ISLAMABAD(National Times)- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the general elections and extended their felicitations to the BNP alliance and the anticipated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for securing a two-thirds majority. President Zardari specifically praised Tarique Rahman on the Bangladesh National Party’s remarkable electoral success and also conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the people of Bangladesh for holding peaceful and successful elections. According to a statement issued from the President’s office, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to democratic partnership and mutual development and pledged to continue strong cooperation with Bangladesh. In his message, President Zardari said that the elections in Bangladesh represent an opportunity for South Asia to move beyond previous phases. He congratulated the BNP on securing a decisive mandate in the national elections and forming the next government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Tarique Rahman on his success in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and also congratulated the Bangladeshi people for conducting a smooth and successful electoral process. He added that Pakistan looks forward to close cooperation with Bangladesh’s new leadership to further strengthen the historic, fraternal, and multidimensional bilateral ties and to advance shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.

Well-wishes from Ishaq Dar

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also congratulated Tarique Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia, on securing leadership in the Bangladeshi elections. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote that he is confident that under Tarique Rahman’s capable leadership, Bangladesh will continue its journey toward peace, development, and prosperity. He further stated that Pakistan remains committed to promoting bilateral cooperation on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect and congratulated the Bangladeshi people on a successful democratic transfer of power.eports indicate that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a large majority and announced the formation of the government two days ago. According to unofficial results so far, the BNP alliance has won 212 out of 300 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance secured 70 seats. Meanwhile, the National Citizens Party won only five seats. Vote counting is still ongoing, with turnout exceeding 60 percent, and 67 percent of voters supported constitutional amendments in the referendum addressing Sheikh Hasina’s proposals. On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance has accepted defeat in the elections and emphasized moving forward positively.