Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh signaled a coordinated push to reset bilateral relations on Sunday, as senior leaders from both sides underscored trade, connectivity, youth exchanges, and regional cooperation following Bangladesh&rsquo;s democratic transition.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with his Bangladeshi counterpart, newly-appointed Khalil ur Rahman, with both sides expressing a desire to strengthen ties &ldquo;with a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity,&rdquo; according to Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders agreed to expand cooperation across multiple sectors and build a forward-looking partnership for the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh,&rdquo; the official statement said.&nbsp;The diplomatic engagement follows Bangladesh&rsquo;s first competitive election since the 2024 uprising, which brought Tarique Rahman to office at the head of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government with a commanding parliamentary majority, marking a decisive shift after years of political unrest and strained regional ties.&nbsp;Momentum was reinforced in Dhaka, where Pakistan&rsquo;s Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal attended the oath-taking ceremony and held meetings with Bangladesh&rsquo;s new leadership and opposition figures, representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.&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, adding that PM Sharif &ldquo;would very much like to visit Bangladesh as early as possible.&rdquo;&nbsp;In his meeting with Bangladeshi prime minister, Iqbal conveyed formal congratulations and extended an invitation for an official visit to Pakistan, describing Bangladesh&rsquo;s peaceful transfer of power as &ldquo;an important milestone for democratic stability.&rdquo;&nbsp;Rahman, in turn, welcomed Pakistan&rsquo;s goodwill and committed to &ldquo;constructive and future-oriented relations.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We emphasized that Pakistan and Bangladesh are emerging economies with youthful populations,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;By investing in skills, entrepreneurship and the digital economy, youth can become a driving force for development.&rdquo;&nbsp;Iqbal said bilateral trade remains &ldquo;far below potential,&rdquo; calling for urgent efforts to expand commerce, integrate supply chains and enhance maritime connectivity through coastal ports. He said both sides discussed creating synergy in industrial capacity, small and medium enterprises, and export strategies to improve access to global value chains.&nbsp;Alongside high-level political outreach, Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic mission in Dhaka has stepped up engagement with Bangladesh&rsquo;s new foreign policy leadership. Pakistan&rsquo;s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Khalil ur Rahman, congratulating him on assuming office and briefing him on recent developments in bilateral relations.&nbsp;According to the Pakistan High Commission, Haider highlighted positive momentum across education, connectivity, trade, agriculture and health, as well as the activation of bilateral institutional mechanisms. Rahman welcomed the briefing, expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved, and emphasized the importance of exploring new avenues to further expand and deepen cooperation. Both sides also exchanged views on collaboration at multilateral forums.&nbsp;The high commissioner separately met Bangladesh&rsquo;s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, congratulating her on assuming office and noting that Pakistan-Bangladesh relations are rooted in shared history, cultural affinities and people-to-people ties.&nbsp;Islam welcomed the engagement and stressed the need to enhance cooperation across all domains to realize the full potential of bilateral relations. Both sides agreed to strengthen ties guided by a forward-looking approach, mutual respect and sovereign equality.&nbsp;At the conclusion of talks with PM Rahman during Iqbal&#39;s Dhaka tour, both sides reaffirmed their resolve to translate goodwill into tangible outcomes, agreeing on the need to revitalize the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and to advance South Asia through geo-economics rather than geopolitics.&nbsp;&ldquo;South Asia remains among the least integrated regions in the world,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;Through improved connectivity and trade facilitation, Pakistan and Bangladesh can open new avenues of shared prosperity for the region.&rdquo;

Bangladesh

Bangladeshi foreign minister engages Pakistan through a phone call and a Dhaka meeting with the high commissioner, reaffirming momentum for expanded cooperation, connectivity and forward-looking bilateral relations.

Pakistan, Bangladesh move to reset ties after Dhaka transition

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles, and Jute Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir said national policies would be reformed to increase foreign investment in the country&rsquo;s jute sector, Bangladesh local media reported on Wednesday. Speaking with officials at the secretariat in Dhaka, the minister said, &ldquo;People are now increasingly interested in natural and biodegradable products.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;policies will be reformed to increase foreign investment in jute sector.&rdquo; The minister said jute has had a historical connection with the country&rsquo;s heritage. &ldquo;We must highlight our competitive mindset, capacity, and advantages globally to attract foreign investors,&rdquo; the State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said on the occasion.&nbsp; &ldquo;Everyone must work in unity in accordance with the government&#39;s directives,&rdquo; he added. Bangladesh local media reported that he stressed the need for coordinated efforts to position Bangladesh&rsquo;s jute industry more effectively in international markets. Earlier, textiles and jute secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi presented an overview of the ministry&rsquo;s overall activities, Bangladeshi media reported. Additional secretaries Arifur Rahman Khan, Subrata Shikdar, Raina Ahmed, along with senior officials and employees of the ministry and heads of its subordinate departments and agencies, were present on the occasion. The ministers represent Tarique Rahman&rsquo;s new cabinet following the Bangladesh nationalist party&#39;s victory in the recent elections. &nbsp; According to local media, both Abdul Muktadir and Shariful Alam have extensive experience in their respective industries and have been associated with politics, business, and trade sectors for a long time.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir announces planned policy reforms to boost foreign investment in the country’s jute sector, citing rising global demand for biodegradable products and urging coordinated efforts to strengthen international competitiveness under the new cabinet.

