Key Points
- Pakistan praises Bangladesh for successful elections
- Leaders exchange invitations for official visits
- Tribute paid to former premier Khaleda Zia
- Daily Observer also reports on diplomatic outreach
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Tarique Rahman to congratulate him on his party’s “historic and resounding victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary election, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The premier conveyed heartfelt felicitations on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Sharif also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the general elections, saying the process reflected the nation’s democratic ideals and values.
Recalling historic and brotherly relations between the two countries, the prime minister reaffirmed his resolve to work closely with Bangladesh’s leadership to further strengthen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation across all areas of shared interest, as well as to promote regional peace and progress with full respect for each other’s sovereignty.
During the cordial conversation, both leaders mentioned former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and paid tribute to her notable contributions to Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and her role in bringing the peoples of the two nations closer.
Invitation for Pakistan visit
Sharif invited Rahman to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience, and the BNP chief reciprocated with an invitation to visit Bangladesh. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days to advance the welfare of their peoples.
Bangladesh’s The Daily Observer also reported the telephone conversation, noting that the outreach signals a positive step toward enhancing bilateral engagement following the election outcome.
Earlier, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari extended his felicitations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing what he described as a landslide majority in the national elections and receiving the mandate to form the next government.
He congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls across 299 seats with the participation of more than 127 million registered voters.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh, Zardari said Pakistan looks forward to working with the new government to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges, and regional forums.
BNP secured 209 seats
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been officially declared the winner of the country’s general elections, marking the first national vote since the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission, told reporters in Dhaka on Friday that the BNP secured 209 seats, surpassing the two-thirds majority threshold in the 300-seat parliament, while the party and its allies won a combined total of 212 seats.
The BNP said it would form a new government by Sunday, after winning elections.
“The government will be formed by Feb. 15. The BNP will go to parliament with all parties,” the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters on Friday while visiting his constituency in the north-western Thakurgaon district.
