Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal left for Dhaka on Monday to attend the taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly-elected Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman.
Representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iqbal will participate in the formal taking ceremony and hold important meetings with senior officials in Bangladesh. The visit aims to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Ahsan Iqbal said that closer ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh could open new opportunities in politics, trade, and finance. He expressed hope for continued progress in bilateral relations.
The Bangladesh government had officially invited PM Shehbaz Sharif to the event. However, due to the Prime Minister’s foreign commitments, Ahsan Iqbal will represent Pakistan at the taking ceremony.
The oath-taking follows the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decisive victory in recent elections. The party secured two-thirds of parliamentary seats, winning at least 212 out of 299. Opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies, won 70 seats.
This marks BNP’s return to power after 20 years, promising stability for a nation previously disrupted by anti-Hasina protests. These protests affected daily life and major industries, including Bangladesh’s globally recognized garment sector.
Despite the overwhelming victory, the BNP urged citizens to offer prayers instead of public celebrations. Party leaders emphasized humility and national unity in their message.
The taking ceremony is expected to highlight formal handover procedures and reinforce diplomatic ties. Officials say Pakistan’s representation underlines the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in politics and economics.
Ahsan Iqbal’s visit is also anticipated to pave the way for future agreements and collaborations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, reflecting both nations’ commitment to a stable and productive relationship.
In other news read more about: Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as Pakistan’s Prime Minister
