Tarique to receive Bangladeshi passport soon, Zubaida already issued one: Officials

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has completed the formalities to obtain his Bangladeshi passport in preparation for upcoming foreign trips, while his wife Zubaida Rahman has already been issued hers.

Passport officials on 13 March visited the prime minister’s residence in Gulshan where they completed necessary procedures, officials and sources familiar with the matter told The Business Standard.

Confirming the development, Brig Gen Mohammad Nurus Salam, project director of the e-Passport and Automated Border Control Management Project, said the prime minister will soon receive his passport.

TBS also reached out to the press secretary, Shibli Shadique, however he hasn’t responded to the queries immediately.

The move comes as the government prepares to re-engage in diplomatic outreach with several countries, although officials say no immediate foreign trip has yet been finalised. Officials said the passport process has been completed to avoid administrative hurdles once foreign trips are finalised.

BNP Chairman and PM Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka in December 2025 after spending around 17 years of exile in London.

He returned to the country using a travel pass issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in London as he did not have a Bangladeshi passport at the time.

Although there was an opportunity to renew the passport after the uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, Tarique did not apply for renewal before returning home.

Sources said during his years in London, Tarique had submitted his passport while seeking asylum, and the document was later handed over to Bangladesh. Now, after assuming office as prime minister, he has applied for a fresh Bangladeshi passport as part of preparations for official overseas visits.

Zubaida also left Bangladesh with her husband in 2008, and had been using a UK passport.

Possible foreign trips

Sources within the BNP and two state ministers said since assuming office, Tarique has received invitations from several countries, including China, India and Pakistan, for official visits. However, no immediate foreign tour has been announced.

Party sources said the prime minister is approaching the matter cautiously to avoid unnecessary diplomatic controversy and to maintain balanced relations with major international partners. “The first foreign visit of a prime minister often sends an important signal in foreign policy,” a senior leader said.

Two ministers and a state minister said the government is currently monitoring developments in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran, before scheduling any foreign visits. 

“If the situation stabilises, the Middle East could become the first priority for Tarique’s foreign visit,” one minister said.