President, PM felicitate Bangladesh’s new premier Rahman, hope for stronger ties

• Pakistan leaders welcome Dhaka’s democratic transition, with President hopes for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, regional peace

• PM Shehbaz vows deeper cooperation and historic ties, saying looking forward to working closely with new Bangladeshi leadership

• Rahman sworn in after Gen Z-led upheaval ends Hasina era as BNP returns to power with two-thirds majority after two decades

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended warm felicitations to Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on his election as Bangladesh’s prime minister and his party’s “decisive victory” in the general elections, expressing hope for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties and regional peace, according to state media.

Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday following his party’s sweeping parliamentary victory.

Rahman, 60, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated president Ziaur Rahman, assumes office amid pressing challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after the prolonged turmoil that followed the Gen Z-led uprising which toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Bangladesh was governed during the transition by an interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which oversaw the country until the elections.

In a post on social media platform X, the President’s Secretariat said President Zardari appreciated the interim government’s role in ensuring “a peaceful and fair election” and conveyed his “best wishes for stability and prosperity”.

President Zardari congratulates @trahmanbnp on BNP’s decisive victory & becoming PM of 🇧🇩. He appreciates the interim govt’s role in a peaceful, fair election, conveys best wishes for stability & prosperity & hopes for stronger 🇵🇰-🇧🇩 ties & regional peace. pic.twitter.com/gaMlJrSsgL

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 17, 2026

“The president hopes for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties and regional peace,” the post added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended warm felicitations to Rahman, saying he looked forward to working closely with the new Bangladeshi leadership.

Warmest felicitations to @trahmanbnp on having been sworn in as the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. I look forward to close and meaningful engagements with my brother, to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial areas and to…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 17, 2026

“I look forward to close and meaningful engagements with my brother to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial areas and to deepen the historic ties between our two countries,” the prime minister said.

Separately, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, conveyed best wishes and prayers for Rahman in steering the country “towards new heights of progress and development”.

Our best wishes and prayers for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s success in steering the country towards new heights of progress and development. It was an honour to witness and be part of this historic moment in history of Bangladesh on behalf of PM Shehbaz Sharif and people of… https://t.co/CJGT4HnqN5

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) February 17, 2026

“It was an honour to witness and be part of this historic moment in the history of Bangladesh on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Earlier, the minister met Professor Muhammad Yunus, who had served as the country’s interim leader.

“I warmly congratulated Professor Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of elections and the historic democratic transition. I conveyed Pakistan’s sincere good wishes for continued stability, progress and prosperity for Bangladesh under its new leadership,” Iqbal said.

He said discussions focused on “opening a new, forward-looking chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations”.

“I expressed appreciation for the positive momentum in bilateral ties, including growing trade engagement, revival of direct air connectivity, and renewed people-to-people contacts. We agreed that the current regional and geopolitical environment demands greater economic cooperation, connectivity and collaboration between our two countries,” he added.

Iqbal also acknowledged Yunus’s global contributions to social entrepreneurship and inclusive development and extended an invitation for him to visit Pakistan.

“I invited him to visit Pakistan so that we may further institutionalise cooperation in areas of shared interest, particularly youth empowerment, innovation and sustainable development,” he said.

I am visiting Dhaka to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Mr. Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister-Elect of Bangladesh. During my visit, I had the honour of calling on the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus. I warmly congratulated Professor Yunus and the people of… pic.twitter.com/5XxbqVSFlC

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) February 17, 2026

“Pakistan and Bangladesh share deep cultural, historical and social affinities. It is time to transform these affinities into structured economic partnerships, academic exchanges and regional cooperation. Our future lies in building connectivity, expanding trade, empowering youth, and shaping a stable and prosperous South Asia together,” he added.

Breaking with tradition, the swearing-in ceremony was held under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, instead of the Bangabhaban, the president’s official residence where such events are usually held.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Rahman and his cabinet in the presence of senior political leaders, diplomats, civil and military officials, and representatives from invited countries, including China, India and Pakistan.

Rahman’s BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority, returning to power after nearly two decades. The Jamaat-i-Islami, contesting its first election since a 2013 ban was lifted following Hasina’s ouster, won a record 68 seats.

Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting after its registration was revoked by the Election Commission.

Jamaat and its allies, including the National Citizen Party, led by youth activists who played a prominent role in the movement that toppled Hasina, will form the opposition.