Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Friday said the government is working to launch the &ldquo;Family Card&rdquo; scheme ahead of Eid-ul-fitr as part of its 180-day priority action plan, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency. The minister made these remarks while exchanging greetings with people at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-vows-to-reform-policies-attract-foreign-investment-in-jute-sector" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lalmonirhat Sadar</a>. &nbsp; Dulu stated that the government was committed to fulfilling its election manifesto, explaining that a 180-day&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshi-pm-vows-to-establish-rule-of-law-equal-rights" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">&ldquo;special package&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;had been adopted and four cabinet meetings have already reviewed its implementation progress. For &lsquo;genuine ultra-poor&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We want to introduce the &lsquo;Family Card&rsquo; before Eid on a priority basis.&nbsp;The process of identifying the genuine ultra-poor is underway and eligible families will be brought under the program in phases,&rdquo; he said, adding that the scheme will initially be launched as a pilot project in eight upazilas. Dulu also outlined government initiatives to dredge canals and protect the environment during the dry season, aiming to improve inland waterways and irrigation systems. Keeping prices stable&nbsp;He said canal identification was currently under way, and the Ministry of Water Resources, LGED, and the disaster management and relief ministry would work together to ensure its success. The minister said steps have also been taken to keep prices stable, maintain law and order, ensure uninterrupted power supply during iftar and sehri, and facilitate smooth Eid travel.

Bangladesh

Minister Asadul Habib Dulu states the Bangladeshi government is committed to fulfilling its election manifesto, explaining that a 180-day ‘special package’ has been adopted and four cabinet meetings have already reviewed its implementation progress.

Govt aims to launch ‘Family Card’ scheme before Eid: Bangladeshi relief minister 

ISLAMABAD: Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday pledged to uphold the rule of law and guarantee equal rights for all citizens. He outlined his government&rsquo;s priorities in his first televised address to the nation after taking office, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). In the address, the premier said, &ldquo;Not party or political influence or force, but the rule of law will be the final word in governing the state.&rdquo; Rahman said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-minister-terms-meeting-with-bangladesh-opposition-leader-very-cordial-meaningful" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">government</a>&nbsp;believes that although party, opinion, religion and philosophy may differ, the state belongs to all.&nbsp;&nbsp;Equal rights&nbsp;He said every citizen, regardless of whether they voted for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-minister-signals-pm-visit-intent-as-bangladeshs-new-government-takes-office" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">BNP</a>, has equal rights in the country. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/planning-minister-to-represent-pakistan-at-bangladesh-oathtaking-ceremony" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">prime minister</a>&nbsp;said the government&rsquo;s goal is to build a self-reliant, secure, humane and democratic Bangladesh, where Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, irrespective of party affiliation, opinion, religion or ethnicity, can live safely in both hills and plains. He said all constitutional, governmental and non-governmental institutions will operate according to established laws and regulations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Law and order&nbsp;Improving law and order and strictly controlling corruption to restore peace and security are the government&rsquo;s top priorities, he added, noting that gambling and drugs have contributed to the deterioration of law and order. Rahman said law enforcement agencies are taking strict measures to control gambling and drugs, and the government is working to ensure peace in public life.&nbsp; He also pledged to dismantle syndicates of wrongdoing and irregularities in every sector.&nbsp;Economic challenges&nbsp;Addressing economic and social challenges, he highlighted the need to transform the large population into a skilled workforce, particularly as the world enters the era of artificial intelligence.&nbsp; He assured students and youth of full government support for intellectual and scientific development and reiterated commitments to employment and a supportive work environment. The premier also called for austerity, responsible governance, and public cooperation as his government begins implementing its commitments.

Improving law and order and strictly controlling corruption to restore peace and security are the government’s top priorities, Tarique Rahman said, noting that gambling and drugs have contributed to the deterioration of law and order.

