BNP eyes stronger economic ties with Pakistan after election victory

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday expressed its desire to strengthen economic and constructive ties with Pakistan, while conveying its gratitude to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their congratulatory messages following the party’s election victory.

On X account, the BNP said, “Bangladesh and Pakistan share a history that has seen both challenges and cooperation, yet our peoples have continued to value dialogue, respect, and regional engagement. We remain hopeful that, in the years ahead, our two countries will further strengthen constructive ties, expand economic and people-to-people connections, and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous South Asia.”

The BNP also said that Bangladesh acknowledges the recent positive momentum in the bilateral engagements and remains open to fostering a forward-looking relationship with Pakistan based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and constructive dialogue.

“We look forward to exploring avenues of practical cooperation that contribute to regional peace, stability, and shared progress in South Asia,” it added.

President Zardari had extended his felicitations to Tarique Rahman on BNP’s landslide victory and congratulated the people of Bangladesh on their successful, peaceful polls.

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In a post on X handle, PM Shehbaz had also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.

The prime minister had said he looked forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership to further strengthen the historic, brotherly multifaceted bilateral relations and advance their shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.