Pakistan has received an invitation to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bangladesh prime minister.
The Foreign Office confirmed receipt of the invitation from Dhaka. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not travel to Bangladesh owing to his previously scheduled visit to Austria.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the country's prime minister was invited to attend the swearing-in of his Bangladeshi counterpart. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already departed for Austria on a prior engagement and will therefore be unable to participate in the ceremony. A decision regarding Pakistan’s representation at the event will be conveyed in due course.
Sources said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also not attend the ceremony. The speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha will travel to Bangladesh to represent India.
Meanwhile, after winning the election, BNP chief Tarique Rahman addressed a press conference and stated that an accountable parliament and government were being restored before the people. He said the victory was a triumph for Bangladesh and a success for democracy.
Tarique Rahman added that his government would ensure improved law and order across the country. He urged unity to prevent the return of dictatorship, stating that while opinions may differ, unity in the national interest remained essential. He said national unity was collective strength and division a weakness.
