Ahsan Iqbal departs for Dhaka to attend new PM's oath-taking

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will represent Pakistan at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s foreign visit.

Dhaka is preparing for a landmark political transition on February 17 as Bangladesh’s newly elected leadership takes the oath of office in a ceremony that signals both continuity and change in the country’s democratic journey.

The Government of Bangladesh formally invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Prime Minister.

Owing to scheduling constraints arising from his foreign engagements, Shehbaz Sharif designated Ahsan Iqbal to represent Islamabad at the high-profile event. The planning minister has already departed for Dhaka and is expected to engage with senior Bangladeshi officials during his stay.

In a statement before his departure, Ahsan Iqbal expressed confidence that the visit would reinforce friendly ties between the two South Asian nations.

He said the ceremony provided an opportunity to deepen cooperation and explore new avenues of collaboration in political, economic and development sectors. He also voiced optimism that bilateral engagement would help both countries advance shared goals of stability and prosperity.

The oath-taking ceremony comes in the wake of a decisive electoral outcome. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured more than a two-thirds majority in the 13th national parliamentary elections, enabling it to formally initiate the formation of a new government.

In a departure from tradition, the ceremony will be held at the South Plaza of the National Assembly complex in Dhaka rather than the customary venue at Bangabhaban, the official presidential residence.

The day’s proceedings will unfold in two stages. In the morning, newly elected members of parliament will take their oath under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner Mohammad Nasir Uddin.

Later in the evening, President Mohammad Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the incoming cabinet members, formally ushering in the new executive leadership.