Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider met Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rehman in Dhaka on Sunday, in the first diplomatic contact with Bangladesh’s new government, congratulating him on assuming office and highlighting recent progress in bilateral relations.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in areas including education, trade, agriculture, health, and communication, with discussions on establishing formal bilateral mechanisms. Both sides emphasised the importance of finding new ways to expand collaboration.

Dr Khalilur Rehman welcomed the briefing and expressed satisfaction over the progress in Pakistan-Bangladesh ties.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returned to power in a landslide victory, winning 212 seats in parliament. Jamaat-e-Islami became the second largest party with 68 seats, while the student party NCP secured six seats.

Tariq Rehman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP leader, was sworn in as prime minister on Feb. 17. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated him and extended an invitation for an official visit to Pakistan.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, resigned and fled the country on Aug. 5, 2024, amid nationwide student protests over the government job quota system.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus was formed on Aug. 8, 2024, and governed for 18 months, focusing on constitutional and electoral reforms before the elections that brought the BNP back to power.

A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick in Washington D.C., focusing on strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.

Aurangzeb was accompanied by the Secretary of Commerce, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States and trade and economic ministers, read a statement on Saturday.

 “Both sides expressed the desire to enhance our economic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment, besides discussing the USA’s interest in investing in fields of ICT, mining, minerals and energy,” it added.

The Minister of Finance appreciated the role of the US Chamber of Commerce in organising the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum on 31st March, 2026, which would be attended by renowned companies from both countries, besides ministerial representation from Pakistan and the USA.

Aurangzeb expressed the hope that the office of the US Commerce Secretary would also participate in the same.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to further their engagements on investments in major projects in the coming months, added the statement.

Last week, Aurangzeb said he would travel to the United States to advance economic engagement, as Pakistan reassessed its trade positioning following recent agreements between New Delhi and Washington, with Bangladesh also reaching an understanding with Washington, which has unsettled local industry.

Days ago, Pakistan agreed with the US government to jointly redevelop New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, the government in Islamabad, allowing Islamabad to unlock value from its major overseas investment.

Restructuring and privatisation of state assets are central to Pakistan’s $7 billion programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the century-old hotel in Midtown Manhattan owned by Pakistan’s national airline plays a key role in those plans.

The hotel, which the cash- strapped South Asian nation has estimated could be worth more than $1 billion, has been closed since 2020 and is considered for redevelopment rather than outright sale.

The two countries signed a memorandum that outlines plans to cooperate on the operation, maintenance, renovation, and redevelopment of the hotel.

A boat carrying irregular migrants from Libya to Greece capsized, leaving at least five people dead and 25 others missing, according to initial reports.

The vessel was carrying around 50 migrants when the incident occurred.

Rescue teams managed to save 20 individuals, while search operations continued for those still unaccounted for.

Authorities said the passengers included Pakistani nationals, along with citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt and Sudan.

Details regarding the exact location of the sinking and the cause of the incident were not immediately available.

Irregular migration routes across the Mediterranean are considered among the world’s most dangerous, with overcrowded boats frequently attempting the perilous journey from North Africa to Europe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the Pakistan men’s team will tour Bangladesh in March for a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, with all games to be played in Dhaka.

According to the PCB, the national side will arrive in Bangladesh on March 9 (Monday) and hold a training session on March 10 (Tuesday) ahead of the opening match.

The first ODI will be played on March 11, followed by the second on March 13 and the third on March 15.

All matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

This will be Pakistan’s second tour of Bangladesh since July 2025, when the visitors played a three-match T20I series that Bangladesh won 2-1.

Earlier, Bangladesh toured Pakistan in May and June last year, where Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, secured a 3-0 clean sweep in a three-match T20I series.

Cricket analysts say the upcoming ODI series holds significance for both sides as it strengthens bilateral engagements and provides preparation ahead of future international 50-over competitions.

Fans are expecting a competitive contest between the two teams.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the mob culture in Bangladesh has ended with the BNP government assuming office through the landslide victory in the 13th parliament election.

“Mob culture in Bangladesh ends. The mob culture in no way to be tolerated,” he added. 

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on his first working day at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.

The minister said the government will not tolerate any more occupying the highways and roads and mob culture in the name of pressing for the demands.

“The logical demands will be met through due process,” he said.

The minister, however, said meetings, rallies and other lawful democratic rights can be exercised.

Ahmed, also a Standing Committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said the government would transform the Bangladesh Police into a people-friendly force with regaining its lost glory.

“Police have to be people’s friends. The lost image of the police will have to be regained,” he said.

The Home Ministry will be made a corruption-free ministry, completely with ensuring accountability and transparency of all concerned. “No illegal lobby will be tolerated,” he assured.

Ahmed also vowed to bring the corrupt elements in the law enforcement agencies to justice through proper investigation.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced the sighting of the Ramazan crescent, confirming that the first fast will be observed on Wednesday.

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia said the sighting was confirmed after verified testimonies were received by authorised moon sighting committees across the kingdom.

Following the announcement, preparations for Taraweeh prayers and fasting began nationwide, while adjustments to official and private-sector working hours were also initiated.

The UAE’s Presidential Court separately confirmed the moon sighting after approval by the country’s moon sighting committee, declaring Wednesday as the first day of Ramazan.

