13-feb-2026, 5:15, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman following his party’s victory in Bangladesh’s general election.
Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Tarique Rahman by telephone on February 13 and congratulated him on what Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office described as a “historic and resounding victory” in the election. The Pakistani prime minister also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls.
The conversation comes after the BNP secured a major victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary election, paving the way for Tarique Rahman to lead the country’s next government.
Shehbaz Sharif Congratulates Tarique Rahman
During the telephone conversation, Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Tarique Rahman and expressed his desire to work with Bangladesh’s new leadership.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh in areas of mutual interest.
The Pakistani leader also emphasised the importance of maintaining regional peace and progress while respecting the sovereignty and equality of both countries.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days.
Shehbaz Sharif also invited Tarique Rahman to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Pakistan Highlights Historical Ties With Bangladesh
The conversation also focused on the historical relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
According to the Pakistani government statement, Shehbaz Sharif recalled the “historic, brotherly relations” between the two countries and expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation.
Both leaders also remembered former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who died in December 2025. They paid tribute to her contribution to relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The reference to Khaleda Zia is significant because she was a central figure in Bangladesh’s BNP and had long played an important role in the country’s political relationship with Pakistan.
Tarique Rahman’s BNP Wins Bangladesh Election
The congratulations came after the BNP emerged as the dominant force in Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary election.
The result marked a major political change in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
Tarique Rahman, the BNP chairman and son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh after years abroad and led the party into the election.
The BNP’s victory gave the party a mandate to form the next government, with Tarique Rahman subsequently becoming prime minister. Reuters reported that the BNP and its allies secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Why the Election Matters for Pakistan
Tarique Rahman’s victory could provide an opportunity for Pakistan and Bangladesh to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Pakistan’s government has expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in areas including trade, cultural exchanges and regional engagement.
During his conversation with Rahman, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan wanted to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation while respecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
The two countries have historical connections, but their relationship has also been shaped by the complex political history surrounding Bangladesh’s independence.
The new political leadership in Dhaka could therefore create opportunities for both countries to reassess and expand their engagement.
Trade and Regional Cooperation
Economic cooperation could become an important part of the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Both countries have significant populations and growing consumer markets, creating opportunities for greater trade and commercial exchanges.
Pakistan has also indicated an interest in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh through regional forums and other diplomatic channels.
President Asif Ali Zardari separately congratulated Tarique Rahman and said Pakistan looked forward to working with Bangladesh’s new government on trade, defence, cultural exchanges and regional forums.
These statements suggest that Islamabad sees the change in Bangladesh’s political leadership as an opportunity to deepen bilateral engagement.
Pakistan’s Invitation to Tarique Rahman
One of the immediate outcomes of the conversation was Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to Tarique Rahman to visit Pakistan.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Rahman also invited Shehbaz Sharif to Bangladesh.
The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and work towards improving relations between the two countries.
A future visit could provide an opportunity for both governments to discuss trade, investment, regional security and people-to-people relations.
India Also Congratulates Tarique Rahman
Pakistan was not the only neighbouring country to respond to the Bangladesh election result.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Tarique Rahman on February 13 and congratulated him on the BNP’s victory.
Modi said India would continue to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh and expressed an interest in strengthening the two countries’ multifaceted relationship.
The responses from both India and Pakistan highlight the importance of Bangladesh’s political transition for its neighbours.
Bangladesh shares close geographic, economic and cultural connections with India, while Pakistan and Bangladesh also maintain historical and diplomatic ties.
Focus on Stronger Bilateral Engagement
The congratulatory exchange also signals an interest in maintaining regular high-level communication between Islamabad and Dhaka. Future discussions could cover trade, investment, education, cultural exchanges and regional cooperation. The two governments will now have an opportunity to turn the positive diplomatic statements into practical initiatives that benefit both countries.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on the formation of Bangladesh’s new government and the priorities of the Tarique Rahman administration.
For Pakistan, the coming months could provide an opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation.
The two countries may explore greater engagement in trade, investment, cultural exchanges and regional diplomacy.
However, the strength of the relationship will ultimately depend on the policies adopted by the new Bangladeshi government and the willingness of both sides to translate political statements into practical cooperation.
Conclusion
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s congratulatory call to Tarique Rahman marks an important diplomatic response to the BNP’s victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary election.
Shehbaz has expressed his intention to strengthen bilateral ties and invited Rahman to visit Pakistan.
With Bangladesh entering a new political phase, Pakistan is signalling its willingness to deepen engagement with the country’s new leadership.
The coming months will show whether the diplomatic goodwill expressed after the election develops into stronger cooperation in trade, investment, culture and regional affairs.
Sources: Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office, Radio Pakistan, President of Pakistan and Government of India.
