Tarique Rahman Named Among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People

In the “Leaders” category, Bangladesh’s BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been included in the prestigious list.

In its profile, Time Magazine notes that only a few months ago, Tarique Rahman had been living in exile in southwest London. However, following the fall of what it described as the authoritarian government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, he transitioned from an opposition figure into a potential national leader. After 17 years away from his homeland, he reportedly achieved a landslide victory in February, marking his political return.

The report also states that his victory echoes the legacy of his mother, Khaleda Zia, who was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and passed away five days after Rahman’s return to Dhaka.

According to Time, in an interview given in January, Rahman said he intends to channel his personal grief into fostering national unity and revitalizing the country’s economy.

The magazine highlights several pressing challenges facing the nation, including high inflation, youth unemployment, and strained relations with regional power India. It also notes that past corruption allegations against Rahman—though dismissed in court—may shorten his political “honeymoon period,” meaning he could face scrutiny sooner than expected.

Despite this, after years in political exile, Rahman indicated he is eager to act swiftly. “We must work together and unite so that people can exercise their political rights,” he told Time.