Authorities said arrangements for worship, Sehri and Iftar had been finalised across the country.

Qatar and Kuwait also announced that Ramadzan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, following confirmed sightings of the crescent moon.

In contrast, the crescent was not sighted on Tuesday evening in several countries across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

As a result, Ramazan will begin on Thursday, February 19, in Oman, Indonesia and Turkiye.

Governments in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan also announced that the moon was not sighted, confirming Thursday as the first fast.

Brunei and the Philippines likewise said Ramazan would begin on February 19.

In Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Iran, Tuesday marked the 28th of Shaban, making a moon sighting announcement due on Wednesday.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Wednesday to sight the Ramazan moon in Pakistan.

According to the spokesperson for SUPARCO, there is a strong likelihood that the first fast in Pakistan will be observed on February 19, subject to moon sighting confirmation.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, marking a decisive political shift in the South Asian nation after his party’s sweeping parliamentary election victory.

Rahman, 60, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman, takes office facing urgent challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after the prolonged turmoil that followed the Gen Z‑led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.

An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ran the country through the transitional period leading up to the election.

Breaking with tradition, the swearing‑in ceremony was held under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament building, instead of the Bangabhaban, the president’s official residence, where such events are usually organised.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin officiated as Rahman and his cabinet took their oaths in the presence of senior political figures, diplomats, civil and military officials, and representatives from invited countries, including China, India and Pakistan.

Rahman’s BNP secured a commanding two‑thirds majority, returning to power after nearly two decades. The Islamist party Jamaat‑e‑Islami, contesting its first election since a 2013 ban was lifted following Hasina’s ouster, won a record 68 seats.

Hasina’s Awami League party was banned from contesting after its registration was revoked by the Election Commission.

Jamaat and its allies — including the National Citizen Party, led by youth activists who played a prominent role in the movement that toppled Hasina — will form the opposition.

Rahman’s elevation caps a long and turbulent political journey. He returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years of self‑imposed exile in London, arriving shortly before his mother’s death.

Rivals have long criticised his political record, pointing to corruption allegations he denies, but his return energised party supporters and reshaped the BNP’s campaign.

In his first remarks after the election, Rahman urged calm and restraint, saying: “Peace, law and order must be maintained at any cost.” He called on supporters to avoid retaliation, warning: “We will not tolerate any kind of chaos.”

The schedule for the One-Day International and Test series between the Pakistan national cricket team and the Bangladesh national cricket team has been finalised on Tuesday, sources said.

According to sources, the ODI series will consist of three matches to be played in Dhaka.

The first ODI is scheduled for March 12, the second for March 14 and the third for March 16.

Sources said that following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League, the two sides will compete in a two-Test series.

The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be held in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, while the second Test will take place in Chattogram from May 16 to 20.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board said it will soon officially announce the final dates for both series.

The newly elected members of Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) took their oath on Tuesday, clearing the way for the formation of the new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted in Dhaka by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasiruddin.

Among those taking the oath was the nominated prime minister, Tariq Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia, who will formally assume office after being confirmed by the parliamentary vote.

Following the ceremony, members of parliament will exercise their right to vote for the nominated prime minister.

Tariq Rahman’s cabinet will also be sworn in later, with both local and foreign dignitaries expected to attend.

Pakistan was represented at the event by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also held meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials.

In the recent general election, the BNP and its allies secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, winning 212 seats.

The second-largest party, Jamaat-e-Islami, won 68 seats, while the student-backed NCP secured six seats.

In an address to the nation, outgoing interim President Mohammad Yunus praised voters and political parties for upholding democratic norms and congratulated Tariq Rahman on his party’s decisive victory.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal will attend the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh, scheduled to be held in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The minister will represent Pakistan as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not be able to attend the ceremony due to a prior overseas engagement, according to a Foreign Office statement.

Pakistan’s participation in the ceremony reflects its support for Bangladesh’s democratic process and underscores its commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, it added.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended their felicitations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing a landslide majority in the national elections and receiving the mandate to form the next government.

Both dignitaries expressed a desire to work towards strengthening “brotherly, multifaceted bilateral relations”.

The BNP won a decisive two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability after months of tumult following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.

Latest counts in an election seen as the South Asian nation’s first truly competitive in years gave the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 seats up for grabs, domestic TV channels said.

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

In a statement, President Zardari congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls across 299 seats with the participation of over 127 million registered voters.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh, the president said Pakistan looks forward to working with the new government to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges and regional forums.

President said the elections in Bangladesh mark an opportunity for South Asia to move beyond past phases in which regional cooperation, including within SAARC, was held hostage by India who continues to paralyse the great forum that was born in Bangladesh in 1985.

He expressed the hope that the new political environment in Dhaka would contribute to more balanced, independent and mutually respectful engagement across the region.

The president conveyed his best wishes for the continued stability, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.

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

The PM said he looks 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.

Bangladesh’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, returning to power after nearly two decades and positioning party leader Tarique Rahman to become prime minister as the country emerges from months of unrest and economic disruption.

Rahman, the son of former premier Khaleda Zia, who returned to Dhaka in December after nearly two decades abroad, faces immediate challenges in restoring political stability, reviving investor confidence and rebuilding key industries - including the garment sector - after prolonged turmoil that followed the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government last year.