Bangladeshi PM vows to establish rule of law, equal rights

Web Desk/AFP

DHAKA: Bangladesh&#39;s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has named a former commerce minister to steer the country&#39;s troubled economy and kept the defense portfolio for himself as he formed his first cabinet. Rahman was sworn into office on Tuesday after a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since a deadly 2024 uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina, AFP reported. The <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tarique-rahman-takes-oath-as-bangladeshs-11th-prime-minister" style="color:#0073e6;">cabinet </a>announced in a gazette notification issued late Tuesday includes Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, 76, a businessman and veteran <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-pmelect-tarique-rahman-lawmakers-sworn-into-parliament" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">lawmaker </a>who has now returned to the finance ministry. Chowdhury is tasked with reviving growth after months of turmoil that rattled investor confidence in the world&#39;s second-largest garment exporter. He had previously served in the cabinet of Rahman&#39;s late mother, three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia, but was forced to resign in 2004. He was also arrested several times during <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-incoming-government-signals-regional-reset-pushes-saarc-revival" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sheikh Hasina&#39;s</a> 15-year rule, as her government regularly targeted opposition leaders in cases often decried as politically motivated. Rahman, 60, has appointed himself defense minister, as his government faces a daunting list of challenges including improving security and healing rifts in a country polarized by years of bitter rivalry. Khalilur Rahman is the foreign minister, an experienced diplomat and former UN official who holds degrees from universities in Dhaka and the United States. Khalilur Rahman held the security portfolio in the caretaker government and helped mediate trade talks with the United States. Prime Minister Rahman is expected to chair his first cabinet meeting later on Wednesday. Other members of the cabinet include veteran politicians, former ministers and lawmakers, as well as academics and several party workers, AFP reported. The ministers&nbsp;The cabinet members include 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.&nbsp; The 25 ministers are: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khoshru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Abu Jafar Md Zahid Hossain, Dr Khalilur Rahman (Technocrat), Abdul Awal Mintoo, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid (Technocrat), Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Asadul Habib Dulu, Md Asaduzzaman, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain, Fakir Mahbub Anam, and Sheikh Rabiul Alam. The state ministers&nbsp;The 24 state ministers are: M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, Md Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Md Aminul Haq (technocrat), Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Md Rajib Ahsan, Md Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, widely known as Zonayed Saki, Ishraque Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Shaikh Faridul Islam, Nurul Haque Nur, Yasser Khan Chowdhury, M Iqbal Hossain, MA Muhith, Ahammad Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.&nbsp;

Rahman was sworn into office on Tuesday after a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim administration that had led the country since a deadly 2024 uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh PM names cabinet after election win

