ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to undertake an official visit to Pakistan following his party’s victory in general elections in Bangladesh.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he spoke with Rahman by telephone and conveyed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations, build on the legacy of Khaleda Zia, and advance shared goals of peace, progress and prosperity.
The BNP secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the elections, a result expected to bring political stability after months of unrest following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. State media reported that the prime minister described the successful conduct of the polls as a reflection of the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
Recalling historic ties between the two countries, Sharif pledged to work closely with Dhaka to deepen cooperation in mutually beneficial sectors while respecting each other’s sovereignty. Both leaders also acknowledged the role of Begum Khaleda Zia in strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and fostering people-to-people contacts.
The prime minister invited Rahman to visit Pakistan at an early date, while the BNP leader extended a reciprocal invitation for Sharif to visit Bangladesh. The two agreed to remain in close contact to promote the welfare of their peoples.
According to unofficial results reported by local television channels, the BNP and its allies secured at least 212 of the 299 seats in parliament, while Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners won around 70 seats.
Rahman, widely expected to assume office as prime minister, returned to Dhaka in December after nearly 18 years abroad. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus had been serving as interim head of government after Hasina left the country amid protests.