The latest counts in a vote viewed as the South Asian nation’s first truly competitive election in years gave the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 seats up for grabs, local TV channels said. The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

The Election Commission put the BNP at 181 seats, the Jamaat-e-Islami at 61 and others at 7, with full official results expected in the next few hours.

Results in several seats are still being processed, and the full result is expected within hours, the commission said, though the gazette notification will take a few more days, which could delay the swearing-in of the new government.

Under the constitution, the new government cannot be sworn in unless the gazette notification reporting the results is released.

The BNP thanked its supporters soon after election trends became clear and called for special prayers on Friday for the nation and its people.

“Despite winning … by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised,” the party said in a statement.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by youth activists who played a key role in toppling Hasina, won just five of the 30 seats that it contested. The NCP was part of the Jamaat-led alliance.

A clear outcome had been viewed as key for stability in the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million after months of deadly anti-Hasina unrest disrupted everyday life and industries, including garment manufacturing. Bangladesh is the No. 2 exporter of garments in the world.

“A strong majority gives the BNP the parliamentary strength to pass reforms efficiently and avoid legislative paralysis. That alone can create short-term political stability,” said Selim Raihan, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka.

In its manifesto, the BNP promised to prioritise job creation, protect low-income and marginal households and ensure fair prices to farmers.

“If the factories run regularly and we get our wages on time, that’s what matters to us. I just want the BNP government to bring back stability so more orders come to Bangladesh and we can survive,” Josna Begum, 28, a garment worker and mother of two.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T.Christensen, were among the first to congratulate Rahman on his party’s victory.

BNP supporters celebrate overnight

The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami conceded defeat late on Thursday night once trends became clear, but said in a statement on Friday that it was “not satisfied” with the process and asked its followers to remain patient.

The party won its highest-ever tally of 70 seats in Parliament, contesting for the first time since it was banned in 2013 after its registration was cancelled. A court in Bangladesh said the party’s constitution went against secularism. The ban was lifted after Hasina’s ouster.

Now in exile in New Delhi, Hasina long dominated Bangladesh politics along with Rahman’s mother, while his father was a leading independence figure who ruled from 1977 until 1981 before he was assassinated.

The BNP’s win with more than 200 seats is one of its biggest, surpassing its 2001 victory with 193, although Hasina’s Awami League, which ruled for 15 years and was barred from contesting this time, secured a bigger tally of 230 in 2008.

But elections of other years were boycotted by one of the main parties or were contentious.

Overnight, throngs of supporters cheered and shouted slogans at the BNP headquarters in Dhaka as the scale of the party’s landslide became clear.

Turnout exceeded the 42% of the last election in 2024, with media reports saying nearly 60% of registered voters participated in the election on Thursday.

More than 2,000 candidates, many independents among them, were on the ballot, which featured a record number of at least 50 parties. Voting in one constituency was postponed after a candidate died.

Broadcaster Jamuna TV said more than 2 million voters chose “Yes” while more than 850,000 said “No” in a referendum on constitutional reforms held alongside the election, but there was no official word on the outcome.

The changes include two-term limits for prime ministers and stronger judicial independence and women’s representation, while providing for neutral interim governments during election periods and setting up a second house of the 300-seat parliament.

Vote counting is underway across Bangladesh following the completion of polling in the country’s first general elections since the so-called “Gen Z uprising,” a period of political change that reshaped the national landscape.

The elections are being closely watched as voters cast ballots for new leadership for the first time since the recent political upheaval, making the contest a critical moment for the country’s democratic and political direction.

More than 127 million registered voters were eligible to take part in the polls. To form a government, a party or coalition must secure at least 151 of the 300 National Assembly seats.

Polling was held in 299 constituencies and began at 6:30 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time, continuing until 3:30 p.m. Election authorities confirmed a voter turnout of around 48 per cent.

Officials said security was tightened at polling stations nationwide to ensure a peaceful voting process. No major incidents were reported during polling.

A total of 1,981 candidates contested the elections. Bangladesh currently has 51 registered political parties, with 1,732 candidates fielded by parties and 249 independents also in the race.

The political landscape remains highly competitive, with multiple alliances seeking to mobilise voter support in the post-uprising environment.

An 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is among the major contenders. Political analysts say the bloc has drawn significant backing from younger voters associated with the Gen Z movement, which played a key role in recent political developments.

Another major alliance is led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The coalition has run an extensive campaign, presenting itself as a force for political stability and balance.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating in the elections. Hasina was in office during the Gen Z uprising and was later ousted before leaving for India.

The ban on the Awami League has altered the nature of the electoral contest and remains a subject of debate in political circles.

Analysts say the elections will have a decisive impact on Bangladesh’s future, particularly at a time when public expectations are high.

Young voters, empowered by the recent political movement, are seeking transparent governance, economic improvement, and institutional reforms from the next government.

With polling now concluded, attention has shifted to the counting process, which is expected to clarify the country’s political direction in the coming hours and days.

The United States is concerned about China’s expanding presence in South Asia and is planning to offer Bangladesh’s next government US and allied defence systems as alternatives to Chinese hardware, Washington’s ambassador to Dhaka told Reuters.

