London, Dec 17 (V7N) — BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that he will return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending his long stay abroad. He made the announcement while speaking at a discussion meeting organized by the UK BNP in London on Tuesday.

During his speech, Tarique Rahman requested party leaders and activists living in the UK not to gather at the London airport to see him off on the day of his departure.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I have been with you for 18 long years,” he said. “During this time, I have met many of you on different occasions and shared both sorrow and hardship. I have a special request, particularly to the young generation. God willing, I will be leaving for the country on the 25th. On that day, I ask you not to come to the airport. If there is a commotion, people will understand that those gathered are Bangladeshis, and it may harm the country’s image.”

He added that those who refrain from going to the airport would demonstrate respect for the party and, above all, for the honor of the country.

At the conclusion of his speech, the BNP Acting Chairman urged everyone to pray for him and for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

END/SMA/AJ