Ayesha Mir

Muhammad Ibrahim

DHAKA: Pakistan signaled important meetings and an intent to deepen political, economic and regional cooperation with Bangladesh as Islamabad&rsquo;s senior leadership attends the oath-taking of Dhaka&rsquo;s incoming government, following a landslide election that reset the country&rsquo;s power balance and endorsed sweeping constitutional reforms.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital in Dhaka on Tuesday, Pakistan Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said he was representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at what he described as a &ldquo;historic democratic transition&rdquo; in Bangladesh, adding that the Pakistani leader was keen to visit at the earliest opportunity. He also extended an invitation to Tarique Rahman to plan a visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.&nbsp;&ldquo;I am here to represent the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan at a very historic moment when Bangladesh is making a democratic transition and a new government is being sworn in,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would very much like to visit Bangladesh as early as possible.&rdquo;&nbsp;Iqbal said he would meet Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman, and the leader of the opposition, conveying Islamabad&rsquo;s message of partnership and support.&nbsp;&ldquo;We look forward to a new journey between Pakistan and Bangladesh, towards prosperity and stability, not only for our region but for our people,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Bangladesh&rsquo;s new government takes office after the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the first competitive vote since the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s 15-year rule. Final results show the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) securing 209 of 297 declared seats, rising to 212 seats with allies, giving it a commanding parliamentary majority. Voter turnout stood at 59.44%.&nbsp;&lsquo;Twin brothers&rsquo; and a regional resetFraming Pakistan-Bangladesh ties as historically deep and forward-looking, Iqbal described the two countries as &ldquo;twin brothers,&rdquo; citing shared civilizational links, similar demographic profiles and parallel development challenges.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are young countries with very similar economic characteristics,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This gives us a great opportunity to build bridges between our youth and work together to create opportunities.&rdquo;&nbsp;Iqbal said Islamabad sees Dhaka as a key partner in reviving regional cooperation, particularly through South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which he said has long been stalled.&nbsp;&ldquo;South Asia is the least regionally integrated region in the world,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Both Pakistan and Bangladesh can play a very important role in reviving and reactivating SAARC, because regional cooperation is now key to economic progress.&rdquo;&nbsp;Founded in 1985, SAARC brings together eight South Asian countries with the stated aim of promoting regional integration through trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Despite representing nearly a quarter of the world&rsquo;s population, intra-regional trade remains below 6%, with political tensions repeatedly stalling summits and initiatives.&nbsp;Trade, youth and investmentIqbal said economic ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh remain far below potential, with bilateral trade still under $1 billion, and called for an urgent push to expand commerce, investment and connectivity.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is tremendous opportunity to promote trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh,&rdquo; he said, adding that he would meet Bangladeshi business leaders during the visit and engage with students to strengthen youth-to-youth links.&nbsp;He highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s announcement of 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students, calling it the foundation of a &ldquo;Bangladesh-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor.&rdquo;&nbsp;Shared sovereignty, shared challengesOn foreign policy, Iqbal stressed strategic autonomy and equal sovereignty as guiding principles, drawing parallels between Pakistan&rsquo;s and Bangladesh&rsquo;s political trajectories.&nbsp;&ldquo;Every country, no matter how small, has equal sovereignty,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We cannot accept hegemony on the basis of geography or power.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said both countries also share vulnerabilities to climate change, water security challenges and the need to build economic resilience, arguing that cooperation in climate adaptation, technology and skills development should be priorities. &quot;Both countries would like to see that international conventions for water should be respected. Recently, India has weaponized water from a controversial region. Which is not India, it occupied Jammu and Kashmir. And from there, it is weaponizing water. I think Bangladesh also would be closely watching these developments&quot;&nbsp;Cultural bridges and Iqbal AcademyBeyond economics and diplomacy, Iqbal pointed to cultural and intellectual links, proposing the revival of an Iqbal Academy in Bangladesh ahead of the 150th birth anniversary of philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal next year.&nbsp;&ldquo;Iqbal is a common bridge between our people,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He gave South Asian Muslims a sense of identity and hope during colonial rule.&rdquo;&nbsp;With Bangladesh&rsquo;s new government taking office on the back of a strong electoral mandate and a voter-endorsed reform charter, both sides framed the moment as an opportunity to reset ties on pragmatic, forward-looking lines.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are not authors of the bitter past,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;We are custodians of the future. History will judge us by the path we choose now.&rdquo;

Pakistan Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, speaks to Pakistan TV Digital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on February 17, 2026.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Dhaka says the country aims to expand trade, revive regional cooperation, and build stronger youth and cultural links with Bangladesh following its election and formation of the new government.

Pakistan minister signals PM visit intent as Bangladesh's new government takes office

ISLAMABAD: Tarique Rahman is set to become Bangladesh&rsquo;s next prime minister after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party gained an outright majority with 209 seats in the recently-held 13th Jatiya Sangsad (parliamentary) elections. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new prime minister and cabinet members at the South Plaza of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-incoming-government-signals-regional-reset-pushes-saarc-revival" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jatiya Sangsad</a> on Tuesday, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported. &ldquo;The Parliament Secretariat is set to hold the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/planning-minister-to-represent-pakistan-at-bangladesh-oathtaking-ceremony" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">oath-taking ceremony</a> of the new cabinet members at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. Earlier, the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-vote-resets-power-balance-backs-reforms-after-years-of-upheaval" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parliament Members</a> (MPs) will be sworn-in at 10:00 a.m at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex,&rdquo; Secretary of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Kaniz Maula said, according to BSS. Oath-taking ceremonyThe Cabinet Division and the Parliament Secretariat have been making all-out preparations for the oath-taking ceremony since Saturday, she added. Breaking with a long-standing tradition, the swearing-in ceremony for the new government will be held at the South Plaza of the Parliament Complex rather than at Bangabhaban, the presidential residence.&nbsp; The cabinet secretary will conduct the oath-taking ceremony, BSS reported, quoting a Bangabhaban source familiar with the development.&nbsp; According to the rules, following the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected members of parliament, a meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Board will be held to elect its parliamentary leader, BSS reported, quoting a BNP source. Appointment of PM&nbsp;The leader of the house will then meet the president and inform him that the party holds an absolute majority in parliament, officially requesting appointment as the prime minister of Bangladesh. Next, the president will appoint the party leader as prime minister, who will then choose other members of the cabinet.&nbsp; President Shahabuddin, as the head of state, will administer the oath first to the prime minister, followed by the ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers.&nbsp; Gazette publication&nbsp;According to the constitution, elected members are required to take an oath within three days of the gazette publication.&nbsp; On Friday night, the Election Commission published the gazette for 297 out of 299 parliamentary seats in the 13th parliamentary polls.&nbsp; In this election, the BNP secured an absolute majority by winning 209 seats.&nbsp;Their former ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, will be the main opposition party with 68 seats. Other parties and independent candidates have won the remaining seats.&nbsp;

