ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday congratulated Bangladesh on a “historic democratic transition,” as he pointed to positive momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations during a visit to Dhaka for the oath-taking of Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman.

Bangladesh’s parliament was sworn in earlier in the day, marking the first elected legislature since a deadly 2024 uprising that toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina. Rahman, 60, is chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and won a landslide victory in the February 12 elections.

He is set to formally take office later on Tuesday after lawmakers pledged loyalty before their country’s chief election commissioner.

The Pakistani minister said in a social media post on X he met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, and congratulated him “on the successful conduct of elections and the historic democratic transition.”

“Our discussions focused on opening a new, forward-looking chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations,” he said. “I expressed appreciation for the positive momentum in bilateral ties, including growing trade engagement, revival of direct air connectivity, and renewed people-to-people contacts.”

“We agreed that the current regional and geopolitical environment demands greater economic cooperation, connectivity, and collaboration between our two countries,” he added.

Iqbal also extended an invitation to Yunus to visit Pakistan to institutionalize cooperation in youth empowerment, innovation and sustainable development.

“Pakistan and Bangladesh share deep cultural, historical, and social affinities,” he said. “It is time to transform these affinities into structured economic partnerships, academic exchanges, and regional cooperation. Our future lies in building connectivity, expanding trade, empowering youth, and shaping a stable and prosperous South Asia together.”

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister-elect Rahman has pledged to restore economic stability and revive growth after months of turmoil that rattled investor confidence in the world’s second-largest garment exporter. In his victory speech, he described the outcome as a win for democracy but warned of challenges, including a fragile economy and weakened institutions.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved bilateral ties amid a recent thaw in relations. The two countries were part of the same state until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that long cast a shadow over ties.

Relations have warmed since August 2024, after the ouster of Hasina, who was widely viewed as close to India. While Islamabad and Dhaka have moved closer, ties between Bangladesh and New Delhi remain strained over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.