.svg)
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent travel update for Bangladesh, warning of significant logistical challenges and potential unrest as Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), prepares to return to Dhaka. Scheduled for December 25, 2025, the homecoming of the political heavyweight after 17 years in self-imposed exile is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of supporters to the streets, effectively paralyzing the capital's main arterial routes.
British officials and local authorities are bracing for an unprecedented surge in traffic particularly along the corridors connecting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the Gulshan residential area. With the BNP coordinating a massive reception for their leader, the Purbachal Expressway and the Airport Road are predicted to become nearly impassable. Major airlines, including Saudia, have already advised passengers departing on Christmas Day to arrive at the airport at least six hours before their scheduled flights to avoid missing departures due to the anticipated gridlock.
Read Also: Election Sabotage? Dhaka Arson Attacks Loom Over Tarique Rahman’s Return
The security landscape remains a primary concern for international observers. The FCDO has advised all foreign nationals and travelers to steer clear of crowds, political demonstrations, and any large gatherings. While the interim government has cleared many of the legal hurdles previously preventing Rahman’s return, the sheer scale of the mobilization carries a risk of spontaneous incidents. Travelers are being urged to carry valid identification and travel documents at all times, as security checkpoints are expected to be intensified across Dhaka.
Read Also: Flight BG 202: Inside the High-Stakes Return of Tarique Rahman and Family
Beyond the immediate travel headache, the return of Tarique Rahman marks a seismic shift in Bangladesh's political trajectory. Following the fall of the previous administration and the subsequent acquittal of Rahman in several high-profile cases, his arrival is seen by many as the unofficial start of the campaign season for the general elections slated for February 2026. For now, however, the focus remains on the logistical nightmare facing commuters. Local authorities recommend that anyone without an essential reason to be in the northern part of the city on Thursday should remain at home or find alternative routes well away from the airport and Gulshan areas.
