Islamabad, Feb 13 (.) President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing a landslide majority in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, securing the mandate to form the next government.
In a statement, President Zardari extended his felicitations to the people of Bangladesh for the smooth and successful conduct of polls across 299 constituencies, noting the participation of over 127 million registered voters.
The Tarique Rahman–led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) surged toward a decisive victory in Thursday’s national elections, paving the way for Rahman, 60, to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister.
Having returned to the country after 17 years in self-imposed exile in the UK, Rahman was elected from both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6, The Daily Star reported.
In Dhaka-17, Rahman secured 72,699 votes, defeating his nearest rival Khaleduzzaman of Jamaat-e-Islami, who received 68,300 votes. In Bogura-6, he garnered a commanding 216,284 votes, well ahead of Abidur Rahman Sohel of Jamaat-e-Islami, who received 97,626 votes.
The BNP has secured 210 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies have won 73 seats, and independents hold 8 seats in the 300-member parliament, according to official figures. A party or alliance requires 151 seats for a simple majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad.
In a statement, he congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls across 299 seats with the participation of over 127 million registered voters.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh, the President said Pakistan looks forward to working with the new government to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges and regional forums.
Zardari expressed the hope that the new political environment in Dhaka would contribute to more balanced, independent and mutually respectful engagement across the region.
The President conveyed his best wishes for the continued stability, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also extended congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to a resounding victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
In a post on X handle, he also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.
The Prime Minister said he looks 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.
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