Pakistan congratulates BNP on victory in Bangladesh

Pakistan's top political leadership on Friday congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing a landslide majority in the parliamentary elections.

BNP claimed victory in the crucial national election held after the 2024 youth-led uprising that resulted in the fall of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League Government. Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement.  According to multiple media reports, EC is expected to declare BNP the winner in the general elections with tallies in predawn hours on Friday, suggesting it got majority seats in parliament.

President Asif Ali Zardari in a statement congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls across 299 seats with the participation of over 127 million registered voters, reported Radio Pakistan.

Reaffirming Islamabad's support for the sovereignty and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh, he said Pakistan “looks forward to working with the new Government to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges and regional forums”. He expressed the hope that the new political environment in Dhaka would contribute to more balanced, independent and mutually respect.