Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been included in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2026, marking a significant moment of global recognition for Bangladesh’s current leadership.
In its profile, TIME highlighted PM Tarique’s dramatic political rise — from years in exile in London to becoming the country’s prime minister following the political upheaval of 2024, which saw the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The magazine noted that the 57-year-old leader transitioned from an opposition figure to a “leader in waiting,” eventually returning to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad and securing a landslide electoral victory in February.
Recounting his journey, TIME described how Tarique Rahman had been living in exile in southwest London until the political shift in 2024 reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The change propelled him from the margins of politics to the centre of power, culminating in his return to Dhaka and subsequent electoral victory.
The profile also noted the personal dimension of his rise.
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh shortly before the death of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, whose political legacy he has now inherited.
Despite the loss, he told TIME he is determined to channel his grief into rebuilding and unifying the nation.
TIME underscored the scale of challenges facing the prime minister’s administration, including high inflation, rising youth unemployment and strained relations with regional power India.
It described Bangladesh as a country at a critical juncture, where swift policy action will be necessary to stabilise the economy and restore confidence.
The magazine also pointed to past corruption allegations against Tarique Rahman — though later cleared by courts — as a factor that could limit any initial political goodwill.
In remarks to TIME, Tarique Rahman emphasised the need for national unity and restoration of democratic rights.
“We need to work together, unite, so that people can have their political rights,” he said.
The inclusion in TIME’s influential list places Tarique Rahman among global leaders, policymakers and public figures shaping the current international landscape.