Bangladesh plans to attract foreign investment in jute sector

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

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

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh ended 2025 at a crucial crossroads, facing challenges in political transition, governance reforms, and democratic accountability following the July 2024 Uprising. The year was marked by active youth participation, highlighting the nation&rsquo;s demographic dividend and setting a tone for future socio-political developments, said a report published by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the state-owned news agency of Bangladesh. These were some of the major events that shaped 2025 for the country. Khaleda Zia&rsquo;s demiseThe country lost its former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, on Dec. 30. Zia was the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world. Apart from countrymen and people cutting across their political affiliations, she drew tributes from international leaders, including the premiers of India and Pakistan. Her funeral prayer drew millions, and she was buried beside the mausoleum of her slain husband, Ziaur Rahman. Signing of National July CharterOn Oct.17, the landmark &ldquo;July National Charter 2025&rdquo; was signed after protracted consultations between the political parties and the National Consensus Commission, headed by the interim government&rsquo;s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. During the signing ceremony, Professor Yunus said Bangladesh &quot;embraced civilization&quot; by signing the document and described the ceremony as the &quot;birth of a New Bangladesh.&quot; The charter contains a seven-point commitment, urging the signatory political parties to uphold it as the will of the people expressed in the July 2024 Uprising and grounded in democratic principles and national consensus. Launching of NCPOn Feb. 28, the National Citizen Party (NCP), comprising the students and youths who spearheaded the July 2024 Uprising, emerged as a political party vowing to pursue politics of national unity over division and to materialize their vision for a &ldquo;second republic.&rdquo; July martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi&rsquo;s sister Mim Akhter announced the top leadership of the NCP central committee at its inaugural rally at Manik Mia Avenue in front of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital, with one of the top July 2024 Uprising leaders, Nahid Islam, as its convener and Akhter Hossen as member secretary. Unveiling of the July DeclarationOn August 5, Professor Yunus unveiled the &ldquo;July Declaration&rdquo; before the nation at a public gathering at South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The event was arranged to commemorate the July 2024 Uprising Day. Tarique Rahman&rsquo;s homecomingBangladesh&rsquo;s transitional political landscape witnessed a significant event when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh on Dec. 25 after 17 years in exile in the UK. Hundreds of thousands of people welcomed him, rallying on the streets stretching from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the July 36 Expressway, popularly known as 300-Feet Road, where he addressed a mammoth public reception. Referring to a popular quote from US civil rights activist Martin Luther King, &ldquo;I Have a Dream&rdquo;, Tarique Rahman said, &ldquo;I have a plan for the people of my country and for my countrymen,&rdquo; and sought people&rsquo;s cooperation to realize his plan. Disbanding of Awami LeagueOn May 12, the government banned all activities of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League and its associated and affiliated organizations under Bangladesh&rsquo;s tough Anti-Terrorism Act, on allegations of killings, genocide, crimes against humanity, and other grave offences to tame the July uprising, issuing an executive order. Coinciding with the order, the Election Commission suspended Bangladesh Awami League&rsquo;s registration on the same day, disqualifying it from contesting the upcoming general elections. Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s trialOn Nov. 17, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced to death deposed premier Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after their trial in absentia. The three-judge panel headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder convicted them on charges of committing crimes against humanity on grounds of superior command responsibility for offences committed during the July Uprising. Osman Hadi&rsquo;s killingThe fag-end of the year witnessed the fatal attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of the cultural group Inqilab Mancha, imbued with the July Uprising spirit, and his subsequent death on Dec. 18, sparking a nationwide protest and uproar. Hadi&rsquo;s funeral prayers held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Complex drew tens of thousands of people on Dec. 20. The chief adviser, his advisory council members, and senior government officials in civil and military services also attended. Hadi was buried beside National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam&rsquo;s Mausoleum on the Dhaka University campus. Milestone School Tragedy&nbsp;On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a building on the campus of Milestone School and College at Diabari of the capital&rsquo;s Uttara area, killing 36 people, mostly school children, with the rest being staff, teachers, and the fighter jet&rsquo;s pilot. Over 170 people were injured, with many suffering severe burns; hospitals, especially the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, were overwhelmed with patients. Student union elections&nbsp;After a long impasse, authorities staged central student union elections at premier Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, and Rajshahi University in September and October. Long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students&rsquo; Union elections were held on Sept. 9 after a six-year pause. Chittagong University Central Students&rsquo; Union and Rajshahi University Central Students&#39; Union elections were held on Oct. 15 and 16, respectively, after 35 years, while Jahangirnagar University Central Students&#39; Union polls were held on Sept. 11 after 33 years. Bangladesh women&#39;s football team&rsquo;s successOn July 2, Bangladesh&#39;s women&#39;s football team created history by qualifying for the AFC Women&#39;s Asian Cup 2026 for the first time, following their outstanding 2-1 triumph over host Myanmar in their second group match at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon. The success earned the team the Ekushey Padak 2025, Bangladesh&#39;s second-highest civilian award. Bangladesh&rsquo;s U-20 women&rsquo;s football team won the 2025 SAFF U-20 Women&rsquo;s Championship, held from July 11 to 21 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena and Sports Ground in Dhaka.