Bangladesh votes in a general election on Thursday after a Gen Z-led uprising toppled India-allied premier Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

She has since taken refuge in New Delhi, allowing China to deepen its influence in Bangladesh as India’s presence wanes.

China recently signed a defence agreement with Bangladesh to build a drone factory near the India border, worrying foreign diplomats.

Bangladesh is also in talks with Pakistan to buy JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China.

“The United States is concerned about growing Chinese influence in South Asia and is committed to working closely with the Bangladeshi government to clearly communicate the risks of certain types of engagement with China,” US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen said in an interview on Tuesday.

“The US offers a range of options to help Bangladesh meet its military capability needs, including US systems and those from allied partners, to provide alternatives to Chinese systems,” he said without offering further details.

The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Christensen also said that President Donald Trump’s administration would “like to see a good relationship between Bangladesh and India to support stability in the region”.

New Delhi-Dhaka relations have nosedived since Hasina fled, badly affecting visa services and cricket ties between the two neighbours.

Commercial diplomacy is priority

Christensen said many US businesses were looking at potentially investing in Bangladesh but would want the next government to show early and clear signs that it is “open for business”.

“Commercial diplomacy is one of our top priorities, and we look forward to working with the new government to build on progress made with the interim government, particularly in strengthening commercial, economic, and security ties,” he said.

Energy producer Chevron has been in Bangladesh for decades, but not many other US companies are visible in the densely populated country of 175 million people, as high taxes and difficulties repatriating profits have created some hurdles.

There are no Starbucks or McDonald’s outlets in Bangladesh.

The envoy said Washington would work with “whichever government is elected by the Bangladeshi people”.

The race is between two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat‑e‑Islami, with opinion polls suggesting the BNP holds an advantage.

Aid for Rohingya refugees

Regarding the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh, the ambassador said the United States remained the largest contributor to humanitarian operations.

“The US remains the largest contributor to the Rohingya refugee response and continues robust health programming in Bangladesh,” he said, noting a recent $2 billion worldwide funding framework signed with the United Nations to improve the effectiveness of such assistance, including in Bangladesh.

He urged other international donors to take on a greater share of the burden.

“The US cannot sustain the bulk of the effort alone. International partners need to increase their support for the Rohingya response,” he said.

In recent years, the UN refugee agency has been struggling to raise sufficient funds to support the Rohingya community, leading to cuts in their rations and the closure of some schools for them.

Jobs, governance and the freedom to speak without fear top the priorities of Bangladesh’s Gen Z voters as the South Asian country heads into a national election called after a student‑led uprising in 2024 toppled longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Thursday’s vote is considered the Muslim-majority nation’s first competitive election since 2009, even though Hasina’s Awami League party has been barred from contesting as the Election Commission has suspended its registration.

A decisive result is critical for restoring stability in the nation of 175 million after months of unrest that has disrupted major industries, including the garments sector in the world’s second‑largest exporter.

Nearly 28% of Bangladesh’s population is between the ages of 15-29, or from Gen Z, according to government estimates from 2022.

After taking a leading role in Hasina’s 2024 ouster, these youngsters are expected to come out in large numbers to vote, and their choices could be crucial in a close contest.

But there has been no major reform in the interim, and no viable alternative party has emerged, according to many, leaving the battle for government mostly between frontrunners Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, both established parties.

“This election comes from the July (2024) movement,” said Farhan Sadik, 20.

“If candidates think they can do politics the old way, that won’t work.”

A youth‑driven party born out of the country’s 2024 uprising has joined Jamaat in a coalition; however, most analysts expect BNP to win.

Shakil Ahmed, a government and politics professor at Jahangirnagar University, said young voters were “looking for a new political class to take charge”.

“Since the newly formed party has not provided a broad‑based political platform, the BNP is expected to be their preferred choice.”

Asif Shahan, a professor at the University of Dhaka, however, said Gen Z voters were likely to back Jamaat.

“It may not be decisive, but it will certainly give Jamaat a significant boost,” he said.

Jobs, freedom, law and order

Gen Z voters that Reuters spoke to said their main issues were job opportunities and political freedom.

“I expect the new government to understand young job seekers like me,” said Monika Akter, 24, from Bogura district who will vote for the first time.

“We need a fair and transparent recruitment and exam process. Especially National University graduates - we suffer the most.”

Mohammed Muniruzzaman, 21, added: “About 86% of National University students are unemployed — that’s really painful. We don’t want to finish our studies and remain jobless. We need IT‑based education so we can compete globally.”

National University is a public institution that runs over 2,200 colleges across Bangladesh.

Freedom of expression — which critics say was sharply curtailed under Hasina — is another defining issue.

“We couldn’t speak freely during the fascist period,” said journalist Mohammed Saimum Jahan, 22.

“Whoever comes to power, we need freedom of speech — even to criticise the government.”

In rural areas, Gen Z voters were focused more on bread-and-butter issues.

“We spend a lot on seeds and fertiliser, but when we sell vegetables, we don’t get a fair rate,” said Farhana Akhter, 21, from a farming family in Bogura.

“We don’t expect miracles in one day, but we hope things improve step by step.”

Some young voters said they were turning toward parties they believe can deliver locally, rather than the BNP or Jamaat.

