ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh’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.

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 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%.

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 “historic and resounding victory,” reaffirming Islamabad’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 “based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.”

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’s regional posture in a fractured South Asian landscape.

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