Bangladesh bade farewell to 2025, standing at a crossroads, preparing to lead its people into a new political and social transition amid renewed public expectations.

Bangladesh in 2025: Journey of reforms and political upheavals

DHAKA:&nbsp;The heir to Bangladesh&#39;s longtime ruling family and a leader of its most powerful political party, Tarique Rahman, is set to return home after 17 years in exile and ahead of key elections. Rahman, 60, an aspiring prime minister who has lived in London since he fled Bangladesh in 2008 over what he called a politically motivated persecution, is due to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday. Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), he is expected to take the reins from his ailing mother, 80-year-old former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in the February 12, 2026, elections. But she was hospitalized soon after that pledge, and she has been in intensive care ever since. The elections will be the first since a mass uprising last year ended the 15-year hardline rule of&nbsp;Sheikh Hasina, who was at odds with the BNP. Since Hasina&#39;s fall from power, Rahman has been acquitted of the most serious charge against him: a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally.&nbsp; He had denied the charges. &lsquo;Fantastic day&rsquo;BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has promised Rahman will &ldquo;arrive among us on the soil of Dhaka&rdquo; on December 25, which he said will be a &ldquo;fantastic day.&rdquo; Rahman, often pictured beside his mother on BNP banners, has long been groomed for leadership. In June, he met in London with Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner leading the interim government until the February elections. Rahman, known in Bangladesh as Tarique Zia, carries a political name that has defined his life. His father, Ziaur Rahman, was an army commander. Ziaur Rahman gained influence months after a 1975 coup in which Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s father -- founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was murdered. &lsquo;Battle of the Begums&rsquo;That fuelled lifelong tensions between the Zia and Hasina families, dubbed the &ldquo;Battle of the Begums&rdquo;&mdash;&ldquo;begum&rdquo; meaning a powerful woman. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated when his son was 15. The younger Rahman grew up in his mother&rsquo;s political orbit, as Zia went on to become the country&rsquo;s first female prime minister, alternating her terms in power with Hasina. Rahman briefly studied international relations at Dhaka University before entering politics at 23, joining the BNP in its fight against military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, according to his party. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">&lsquo;Unnerves many&rsquo;&nbsp;</h2>Still, Rahman&rsquo;s career has been dogged by allegations of nepotism and mismanagement. A 2006 US embassy cable described him as the BNP&#39;s &ldquo;heir apparent&rdquo; who &ldquo;inspires few but unnerves many&rdquo;. Rahman was arrested on corruption charges in 2007 and claimed he was tortured in custody. Reports suggested his release was conditional on leaving politics.&nbsp; Freed later that year, he flew to London in 2008 for medical treatment and never returned. After Hasina swept to power in 2008, her government jailed tens of thousands of BNP members. In 2018, Rahman was again sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for allegedly orchestrating the 2004 attack on Hasina&rsquo;s rally -- a case the BNP called a bid to eliminate the Zia dynasty from politics. In Britain, he kept a low profile alongside his wife, a cardiologist, and their daughter. Since Hasina&rsquo;s ouster, Rahman emerged as an outspoken figure on social media and a rallying point for BNP supporters.

Since Hasina's fall from power, Rahman has been acquitted of the most serious charge against him: a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally. 

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