“This time we want a peaceful country where young people can earn by work, not by gambling or crime,” said Mohammad Tarek, 20, a horse‑cart driver.

Some voters remain undecided.

“All I remember is the Awami regime,” said 19‑year‑old Suraiya Khatun. “I don’t really know how BNP or Jamaat work. I’m still deciding.”

Another issue was the safety of minorities in the country.

“We are always tagged as a minority,” said Promila Rani Das, 24, a Hindu. “This is our country too.”

Mohammad Shakil, 22, a driver, said: “Whoever comes to power must put humanity first. We ordinary people of all religions just want to live peacefully.”

Federal Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s decision to boycott the World Cup match against India was intended solely to show solidarity with Bangladesh and was not linked to any conditions or political demands.

Speaking to journalists at Peshawar Cricket Stadium, Naqvi said, “Our objective was to give respect to Bangladesh. People can say whatever they want. There were no conditions.”

He stressed that national interest remained the top priority. “Pakistan comes first, everything else comes later,” he said.

The interior minister said meetings of the Apex Committee had been held, followed by further consultations, to review security and governance matters.

He praised the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for its recent performance, saying it had played a crucial role in maintaining security. “CTD has done outstanding work and deserves full credit,” he said.

Highlighting the province’s contribution to national cricket, Naqvi said nearly 60 per cent of players in the Pakistan team belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“There is immense talent in KP,” he said, adding that two provincial teams were being formed to provide more opportunities to young players.

He said the government was committed to promoting sports and creating platforms for emerging players to progress at national and international levels.

Naqvi also reiterated that security and stability remained central to government policy and that federal and provincial institutions were working closely to address challenges.

China’s influence in Bangladesh, boosted by the 2024 ouster of pro‑India leader Sheikh Hasina, is likely to deepen after this week’s election, although politicians and analysts say India is too large a neighbour to be sidelined completely.

Bangladesh votes on February 12 and the two frontrunner parties have historically had far cooler ties with India than Hasina did during her uninterrupted 15‑year rule from 2009.

Her Awami League party is now banned and she is in self-imposed exile in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, China has stepped up its investment and diplomatic outreach in Dhaka, most recently signing a defence deal to build a drone factory near Bangladesh’s border with India.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen is often seen meeting Bangladeshi politicians, officials and journalists, according to the embassy’s Facebook posts, discussing infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars and other cooperation between the two countries.

“People in Bangladesh see India as complicit with Sheikh Hasina’s crimes,” said Humaiun Kobir, foreign affairs adviser to leading prime ministerial candidate Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

“People will not accept building relations or doing business with a country that is harbouring a terrorist and allowing them to destabilise our country.”

Rahman himself has struck a more conciliatory note, telling Reuters last week: “We’ll try to have friendship with all countries, but of course, protecting the interests of my people and my country.”

Dhaka-Delhi ties have worsened in recent weeks, especially in cricket, the game fervently followed in both countries.

A celebrated Bangladeshi bowler was dropped from an Indian Premier League team after pressure from Hindu groups.

Dhaka retaliated by banning broadcasts of the league, scheduled for March-May.

It also asked that its matches for the February-March men’s cricket World Cup be moved from India to Sri Lanka, but was dropped from the tournament after the International Cricket Council rejected the request.

Both countries have curtailed entry visas to each other, and publicised engagements between Indian and Bangladeshi officials have been rare since Hasina’s fall.

However, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met Rahman in Dhaka in December to offer India’s condolences on the death of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh’s interim government has repeatedly and unsuccessfully asked India to extradite Hasina, especially after a Dhaka court late last year sentenced her to death for ordering a deadly crackdown on the uprising.

A United Nations report estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands wounded, although Hasina has denied ordering the killings.

Steadily building influence

Ahead of the election, the BNP and its closest rival, Jamaat‑e‑Islami, have accused each other of courting foreign interests, with Jamaat alleging the BNP is too close to India, and the BNP pointing to Jamaat’s historic ties with Pakistan, India’s old enemy.

“Not Dilli, not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything,” Rahman, the BNP leader, told a recent rally, referring to New Delhi and Pakistan’s military headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Indian officials have privately acknowledged that with the Awami League out of power, New Delhi must engage whoever forms the next government.

China has been Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for more than a decade, with annual bilateral trade hovering around $18  billion and imports of Chinese goods accounting for nearly 95% of the total.

Chinese companies have also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Bangladesh since Hasina left.

Under Hasina, Indian conglomerates, including the Adani Group, expanded their business in Bangladesh, although no new deals have materialised since.

“China is steadily building its influence both in the open and behind the scenes, benefiting from the crisis in India-Bangladesh relations,” said Constantino Xavier, a senior fellow at New Delhi think tank Centre for Social and Economic Progress.

“China has also been able to capitalise on declining US engagement and Trump’s tariff war, positioning itself as a more credible and predictable economic partner.”

Analysts say Bangladesh is expected to keep strengthening ties with China because it offers more substantial economic incentives, and, unlike Hindu‑majority India, does not get drawn into controversies involving Bangladesh’s Hindu community during periods of unrest.

“If Dhaka and New Delhi are unable to get things back on track, there will be more incentive for the next government in Bangladesh to go full steam ahead with Beijing,” said Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group.