Following the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected people's representatives, a meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Board will be held to elect its parliamentary leader. The leader of the house will meet the president and inform him that the party has an absolute majority in parliament, requesting appointment as prime minister. The president will then appoint the leader as prime minister, who will select the other cabinet members.

Bangladesh's newly-elected representatives to take oath today

DHAKA: Bangladesh&#39;s Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition, which lost its chance to form the country&#39;s next government in this week&#39;s polls, submitted complaints to the Election Commission on Sunday, challenging results in 32 constituencies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-next-pm-signals-regional-reset-unity-and-saarc-revival-in-first-address" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tarique Rahman</a>, the scion of one of the country&#39;s most influential <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-election-commission-publishes-gazette-of-newly-elected-mps" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">political dynasties</a>, celebrated a sweeping victory in the South Asian nation of 170 million after general elections on Thursday. They were the first polls since a 2024 uprising ousted the autocratic government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;Election results&nbsp;The BNP-led alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, according to the Election Commission. Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman conceded on Saturday, saying his party would &quot;serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition&quot;. Newly elected lawmakers are expected to be sworn in on Tuesday, after which Rahman is set to become the country&#39;s next prime minister. But on Sunday, Jamaat officials submitted their complaints. &quot;We have identified 32 constituencies where our candidates were unfairly defeated,&quot; said senior Jamaat official Hamidur Rahman Azad. &quot;The election day began smoothly, but the ending was not what we had expected. Fake votes, the circulation of black money (bribes), threats, assaults, and attacks marred the atmosphere.&quot; Police records show that political clashes during the campaign period left five people dead and more than 600 injured.&nbsp;Without major unrest&nbsp;But despite weeks of turbulence ahead of the polls, voting day passed without major unrest and the country has so far responded to the results with relative calm. At least two people were killed in post-poll clashes, while scattered acts of vandalism and assaults were reported in several districts, police said. Both Jamaat-e-Islami and its ally, the National Citizen Party (NCP) -- formed by student leaders who spearheaded the uprising -- reported attacks on their supporters. NCP loyalists marched through the Dhaka University campus against the BNP on Friday. Police spokesman AHM Shahadat Hossain said police were deployed to maintain order. &quot;Over 150,000 police personnel were trained to tackle pre- and post-election violence,&quot; Hossain told AFP.&nbsp;59% turnout&nbsp;The Election Commission said turnout was 59% across 299 of the 300 constituencies where voting was held. Only seven women were directly elected, although a further 50 seats reserved for women will be allocated to parties according to their share of the vote. Four members of minority communities won seats, including two Hindus -- a population that makes up roughly 7% in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

'We have identified 32 constituencies where our candidates were unfairly defeated,' said senior Jamaat official Hamidur Rahman Azad.

Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition submits poll complaints

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim government has invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, Bangladeshi media reported on Sunday. Citing sources in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the interim administration, The Daily Star reported that the ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 17.&nbsp;According to the newspaper, a foreign ministry official confirmed that invitations have been sent to more than 12 heads of government from South Asian and other Asian countries, including Pakistan and China, but did not provide further details. Tarique Rahman-led BNP secured a landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the first since a 2024 uprising ended 15 years of authoritarian rule. Final results show the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-election-results" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">BNP winning 209 seats outright</a>, rising to 212 with allies.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-jamaateislami-chief-recognizes-overall-outcome-of-election" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami</a>&nbsp;secured 68 seats, rising to 77 with alliance partners, emerging as the largest opposition force. Overall voter turnout stood at 59.44%. International reaction, particularly from Pakistan, framed the outcome as a milestone for democratic continuity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Rahman to congratulate him on what he termed a &ldquo;historic and resounding victory,&rdquo; reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated Rahman and the people of Bangladesh on the successful and peaceful conduct of the polls, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue to engage Bangladesh &ldquo;based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.&rdquo; With a clear mandate at home and reform legitimacy secured at the ballot box, Rahman now faces the task of translating electoral momentum into governance, while redefining Bangladesh&rsquo;s regional posture in a fractured South Asian landscape. &nbsp;

