Tarique Rahman: Early Life, Education, and Career

Tarique Rahman was born on 20 November 1965. He is a Bangladeshi politician and the eldest son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. His younger brother was Arafat Rahman.

Tarique Rahman is married to Dr. Zubaida Rahman, a cardiologist and graduate of Dhaka Medical College. She is the daughter of the late Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, who served as Chief of Naval Staff of the Bangladesh Navy and later held ministerial positions, including Minister of Telecommunications and Minister of Agriculture. Tarique Rahman and Dr. Zubaida Rahman were married on 3 February 1994 and have one daughter, Zaima Zarnaz Rahman.

Education

Tarique Rahman attended Shaheen High School and College in Dhaka, a school originally established primarily for the children of armed forces personnel. After successfully completing his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, he enrolled in the University of Dhaka, where he studied International Relations.

During his university years, he explored the works of influential political philosophers and thinkers, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and Karl Marx. His academic interests focused on political theory, socio-economic development, democracy, and economic liberalization.

He completed his studies during a period of significant political unrest, when Bangladesh witnessed a nationwide movement against the military rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, in which his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, played a leading political role.

Business Career

Following his graduation, Tarique Rahman entered the private sector as an entrepreneur. He established and managed several business ventures, with a particular focus on the textile and agro-based industries, before becoming actively involved in full-time politics.