Dr Nargis Banu –Political Analyst, Broadcaster, Columnist and Scientist
Bangladesh, January 2026 – In a move drawing widespread attention, Mr Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of Late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has legally recognised Fatema Begum, the family’s long-serving domestic aide, as his sister. This decision marks a profound personal and symbolic gesture within one of Bangladesh’s most influential political families.
Tarique Rahman (also known as Tarique Zia) entered politics at a young age and rose rapidly through the ranks of the BNP. He first assumed senior organisational roles during his mother’s tenure as prime minister in the early 2000s, serving in positions such as Senior Joint Secretary-General (2002) and Senior Vice-Chairman (2009). In February 2018, during Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment, he became Acting Chairman of the BNP, a role he continues to hold.
Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 after a tumultuous period under the military-backed caretaker regime. On 7 March 2007, joint forces arrested him from his Dhaka Cantonment residence. He was taken blindfolded to a secret location—widely reported as the notorious “Aynaghar” where he endured brutal torture. According to survivors and media investigations, he was suspended from the ceiling fan and beaten repeatedly over nearly a month. This horrific treatment fractured his spinal cord and left him with lasting injuries. 
After spending approximately 18 months in custody and being implicated in numerous politically charged cases, Tarique secured bail in September 2008. On 11 September 2008, he departed Bangladesh under the caretaker government’s permission, ostensibly for medical treatment, and settled in London. There he remained in self-imposed exile for 17 years, continuing to lead the BNP remotely and assuming the role of Acting Chairman in 2018. After the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, his convictions were overturned, and he returned to Bangladesh on 25 December 2025. At 60, Mr Rahman is today regarded as the de facto leader of the BNP, strategically preparing the party’s campaign for the February 2026 general elections.
Fatema Begum served the Zia family for nearly two decades, standing by Khaleda Zia through her imprisonment, health crises, and political struggles.
Fatema’s loyalty earned her a place of trust within the family. After years of her loyal service to Tarique’s mother, Khaleda Zia who passed away on 30 December 2025, and Fatema’s unwavering support during difficult times – Tarique legally adopted Fatema as his sister. This means he formally recognised her as part of his family, elevating her status from a domestic aide to an official family member
Mr Rahman expressed that Fatema had been “like a shadow” to his mother for 18 years and even said,
“My housemaid’s daughter Fatema was like a shadow to my family during difficult times. When I was staying in London with my family, my mother was alone at home; only my maid, Fatema Begum, was there. Even in 2018, when my mother was imprisoned… Fatema, thinking there was no one to serve her mother, applied to the court, saying, ‘Sir, I want to go to jail voluntarily with Madam Zia to serve her.’”
“My mother is not here now, because Fatema has been my mother’s shadow companion for these 18 years. I can find the smell of my mother from Fatema’s body.”
These statements reveal the emotional depth behind his decision to grant her legal sibling status. The legal recognition of Fatema as Tarique’s sister formalises the deep, familial bond forged through years of devoted service and presence. It affirms Mr Rahman’s recognition of loyalty and compassion, particularly amid hardship’; and challenges conventional kinship norms in political families, highlighting bonds forged through trust and commitment.