According to a report published in The Daily Star, the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Pakistan premier invited to Bangladesh PM-hopeful Rahman's swearing-in ceremony: Report

DHAKA: Bangladesh&rsquo;s prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman on Saturday called for national unity and a reset in regional engagement, signaling renewed outreach across South Asia after his party&rsquo;s sweeping victory in the country&rsquo;s first competitive election since the 2024 uprising. &ldquo;Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united,&rdquo; Rahman said at his first post-election press conference. &ldquo;National unity is a collective strength. Division is a weakness.&rdquo; Dedicating the victory to pro-democracy activists, Rahman said, &ldquo;This victory belongs to Bangladesh. It belongs to democracy. It belongs to the people who aspired to and sacrificed for democracy.&rdquo; Rahman&rsquo;s Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats, positioning him to form the next government after nearly two decades in political exile. Focus on India, Pakistan and SAARCPressed on relations with India, Rahman said Dhaka would prioritise strategic interests over ideology. &ldquo;We do not have country-centric policies,&rdquo; he told an Indian journalist. &ldquo;Our strategic interests come first. We prefer mutual, bilateral ties based on respect.&rdquo; On regional diplomacy, Rahman said Bangladesh would seek to revive the SAARC, noting Dhaka&rsquo;s historical role in launching the forum. &ldquo;As you know, SAARC was initiated by Bangladesh,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We will try to re-initiate that process.&rdquo; Asked whether Bangladesh could act as a negotiating bridge between India and Pakistan following tensions after the May 2025 crisis, Rahman said regional stability remained a priority but stopped short of committing to formal mediation. On the sensitive question of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s status in India, Rahman said any decision would follow due process. &ldquo;The handing-over issue depends on legalities,&rdquo; he said. Domestic challenges acknowledgedRahman acknowledged the scale of challenges facing the incoming administration. &ldquo;We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by an authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional institutions and a breakdown in law and order,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Restoring democracy is only the first step. Ensuring good governance is the real test.&rdquo; Responding to suggestions that his party&rsquo;s large majority could enable political &ldquo;engineering,&rdquo; Rahman rejected the claim. &ldquo;I think we engineered our campaign so that people would come out and vote,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have been given a mandate by the people.&rdquo; He said the new government would listen closely to young voters while governing inclusively. &ldquo;Naturally we will listen to the youth, but we have other people in the country too, and we will take care of them as well.&rdquo; Election and reform&nbsp;Rahman&rsquo;s remarks came as Bangladesh concluded its 13th National Parliamentary Election, the first since a 2024 uprising ended 15 years of authoritarian rule. Final results show the BNP winning 209 seats outright, rising to 212 with allies. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, rising to 77 with alliance partners, emerging as the largest opposition force. Overall voter turnout stood at 59.44%. Running alongside the election, voters also endorsed the July National Charter in a nationwide referendum. More than 70 million ballots were cast, with nearly 48 million voters, about two-thirds, backing constitutional reforms aimed at limiting executive power, strengthening judicial independence, and restructuring parliament. European Union observers described the elections as credible, calling them &ldquo;a pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance and the rule of law.&rdquo; From the opposition, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman accepted the outcome, pledging to act as a &ldquo;vigilant, principled and peaceful opposition.&rdquo; Pakistan-Bangladesh tiesInternational reaction, particularly from Pakistan, framed the outcome as a milestone for democratic continuity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Rahman to congratulate him on what he termed a &ldquo;historic and resounding victory,&rdquo; reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated Rahman and the people of Bangladesh on the successful and peaceful conduct of the polls, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue to engage Bangladesh &ldquo;on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.&rdquo; With a clear mandate at home and reform legitimacy secured at the ballot box, Rahman now faces the task of translating electoral momentum into governance, while redefining Bangladesh&rsquo;s regional posture in a fractured South Asian landscape.