Not severing ties with India

Analysts, however, say deepening engagement with China does not automatically shut out India.

“Bangladesh needs both China and India, and you have to think of it in pragmatic terms,” said Lailufar Yasmin of Dhaka University.

“While ties with China may improve, any party that comes to power will not be imprudent enough to ignore India.”

Bangladesh, bordered by India on three sides and the Bay of Bengal to the south, relies on it for trade, transit and security cooperation, while New Delhi needs stable relations with Dhaka to manage its land border.

Hasina had helped crack down on anti‑India insurgents based in Bangladesh.

Government data shows annual bilateral trade has remained stable at about $13.5 billion, dominated by Indian sales to Bangladesh, despite the political rupture.

Adani has also increased power supplies to Bangladesh in recent months to ease shortages, even though Dhaka has criticised tariffs negotiated under Hasina as too high.

While India helped Bangladesh win independence from Pakistan in 1971, long‑standing grievances include water‑sharing disputes, border killings and resentment over what many Bangladeshis see as India legitimising Hasina’s unpopular rule.

Leaders of the National Citizen Party, a Gen Z‑backed group aligned with Jamaat, have taken a hard line on India.

“It’s not just election rhetoric,” NCP chief Nahid Islam told Reuters.

“New Delhi’s hegemony is deeply felt among young people; it’s one of the main issues of the election.”

Pakistan will play its match against India in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15 in Colombo, the government said on Monday, clearing the way for one of cricket’s most anticipated fixtures.

The announcement came after an International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visited Pakistan over the weekend and held meetings with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the national team’s participation in the match.

The decision was also taken hours after Sri Lanka formally urged Pakistan to play the fixture.

In a post on X, the government said PCB Chairman Naqvi formally briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the outcomes of high-level deliberations involving the PCB, the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

“The government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” it said.

According to the statement, the government also acknowledged remarks by BCB President Aminul Islam, who expressed gratitude to Pakistan, and reaffirmed that Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh.

PM Shehbaz also held a telephone conversation on Monday evening with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The two leaders spoke in a warm and friendly atmosphere, recalling their history of mutual support during challenging times.

The Sri Lankan president requested serious consideration to amicably resolve the prevailing impasse.

Taking into account the outcomes of multilateral talks and the requests of friendly countries, the government directed the Pakistan cricket team to take the field on February 15 for its scheduled World Cup fixture.

The statement said the decision was taken to protect the spirit of cricket and ensure continuity of the global sport across all participating nations.

The prime minister and the people of Pakistan extended their best wishes to the “Men in Green,” expressing confidence that the team would compete with passion, sportsmanship and national pride.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had formally requested Pakistan to play the match against India, calling it essential for the benefit of the global cricket ecosystem.

In a separate statement, the BCB thanked PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB and Pakistani cricket fans for their support during a difficult situation.

BCB President Aminul Islam described Pakistan’s backing as a reflection of brotherly relations and said the decision would serve the broader interests of international cricket.

Prior to the official announcement, PCB Chairman Naqvi had indicated that talks with the ICC and the BCB were ongoing and that several friendly countries were also in contact, saying clarity on the matter would emerge soon.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said negotiations between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board were ongoing, adding that Pakistan would comment after receiving official information.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore after the auction ceremony of Multan Sultans, Naqvi said the issue during the World Cup had primarily been between Bangladesh and the ICC.

“Bangladesh is our brotherly country. We did what was necessary to support them,” he said.

Referring to ongoing talks, he added, “When guests come to your home themselves, many issues are forgotten. We have always learned to respect guests.”

Responding to questions about possible ICC sanctions, Naqvi said neither he nor the government feared threats.

“I am not afraid of threats, nor is the government. And you know the Field Marshal [Syed Asim Munir] as well,” he remarked.

Naqvi said several friendly countries were also in contact on the matter and had been briefed on Pakistan’s position. He expressed confidence that the situation would soon become clear.

Sources said ICC efforts to persuade Pakistan to play India in the T20 World Cup 2026 had entered a critical phase.

In this regard, a four-hour-long meeting was held in Lahore on Sunday between Naqvi and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja. The meeting discussed the World Cup, the proposed Pakistan-India match and other cricket-related matters.

According to sources, the PCB made it clear that it was not seeking any special concessions or benefits but would not remain silent over what it described as injustice towards Bangladesh.

The New York Times has published a detailed report alleging that India’s growing political and commercial influence has tightened its grip over world cricket, triggering controversy during the T20 World Cup and raising questions over the independence of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to the report, the tournament was marred by alleged Indian political interference, with ICC decisions reportedly made under pressure from New Delhi. The newspaper claimed that India had effectively “held global cricket hostage” through its financial and political leverage.

The report said India’s rigid stance led to the cancellation of the high-profile Pakistan-India match, while Pakistan and Bangladesh’s boycotts further damaged the tournament’s credibility.

It added that Pakistan boycotted the match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh and announced on February 15 that it would not play the fixture in Colombo. The government described the move as a “clear stance,” reiterating that sports should remain free from politics.

