Tarique Rahman, the ‘Dark Prince’ and the Shadow PMO That Ran Bangladesh

Political Power, Parallel Office and Controversy Before His Return

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has long been one of the most controversial figures in Bangladesh’s modern political history. Known to critics as the “dark prince,” Rahman is accused of wielding real power from behind the scenes and operating a parallel power base that critics say ran the country during a period of BNP rule.

Rahman returned to Bangladesh in late December 2025 after 17 years in self-imposed exile, amid political unrest and weeks before a key general election.

The Dark Prince: Power Behind the Throne

Rahman, now in his early 60s, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. His critics say he wasn’t just a party leader — he was a dominant force in the country’s governance during 2001–2006 when the BNP led a coalition government.

During that period, Rahman was widely believed to be the de facto decision-maker, operating an office at Hawa Bhaban, a building in Dhaka described by insiders as a parallel power centre or a “shadow PMO.” Diplomatic, intelligence and political sources later said Hawa Bhaban acted as a seat of power outside of official government channels.

Some officials described the building’s layout and atmosphere in unflattering terms, suggesting it was more significant than the official prime minister’s office at Ganabhaban.

Allegations of Violence and Smuggling

After the fall of the BNP-led government in 2006, several allegations surfaced connecting Rahman and his close associates to serious incidents, including a 2004 grenade attack on rival leader Sheikh Hasina, which occurred during a party rally. Intelligence and media reports suggested planning had taken place at Hawa Bhaban, though BNP leaders have long denied such claims.

There were also unconfirmed reports linking the power centre to an arms and ammunition network that supplied weapons to insurgent groups in neighboring regions.

Rahman’s detractors have described his political influence as rooted in shadow governance, corruption and coercion, though the BNP rejects all these allegations as politically motivated.

From Arrest to Exile

The political tide turned sharply in 2006–2008, a period of violent unrest and political crisis. A military-backed caretaker government curtailed many political freedoms and pushed for reforms, leading to Rahman’s arrest in 2007 on corruption, extortion and money-laundering charges.

He was held for over a year before being released in 2008 to seek medical treatment in London. What followed was 17 years of self-imposed exile, during which he continued to lead the BNP from abroad even as he faced multiple legal cases in Bangladesh.

In the years that followed, many convictions against him were overturned by Bangladeshi courts, clearing the way for his return.

Return Amid Political Turmoil

Rahman’s arrival in Dhaka in December 2025 came amid significant political upheaval in Bangladesh. A student-led uprising had ousted long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier in the year, and an interim government now prepares for national elections.

His return was greeted by huge crowds and seen as a pivotal moment for the BNP’s election campaign, with many suggesting he could be a leading contender for the country’s top political post.