Prime Minister Sharif Congratulates BNP After Election Win

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan extended his heartfelt congratulations to Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), following the party’s historic victory in Bangladesh’s general elections. In a tweet late Friday evening, Sharif spoke with Rahman in a warm and cordial telephone call, expressing Pakistan’s eagerness to further strengthen its brotherly ties with Bangladesh.

Pakistan looks forward to building on the legacy of Begum Khaleda Zia, who was instrumental in fostering strong relations between the two countries. The victory by the BNP, now poised to return to power after nearly two decades, marks a significant milestone in Bangladeshi politics. Rahman, son of former Prime Minister and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman, leads a party that won a commanding majority with at least 212 seats out of 299, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami secured 77.

The election results reflect high voter turnout, indicating widespread public engagement. This victory places Rahman on the brink of becoming prime minister, as his party’s success demonstrates a robust coalition’s strength. In his manifesto, Rahman has pledged to focus on job creation, protecting low-income households, and ensuring fair prices for farmers.

As international leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Ambassador to Bangladesh congratulated Rahman on his victory, Sharif’s call underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural links between Pakistan and Bangladesh. These strong ties have been sustained by political families in both nations working towards shared goals of peace, progress, and prosperity.