The New York Times warned that India’s growing monopoly poses a serious threat to the future of international cricket. It noted that the cancellation of the Pakistan-India clash is expected to cause significant financial losses to the ICC, which had projected around $250 million in revenue from the match alone.

The report said sports relations deteriorated further after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, which intensified military tensions between Pakistan and India. It also pointed to strained Bangladesh-India ties following demands for the extradition of Hasina Wajid.

According to the newspaper, India receives nearly 40 per cent of the ICC’s total profits, strengthening its dominance within the sport’s governing body.

The report highlighted that ICC Chairman Jay Shah is the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, describing the father-son duo as a symbol of India’s expanding political influence in cricket.

It also revealed that media rights holder Geo Star is seeking to renegotiate its $3 billion contract with the ICC after suffering heavy losses linked to the tournament’s instability.

The World Health Organisation has said that a woman had died in northern Bangladesh in January after contracting the deadly Nipah virus infection.

The case in Bangladesh, where Nipah cases are reported almost every year, follows two Nipah virus cases identified in neighbouring India, which has already prompted stepped-up airport screenings across Asia.

The patient in Bangladesh, aged between 40 and 50 years, developed symptoms consistent with Nipah virus on January 21, including fever and headache followed by hypersalivation, disorientation and convulsion, the WHO added.

She died a week later and was confirmed to be infected with the virus a day later.

The person had no travel history but had a history of consuming raw date palm sap.

All 35 people who had contact with the patient are being monitored and have tested negative for the virus, and no further cases have been detected to date, the WHO said.

Nipah is an infection that spreads mainly through products contaminated by infected bats, such as fruit.

It can be fatal in up to 75% of cases, but it does not spread easily between people.

Countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan implemented temperature screenings at airports after India said cases of the virus had been found in West Bengal.

The WHO said on Friday that the risk of international disease spread is considered low and that it does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions based on current information.

In 2025, four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases were reported in Bangladesh.

There are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines specific for the infection.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected claims circulating in Indian media that it approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India.

Indian media reports had suggested that Pakistan sought talks with the ICC after being warned of possible legal consequences linked to the boycott decision. The PCB dismissed these reports as factually incorrect and said it had made no such contact.

In a statement issued on social media platform X, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir categorically rejected a claim made by Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta, who alleged that the PCB had reached out to the ICC for dialogue.

“I categorically reject the claim by Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta that PCB approached the ICC. As usual, sections of the Indian media are busy circulating fiction. A little patience and time will clearly show who actually went knocking and who didn’t,” Mir said.

Gupta, in his post, had claimed that the PCB initially wrote to the ICC stating it would pull out of the India match under “force majeure,” attaching a tweet from the Pakistani government. He further alleged that the ICC responded by seeking clarification on the grounds cited and warning of potential legal ramifications and sanctions, after which the PCB supposedly approached the ICC to resolve the issue.

However, the PCB spokesperson said a section of Indian media was once again fabricating stories, adding that time would reveal the facts.

Pakistan’s government has allowed the national team to participate in the T20 World Cup but decided not to play the group match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.

Pakistan decided in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was excluded from the tournament after refusing to play in India over security concerns.

India-Pakistan matches are considered among the most lucrative fixtures in world cricket, generating millions of dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorships and advertising.

Media reports have also claimed that Sri Lanka Cricket has urged Pakistan to reconsider its boycott decision, warning that cancellation of the match would cause financial losses and hurt tourism, which has been recovering since the country’s 2022 economic crisis.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team captain Salman Agha said any decision on a potential India-Pakistan clash in the semi-final or final would be taken after consultations with the government.

Bangladesh’s leading prime ministerial contender, Tarique Rahman, on Friday rejected a proposal from his main rival for a unity government after elections next week, saying his party was confident of winning on its own.

Rahman, 60, who heads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned home in December after nearly two decades in exile in London following a youth-led uprising that toppled long-time leader Sheikh Hasina, a bitter rival of his mother, the country’s first woman prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The BNP’s main rival in the February 12 election is the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami, once banned but now resurgent.

The two parties governed together between 2001 and 2006, and Jamaat has said it is open to renewing the partnership for a unity government to help stabilise the country, whose giant garments industry was badly disrupted by months of turmoil in 2024.

Bangladesh has been run by an interim government since August 2024, when Hasina fled to long-time ally India, where she remains.

“How can I form a government with my political opponents, and then who would be in the opposition?” Rahman said in an interview at his party office, sitting beneath portraits of his mother and his father, a former president.

“I don’t know what will be their seat number, but if they are in the opposition, I hope to have them as a good opposition.”

His aides said the BNP was confident of winning more than two-thirds of the 300 parliamentary seats up for grabs. The party is contesting 292 of them, with allies vying for the rest.

Rahman declined to give a number but said, “We are confident that we’ll have enough to form a government”.

All opinion polls have forecast a BNP victory but also a stiff challenge from the Jamaat alliance, which includes a Gen Z party that emerged from the anti-Hasina protests.

GOOD RELATIONS GLOBALLY

New Delhi’s decision to shelter Hasina, who a Dhaka court last year sentenced to death for her role in a deadly crackdown on the protests, has badly strained Bangladesh-India relations while giving China an opening to expand its investments and political outreach.

Asked whether he would pivot away from India toward China should he win, Rahman said Bangladesh needed partners capable of boosting economic growth for its nearly 175 million people.

