Planning minister-led Pakistan delegation to attend Bangladesh PM oath-taking

Pakistan will be represented by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal at the swearing-in of Bangladesh’s newly elected government on Tuesday in Dhaka, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 17. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not attend because of a prior overseas engagement, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Islamabad said its participation reflects support for Bangladesh’s democratic process and a commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.

Bangladesh had invited senior diplomats from South Asian countries to the ceremony following last week’s general elections. Newly elected lawmakers and cabinet members will be sworn in Tuesday, marking the first new parliament since the 2024 uprising that ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is set to administer the oath to lawmakers, while the president will swear in the new cabinet. The ceremony will be held in front of the parliament building.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a two-thirds majority, winning 209 seats in the 300-seat parliament, and will form the government. Party leader Tarique Rahman is set to become prime minister.

In Thursday’s vote, the BNP won 49.97% of ballots, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance received 31.76%, according to the Election Commission.

Rahman, 60, will lead the South Asian nation of about 170 million people after sweeping elections, officials said. He will take over from an interim administration that governed since the student-led uprising ended Hasina’s rule in August 2024.

The BNP alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-led alliance, the commission said.

Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating. Hasina, 78, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India calling the election “illegal and unconstitutional.”

Outgoing interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said Rahman would help guide the country toward stability and development.

The U.S. Embassy congratulated Rahman and the BNP on what it called a historic victory, while India praised his decisive win. China and Pakistan also congratulated the BNP, officials said.

International observers said the polls were successful. The European Union said the elections were credible.

The Election Commission reported voter turnout of 59% across 299 of 300 constituencies. Seven women were elected, with an additional 50 seats reserved for women to be filled from party lists.

Voters also approved proposals in a referendum for broad democratic reforms, including term limits for the prime minister, creation of an upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.