises, installing CCTV cameras, and ensuring that all utility services are functioning properly to ensure a comfortable stay for her," Shairul said.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.

BNP shared several videos and photos of their arrival and departure at the airport, where Zubaida appeared visibly happy and enthusiastic as she returned to her homeland after such a long time. She was also seen attentively looking after her mother-in-law at the airport in a cheerful mood.

For the first time, Zubaida Rahman's name and photos were seen in banners and placards alongside those of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as BNP workers and supporters gathered along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and outside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from early morning to welcome Khaleda Zia.

Zubaida became entangled in legal issues during the 1/11 military-backed caretaker government and under the subsequent Awami League administration.

Born in Sylhet on 18 May 1972, Zubaida was admitted to Dhaka Medical College at her parents' insistence after passing her higher secondary examinations with distinction.

She married Tarique Rahman on 3 February 1994.

Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with top merit and began her career as a government doctor after qualifying through the BCS in 1995. She secured first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination.

During her stay in London, Zubaida obtained a postgraduate degree in medicine from Imperial College.

He also served as Minister of Communications and Minister of Agriculture.