Tarique Rahman

Tarique Rahman was born on 20th November 1965. His life is integrated
with the origin, inception and emergence of Bangladesh as an independent
state. He is the eldest son of Shaheed (Martyred) President Ziaur Rahman,
the decorated hero of the liberation war of Bangladesh, who proclaimed the
country’s independence, formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and
established the multiparty parliamentary democracy in the country. Tarique’s
mother Begum Khaleda Zia, the current Chairperson of the BNP, was elected
as the Prime Minister for record three times. Tarique has a younger brother
named Arafat Rahman. Tarique is married to Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter
of Late Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, who was the Chief of Staff of the
Bangladesh Navy and also served as the Minister of Telecommunications and
Minister of Agriculture in subsequent governments. Zubaida Rahman is a
qualified cardiologist by training and studied at Dhaka Medical College, the
premier medical college of Bangladesh. Tarique and Zubaida were married on
3rd February 1994, and they have a daughter named Zaima Zarnaz Rahman.
When Tarique Rahman grew up to go to school, he was admitted to
a school in Dhaka popularly known as Shaheen High School and College,
primarily meant for the children of the Army personnel. Having passed the
Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
examinations with commanding results, Tarique entered the University of
Dhaka as a student of International Relations, a subject of his choice. While
in the University, he read political thoughts of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,
Hobbes, Locke, Roussou, Voltaire, Karl Marx and other exceptional thinkers.
He concentrated more on socio-economic and political subjects, including the
in-depth study of the gradual development of democracy and the dynamics
of economic liberalisation. Tarique graduated in a volatile situation at the
height of the nationwide movement against the autocratic regime of Hussain
Muhammad Ershad, which his mother Begum Khaleda Zia was leading.
Upon completion of studies, Tarique became a successful entrepreneur
and established several businesses, particularly in the textile and agro-based
industries.