“If we are in the government, we need to provide jobs for young people. We need to bring businesses into the country so that jobs can be created and people can have a better life,” he said.

“So whoever, while protecting the interests and sovereignty of Bangladesh, offers what is suitable for my people and my country, we will have friendship with them, not with any particular country.”

On Hasina’s presence in India, Rahman said: “She did commit a crime in the eyes of the law in Bangladesh in 2024. A judgment has been passed, so she must be brought to justice.”

Asked whether Hasina’s children were free to return from abroad and engage in politics, he said: “Whoever is involved in any kind of crime must face the consequences. (But) if someone is accepted by the people, if people welcome them, then anyone has the right to do politics.”

Hasina’s Awami League is banned from contesting the election. Many senior leaders and members of her family were already abroad before her fall, or fled around that time.

ROHINGYA WELCOME TO STAY UNTIL SAFE TO RETURN

Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated countries with high rates of extreme poverty, hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya Muslim refugees, many of whom fled multiple crackdowns in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are treated as outsiders.

The interim government said last year it had no capacity to allocate additional resources for the refugees “given our numerous challenges” and called on the international community to help repatriate them.

Rahman said he too wanted them to return home, but only when conditions were safe.

“We will try to work on the issue so that these people can go back to their own land,” he said. “The situation has to be safe for them to go back there. As long as it is not safe, they are very welcome to stay here.”

West Indies defeated Scotland by 35 runs in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup group match, powered by a destructive spell from Romario Shepherd and an aggressive batting display by Shimron Hetmyer.

Chasing a target of 183 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Scotland were bowled out for 147, falling short despite being well placed midway through the innings.

Earlier, the West Indies posted 182 for 5 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. Hetmyer led the charge with a fluent 64 off 36 balls, hitting six sixes.

Sherfane Rutherford added 26, while Rovman Powell contributed 24. For Scotland, Brad Currie picked up two wickets.

In reply, Scotland showed resistance and at one stage were 114 for 3, needing 69 runs off 42 balls. The match turned dramatically in the 17th over when Romario Shepherd tore through the batting line-up, claiming four wickets in the over.

Shepherd finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 20, triggering a collapse that ended Scotland’s chase. Brandon McMullen top-scored for Scotland with 42 off 24 balls, but his effort was not enough to prevent defeat.

West Indies were sharp in the field as well. Hetmyer highlighted the effort with a stunning one-handed catch on the leg side to dismiss George Munsey.

It is worth noting that Scotland were invited to participate in the World Cup after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament. Bangladesh declined to play in India, citing security concerns.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, saying hostile elements and “khawarij” were trying to hinder Pakistan’s development, but the nation and its armed forces would defeat them.

Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan had carried out attacks in Balochistan, to which security forces responded forcefully.

He said that in retaliatory operations over the past three to four days, around 200 militants were killed.

The prime minister said 17 security personnel and 31 civilians were martyred in the attacks. He added that five women and children were killed in Gwadar.

Referring to “Maarka-e-Haq”, he said the enemy had been defeated and condemned attacks on unarmed civilians, calling the perpetrators “stone-hearted” and inhuman.

He said the sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain and that terrorism would be eliminated from the country.

PM Shehbaz said the entire nation stood united like a “wall of lead” against terrorism and expressed grief over the killing of workers and children.

He said the state would take responsibility for the welfare and upbringing of the children of martyrs and that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its “great sons”.

The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan’s “eastern neighbour and khawarij” wanted to obstruct the country’s path to development and prosperity.

He also said the nation would continue to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

He informed the cabinet about his meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying the discussion was constructive and that the federal government would fully cooperate with the province.

On sports diplomacy, the prime minister said Pakistan had taken a clear and well-considered position in the T20 World Cup by deciding not to play a bilateral match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh.

He said politics should not be mixed with sports.

PM Shehbaz also said Pakistan had agreed with Kazakhstan on a $1 billion trade target and that the Kazakh president had invited him for a visit. He expressed hope that economic ties with Kazakhstan would grow rapidly.

He added that Uzbekistan’s president was arriving in Pakistan on Thursday and that both sides were committed to strengthening relations.

Referring to recent tensions involving Iran and the United States, the prime minister said Pakistan had played a “brotherly” and responsible role to promote dialogue and de-escalation.

He said he, the deputy prime minister and the army chief had held in-person meetings and telephone conversations with Iranian leaders at various times.

He added that Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia were also involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve regional tensions through dialogue and ensure lasting peace.

Cabinet approves committees’ decisions

Meanwhile, an official statement issued after the cabinet meeting said the cabinet gave in-principle approval to decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee on February 3, the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises on January 9, and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on January 29.

According to the statement, the prime minister told cabinet members that the federal government, with the support of provinces, institutions and the public, was fully committed to eradicating terrorism.

He also conveyed the government’s solidarity with Kashmiris on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The meeting began with prayers for the departed soul of Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and for civilians, security personnel and law enforcement officials martyred in recent attacks in Balochistan.

The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to federal-provincial coordination for national development and briefed the cabinet on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with friendly countries, including the recent visit of the Kazakh president and the upcoming visit of the Uzbek president.