Tarique Rahman secures a commanding parliamentary majority as EU observers say Bangladesh’s vote is credible, competently managed and a pivotal step toward restoring democratic governance.

Bangladesh’s next PM signals regional reset, unity and SAARC revival in first address

DHAKA: Bangladesh&rsquo;s election has simultaneously reshaped political power and locked in constitutional reform, as voters handed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) a commanding parliamentary mandate while overwhelmingly approving a binding reform charter in a rare nationwide referendum. The vote, the first national election since a 2024 uprising ended years of political paralysis, was described as credible and competently managed by <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-election-commission-publishes-gazette-of-newly-elected-mps" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">international observers</a>, adding external validation to the country&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-jamaateislami-chief-recognizes-overall-outcome-of-election" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">democratic reset</a>. &ldquo;The 2026 parliamentary elections were credible and competently managed, marking a pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance and rule of law,&rdquo; said Ivars Ijabs, head of the European Union observer mission, speaking to reporters on Saturday. Final results of the 13th National Parliamentary Election show the BNP emerging as the dominant force in parliament, while voters also endorsed the July National Charter. A reform package designed to prevent a return to authoritarian rule and restructure core institutions of the state. According to the Election Commission (EC), voting was held in 299 of 300 constituencies, with results declared in 297. The BNP won 209 seats outright, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. Smaller parties and independents filled the remaining seats. Overall voter turnout stood at 59.44%. With alliance partners included, the BNP&rsquo;s total rises to 212 seats, while Jamaat&rsquo;s tally increases to 77 seats, giving it a significantly enlarged role as the main opposition in the new parliament. Running in parallel with the election, the national referendum on the July National Charter drew more than 70 million votes, with turnout at 60.26%. Official results show about 48 million voters, roughly 68%, backed the reforms, while nearly 23 million voted against. A government gazette notification, signed by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and issued on Friday night, confirmed that the referendum outcome makes the reform charter binding on parties that form the next government. Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on what he described as a decisive and historic mandate. &ldquo;The clear mandate delivered by the people in this historic democratic transition marks a significant milestone for the country&#39;s constitutional continuity, democratic consolidation and institutional stability,&rdquo; Yunus said in a written message. Expressing confidence in the incoming leadership, he added that Rahman would guide Bangladesh toward &ldquo;a stable, inclusive and development-oriented trajectory,&rdquo; grounded in democratic values, the rule of law, and accountable governance. From the opposition benches, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced that his party would accept the results and operate as a responsible opposition. &ldquo;We accept the overall results and respect the rule of law,&rdquo; he said in a public statement, describing the party&rsquo;s expanded presence in parliament as &ldquo;a foundation, not a setback.&rdquo; International reaction, particularly from Pakistan, framed the outcome as a milestone for democratic continuity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Rahman to congratulate him on what he termed a &ldquo;historic and resounding victory,&rdquo; reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated Rahman and the people of Bangladesh on the successful and peaceful conduct of the polls, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue to engage Bangladesh &ldquo;on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.&rdquo; With electoral legitimacy restored, reforms approved by popular vote, and both winners and opposition accepting the verdict, Bangladesh closes its election chapter with a rebalanced political order and a constitutionally anchored path forward.

European Union observers called Bangladesh’s polls credible as voters delivered a landslide parliamentary mandate and simultaneously endorsed sweeping constitutional reforms through a nationwide referendum with turnout.

