Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will attend the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on February 17, the Foreign Office said Monday. He will represent Pakistan at the ceremony following Rahman’s landslide electoral victory. The move signals Islamabad’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic process and efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could not attend due to a prior overseas engagement. It said Pakistan’s participation underscores its commitment to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Bangladesh. Officials described the visit as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Read more: Bangladesh invites Shehbaz, Modi to Tarique Rahman oath ceremony
Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, secured a two-thirds majority in last week’s general elections. The polls marked the first national vote since a 2024 uprising that ousted former premier Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh’s Election Commission said the BNP-led alliance won 212 seats, compared to 77 secured by a Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc.
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Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, will attend the Oath-Taking Ceremony of the newly elected Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 16, 2026
Rahman is the son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain. His victory marks a significant political shift in Dhaka following years of turbulent governance.
Read more: Bangladesh’s BNP wins sweeping election majority, promises stability
Following the results, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz extended congratulations to Rahman. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic aspirations. Shehbaz expressed hope for closer cooperation and stronger historic ties between the two nations.