Dhaka, Dec. 25 -- Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has welcomed BNP leader Tarique Rahman following his return to the country after almost 18 years in exile.

In a Facebook post shortly after 1:30pm on Thursday, he extended his greetings to Tarique and his family, writing: "Welcome to you and your family."

Tarique arrived on Bangladeshi soil at noon, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and the couple's only daughter Zaima Rahman. The family travelled from London via Sylhet on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-202.

About an hour and a half later, Shafiqur posted on Facebook to extend his welcome.

Shafiqur, who heads a party that was once a key ally of the BNP in both electoral alliances and government, previously met ...