Bangladesh vote resets power balance, backs reforms after years of upheaval

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a majority of more than two-thirds of the seats in parliamentary polls, the Election Commission said on Friday. Election Commission figures said the BNP alliance had won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, Commission senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters, according to AFP.&nbsp; Turnout was 59%. A referendum on a sweeping democratic charter was endorsed by 60%of voters. The BNP has emerged with a decisive parliamentary majority as counting continues from Dhaka&rsquo;s landmark general election, the first since a deadly 2024 uprising ended years of one-party dominance. According to the latest unofficial results, the BNP has won&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-votes-amid-tight-security-as-polling-begins-in-landmark-election" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(41, 105, 176);" rel="noopener noreferrer">198 seats</a>,&nbsp;while Jamaat-e-Islami secured 62 seats. The youth-led National Citizen Party (NCP) won two seats, with results in several constituencies still pending or withheld on legal grounds. Polling concluded on Thursday evening, with hand counting beginning immediately under heavy security. The vote is widely seen as Bangladesh&rsquo;s most competitive election in nearly two decades, following the student-led uprising that forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power in August 2024. The BNP, returning to power after nearly 20 years, urged restraint despite its strong showing. In a statement, the party said no victory rallies would be held, calling instead for nationwide prayers.&ldquo;Despite winning by a large margin, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised,&rdquo; the statement said, citing the party&rsquo;s responsibility to preserve stability. A clear outcome had been viewed as critical for the Muslim-majority nation of roughly 170 million people, after months of unrest disrupted daily life and key industries, including garments, Bangladesh&rsquo;s largest export sector. BNP leader Tarique Rahman, who returned from years in exile late last year, is widely expected to lead the next government. The transition was overseen by interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who assumed office after Hasina fled the country. At the BNP headquarters in Dhaka, supporters gathered overnight as the scale of the party&rsquo;s victory became apparent. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman struck a conciliatory tone, saying his party would accept the outcome if the prevailing trend held. &ldquo;We will do positive politics,&rdquo; he told reporters, adding that national interest would remain the party&rsquo;s priority. The Election Commission said results in three constituencies, Sherpur-2, Chittagong-2 and Chittagong-4, have been temporarily withheld due to pending legal cases involving winning candidates. &ldquo;The commission is legally obligated to withhold publication of results until final disposal of the relevant cases,&rdquo; said EC official Md Shahidul Islam. Turnout appeared higher than in the previous election, with officials earlier reporting participation approaching the mid-40% range by late afternoon. Voting was held in 299 constituencies, with one seat postponed following a candidate&rsquo;s death. 59% voter turnout&nbsp; Voter turnout in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12 reached 59.44%, according to the Election Commission of Bangladesh (EC). The information was released on Friday at 11:30 a.m. through a brief statement by Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director of the EC&rsquo;s Public Relations Division. Several parties raised concerns after preliminary results were announced. The NCP demanded recounts in multiple constituencies, alleging discrepancies between centre-level counts, media tallies and official announcements. &ldquo;We are getting clear evidence of result tampering aimed at top candidates,&rdquo; NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said at a late-night press conference. Despite these challenges, senior BNP figures framed the outcome as a mandate accompanied by responsibility. BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party would avoid triumphalism. &ldquo;We have many responsibilities ahead,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We do not want to create any tension through celebratory rallies.&rdquo; Alongside the parliamentary vote, a nationwide referendum on constitutional reforms was held, proposing term limits for prime ministers, stronger judicial independence and changes to parliamentary structure. Official results of the referendum have yet to be announced. International reactionsRegional and international leaders moved quickly to respond to the outcome of Bangladesh&rsquo;s landmark election, praising the peaceful conduct of the vote and the clear result. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated BNP leader Rahman on the party&rsquo;s landslide victory and extended greetings to the people of Bangladesh for what he described as a successful and orderly election. In a statement, Zardari said Pakistan &ldquo;felicitates Tarique Rahman on the decisive mandate&rdquo; and congratulated Bangladesh&rsquo;s citizens for participating in peaceful polls, reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s support for democratic governance and closer bilateral cooperation.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022139603470495866&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e79a25569e508f448e776fe8581c4fedba454a27&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 322px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said Pakistan looked forward to strengthening ties &ldquo;based on shared democratic values and mutual progress.&rdquo; Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X on Friday, stated: &quot;I extend my warmest felicitations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a resounding victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.&quot; &quot;I look forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership to further strengthen our historic, brotherly multifaceted bilateral relations and advance our shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022158528757350813&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e79a25569e508f448e776fe8581c4fedba454a27&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The United States also welcomed the result, offering congratulations to both voters and the winning party. &ldquo;Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on a successful election, and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman on your historic victory,&rdquo; the US embassy in Dhaka said in a statement. It added that Washington &ldquo;looks forward to working with the new leadership to advance shared goals of prosperity, security and regional stability.&rdquo; As counting continues and final results are certified, analysts say the coming days will test whether Bangladesh&rsquo;s post-uprising transition delivers political stability and restores public trust in democratic institutions.

According to Election Commission figures, the BNP alliance wins 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami–led alliance; voter turnout stands at 59%, and a referendum on a sweeping democratic charter is endorsed by 60% of voters.

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