Ahsan Iqbal to represent Pakistan at Bangladesh Prime Minister’s inauguration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be represented by Federal Minister for Development and Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected prime minister in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is unable to attend the event due to his ongoing two-day official visit to Austria, prompting Pakistan to send Ahsan Iqbal as its official delegate.

An invitation was formally extended to Islamabad for the high-profile ceremony, and in light of his foreign commitments, the prime minister has delegated the responsibility to Iqbal.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal has also reportedly departed for Dhaka on Monday morning.

BANGLADESH’S POLITICAL SHIFT

Bangladesh’s opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), claimed a decisive victory in Friday’s parliamentary elections, returning to power after nearly two decades. Party leader Tarique Rahman is set to become prime minister, marking a major political transition for the country. The official results from the Election Commission show the BNP and its allies winning 212 of the 299 seats, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its coalition secured 77 seats, with results from two constituencies still pending.

Rahman, 60, the son of former premier Khaleda Zia and assassinated former president Ziaur Rahman, takes office in a nation grappling with the aftermath of months of political instability and economic disruption following the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has managed the country since then, while emerging parties like the National Citizen Party, formed by youth activists, struggled to convert protest momentum into electoral gains, winning only six of the 30 seats they contested.

DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS IN DHAKA

During his visit, Ahsan Iqbal is scheduled not only to attend the inauguration but also to hold bilateral meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic ties, exploring new avenues of collaboration, and enhancing political and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking before his departure, Iqbal reiterated the significance of nurturing friendly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. He stated that a reinforced partnership could open new avenues for mutual development and prosperity.

“Pakistan remains committed to deepening cooperation with Bangladesh and is optimistic about future collaborative projects,” he remarked.

FOCUS ON POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

The planning minister highlighted the potential for both nations to advance collectively in political and economic arenas. He noted that strategic collaboration could unlock opportunities for sustainable development and shared growth, benefiting citizens on both sides.

Iqbal’s participation is being viewed as a key diplomatic gesture, signaling Pakistan’s desire to maintain goodwill and strengthen ties with Dhaka at a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape.